This article is the seventh post in our "Media Monday" series highlighting the ways publishers can optimize their presence in the AQ Catalog. Because previous posts have discussed topics like images, design symbols, catalogs and other files that can become quite large, we thought a post about sending “mass quantities” of data to us would be helpful.
Emails
The most convenient way to send files is as email attachments. In general, though, email wasn’t really designed to transmit larger files. Most email providers limit attachments to 20-25MB, which can get eaten up pretty quickly by images and catalog pages. But for smaller transmittals, it’s certainly the way to go.
File sharing services
There are a number of file-sharing services available. Not an endorsement or recommendation, but Dropbox is a service that the Content Department is most familiar with and has used most often. Many people think you need a Dropbox account to participate, but that is not the case. (Of course, it’s very helpful if you already have an account.) After talking with your Content Manager and our Media Team, we can initiate a Dropbox link/request to you. You upload the files to our request and send – it’s as simple as that.
File Transfer Protocol
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard, commonly used set of procedures for uploading and transmitting files between computers over the Internet. This method requires some, but minimal, technical expertise and resources on your part, such as creating the data files for upload and setting up the transmitting process. AutoQuotes can provide guidance on FTP procedures. A benefit is that once initiated, the FTP can stay in place, meaning it can be used any number of times over a long period.
“Old school”
It’s not the best or most efficient method, but in a pinch, we will accept flash drives or compact disks delivered to us.
The bottom line is this – your customers are looking for media that augments your AQ Catalog listings. We’ll work with you to ensure a smooth transfer of media data from your computers to ours, in whatever way works best for you. If you have questions about this post, email catalogmedia@aqnet.com. All data file submissions should be coordinated with your Content Manager.