One time saving feature gives operators the ability to enter ad copy and get a price quote without the time consuming task of entering all of the customer information required for billing. That way, if the caller decides not to purchase the ad it can simply be canceled. Only when the customer decides to purchase the ad is it necessary to enter all of the customer information.

ClassSpeed users have the ability to set up grids by both section and edition, as well as by edition alone. Example of use: classified is an 85 points column but a rep schedules an ad to run ROP size (126 points wide column) for obits. The system will price size (width) based on the grid used.

Operators can add variations and different formatting to an ad within a single order form. Making upsells super simple to do. For example, a package of different variations of an ad for a single customer can be scheduled in a single order with the rotating ad feature. The purpose of this feature is to allow an operator to schedule an ad and link it to other versions for pagination purposes such as a line ad, which publishes during the week; and a display on the weekend. Or, a display ad that runs black and white during the week, and color on weekends. This feature also includes the ability to have a different version publish based on the edition involved.

Rating features make it much simple for newspapers to charge for specific enhancements by charging for small variations. For instance, ClassSpeed provides the ability to set up bold rate cards that increase as the size of type increases. This allows a scale that prices different based on the point size used. Another feature enables newspapers to charge by day of week as well as edition. Color can be higher on Sunday than weekdays, for example. Operators also have the ability to assign color to line ads from inside ClassSpeed. Prices are based on the number of colors used in the ad text. ClassSpeed can also price background color.

ClassSpeed also has the ability to schedule multiple ads for the same date and edition and have one ad run in “x” number of copies and have the other version complete the run. This is functionality used a great deal by “national” papers, like USA Today, Daily Telegraph in Europe, etc.

Scheduling and managing preprints is also easy in ClassSpeed. Scheduling can be done by truck route, zip code or area (carrier route). What operators see in the scheduling screen is based on whether they choose to see information by truck route, zip code or area (which could also represent carrier route if preferred by site). Finally, there are specific rate tables for inserts that cost on a “per thousand” basis. ClassSpeed has varios Internet publishing capabilities. Web deadlines can be distinguished within the system from print deadlines. For example, as a safety precaution earlier deadlines can be assigned to ads that are entered over the Internet because they might require extra time for review before being published. A form in ClassSpeed Order Entry allows operators to schedule and rate banner and button ads for the Web. The form includes rate tables to price ads by “views” rather than schedule.

The Management and reporting strengths of the ClassSpeed system are extensive. One report allows managers to monitor the daily activity of each ad operator. The report shows everything an ad operator did during the day including new ads taken and tasks handled.

Sites also have the ability to setup campaigns, or special sales projects, and monitor the performance of each sales rep or the entire department. This set of features allows sites to set up a quota for the project, based on ad count, linage and revenue, and see how each rep is performing towards that goal at any time. Annual quotas can also be set up for each sales rep and itemized by customer, by month, by ad count, by revenue and by lineage per month. Only those with certain user privileges can view the results.

User profiles also have group functionality. This means a site can create a type of user and assign multiple logons to that profile, rather than entering a separate profile for each operator individually. User profiles help determine the access privileges the operator has while logged into the system.

ClassSpeed is one of the best selling classified advertising solutions on the market today. It is popular among newspapers of all sizes from the largest metros to the smallest dailies and it has been installed at newspapers throughout the world.