Email and the Internet have changed client expectations of what is possible when it comes to project work and communication. Often such expectations exceed what is currently feasible using online system. This is especially true for managing and communicating large creative work files and assets. With exception, most work is digital. At some point, work product must change hands.

Key issues for large digital creative assets are file integrity and timely access.

For example, a graphic artist created several large sign wraps for a new client campaign. The ad campaign is date sensitive so print production scheduling is critical to ad campaign release. With time to spare, the graphic artist completed work on the wraps. Owing to the ad print size, the actual creative files are very large, up to 100 MB or more per ad piece. The challenge now is to send the work. The creative artist is located in Seattle and the client is in Chicago. To transfer the work, the creative burns and sends a CD by overnight delivery to the client. After the work is approved, the client sends the CD to print-house, also in Chicago.

Since all the timelines where satisfied, the expectation is that the ads will print and be delivered to the client in time to execute the campaign per the time sensitive target date. But then the graphic artist receives a frantic phone call from the client. The production house, when setting up the print run, discovered that they “lost” the CD with the ad wrap files. The issue is if they can’t make the print run today, they will have to reschedule for several weeks because of other print jobs in queue. This delay will ruin the time sensitive message of the ad campaign. Since the client did not make a copy of the CD, is there any way possible for the graphic artist to get a new set of files to the print house now.

Museworx OS provides a simple solution to this situation. Email transfer is not possible due to files sizes. And although ftp is a potential option, issuer issues and problems with login, access and use ftp software and sites make this less desirable than a simple-one-step solution. Using Museworx file share, the graphic artist is able to transfer all the ad wrap files to the print house (and to the client for backup) in just a few minutes. Without the need for software or learning a new system, the print house is able to receive the Museworx file share email message, click on the file links, and download all the ad wrap files within minutes of the call going out for replacement files. After confirming deliver of the files, the graphic artist used Museworx digital asset manager to turn off the file download links to prevent unauthorized file access and use.

The net result is secure, immediate transfer of large original creative files to the client specified recipient without the limitations of email, potential difficulties of ftp usage, or delay of package delivery.

This example highlights three growing demands within the marketing industry:

1. The ability to securely transfer ever larger creative files and digital assets
2. The need to overcome email limitations and client difficulties using ftp; and
3. The desire to simplify direct transfer of large native files while maintaining creative asset integrity.