AQX Data Connection Types

MANAGING AQX

NOTES FOR NIELSEN MARKETS

Contents

GENERAL INFORMATION

AQX Data Connection Types

Interface Overview

Important Notes

Standard Report and File Distribution (NMR Only)

Distributing AQX (NMR Only)

FusionSystemManager

AQX Server Statistics Module

‘New’ Reports – Changing the Default

Managing the Server

Data Entitlements

Installing AQX

Publishing ‘News’ to AQX Users

Special Settings

GENERAL INFORMATION

Foreword

Welcome to AQX, the fourth generation of Landsberry and James’ ADEX analysis platform. AQX has been painstakingly crafted from the ground up to deliver a much simpler product with uncompromised functionality and power. You will instantly appreciate the fresh clutter-free interface. AQX boasts the ultimate user experience without jeopardizing any of the functionality of our prior systems.

What is ‘AQX’ and ‘Fusion’?

Within this document you will have references to ‘AQX’ and ‘Fusion’. You might be confused by the difference between the two. It is easiest to think about the relationship between AQX and Fusion as being similar to the relationship between Microsoft Office and Excel. Microsoft office is like Fusion. It is the general framework that supports different modules. AQX is an ADEX analysis module (the first module) that sits within the fusion framework. This design allows for further modules to potentially be added into the fusion framework in the future that will seamlessly integrate.

This Version

This is version 4.0.0.0 of AQX, it is a ‘General Availability Release’ ready for your clients to utilizeit is complete in terms of features and functionality. Many new features have also been recently added. Please refer to the release notes section of this document.

Components

This AQX releaseis made up of threecomponents, the ‘AQX Client software’, the AQX Compatible ‘AM Server software’ and the AQX Compatible ‘Processing System’. This all works in a fairly similar way to AdQuest Millennium.

AQX Client

You have been supplied with the ‘AQX_ClientInstall_2.0.0.3_Local.exe’. This is the install for the AQXvisual interface with which the user interacts when formatting, saving, batching and exporting reports. When reports are ready to be processed the AQX client formats the request and passes the request to the server component. The AQX Client then waits for the results, formats the results into the required layout which is displayed on the user’s machine.

AM Server

This new 2.0.0.3 version of AQX WILL require the provided ‘AQX_AMServer_2.0.0.3.exe’. The AM server is the processing workhorse. The server’s only job is to receive the data request, locate the appropriate results from within the raw data and then send the results back to the AQX client to display. The AQX version 2.0.0.3 uses the same base server as AdQuest Millennium with some minor tweaks. This means that as long as your Millennium version is 1.10.18.0 or higher it will also connect to the AQX Compatible version of the server supplied as well. The Server can be utilized either with local data on the users machine or via the web to your hosted service in the same manner as AdQuest Millennium.

Processing System

Included is the ‘AQX_ProcessingSystem_2.0.0.0.exe’ (2.0.0.3 is required for Malaysia and China). The processing system converts the NMR data into AQX Compatible data formats. AQX version 2.0.0.3uses basically the same processing system as AdQuest Millennium with some minor tweaks. This means that as long as your Millennium version is 1.10.18.0 or higher it will also be able to use the same data produced from the supplied processing system.

AQX Data Connection Types

Like AdQuest Millennium, users can connect AQX to a data sources in a number of ways. The connection type is determined at install time, however it can be changed after install using the ‘FusionSystemManager’ shortcut located in the <AQX Install>\LandsberryAndJames folder.

Alternatively the connection type can be changed by altering the ‘FusionSystem.ini’ located in the <AQX Install>\LandsberryAndJames\Fusion\System folder using these settings:

AQX web server connection: ConnectionType=0

AQX local data connection: ConnectionType=3

AQX Web Server Connection

AQX can connect to a hosted web service to retrieve the data. A web connection is required and data can be automatically updated when made available by NMR.

AQX Local Data Connection

AQX can connect to the data locally on the user’s machine or network. A web connection is not required however a full dataset will need to be received each time data updates are available.

Multiple Data Sources

AQX now also supports the use of multiple data sources within the one version of AQX. If AQX has multiple data sources included they will have the option to switch between the databases by selecting “Settings -> Select Data Source ->”

For more information please see the ‘Special Settings’ section at page 53and the ‘‘Add Data Source’ section within the AQX version builder section of this document (page39).

Interface Overview

Main Toolbar

New: Create a new report workspace

Import: Import AQX or AdQuest Millennium Packaged files

Export: Export report results to a variety of formats including Excel and PowerPoint.

Play: Processes the current report or batch schedule.

Batch: Launches ‘Batching’ mode, this allows users to easily run large sets of reports quickly or schedule for automatic processing.

Settings: Allows users to adjust a multitude of system or report settings.

Help & User Manual

(Internet connection is required) AQX delivers the user manual and help system as an online service accessed directly through the AQX interface. Simply click on the ‘Help’ button on the main Toolbar. Users can then browse of search the help system without leaving the AQX interface. The Help system is a work in progress and is being constantly updated by our team. At present most major functionality is included.

Selection Tabs

The selection tabs allow the users to filter their reports by the selection made within the tab. If nothing is selected within a tab then everything within that tab is ‘on’ by default, except for ‘Period’ which defaults to the YTD if no selection is made. (Eg - if you do not select anything in the dictionary tab then all items within the dictionary hierarchy are used).

Sub Menu

The orange sub menu bar is used by the Period and Report tabs, it allows extra filtering options to be selected and applied. (Special reports that require an ‘Analysis Level’ like the Exception Report, add a drop down to select this in the sub menu).

In the case of the period tab the items on the sub menu bar are fixed to filter Start of Year, Start of Week, Day of Week and select either Actual or Relative Period types.

In the case of the Report tab, sub filters are applied to the sub menu dynamically when certain items are added to the layout. This then allows users to filter these levels further on the Report tab using the sub menu. Examples of this are Dictionary and Media levels(not including the ‘As Selected’ items).

File Manager

The file manager allows users to order, group, search and open the files saved within each selection tab. When a file is saved from within any ‘Selection Tab’ it will appear at the root level of the ‘User’ slider within the file manager.

An extra slider level is added to the top of the file manager in the report tab (only when a report is open). This level is called ‘Layout Assets’. The ‘Layout Assets’ tree works much like the Millennium report designer window. It allows users to add (or remove) items to a report with a drag or a double click.

The file manager is broken up into additional levels to help control and organize saved files. These levels areSupplier, Site, User, Other User.

Supplier level

Only able to be added to or adjusted by NMR supplier level users. (See section below on using the FusionSystemManager to find out how to enable Supplier level)

Site level

Site files can be added or adjusted by Site level usersand saved at this level. Please also note that sub levels can be added to the Site level to further control what users can access. (Eg -Within the site level, sub groups of ‘Coca Cola’ or ‘Unilever’ could be added. Users can then be assigned access to these lower levels with either read or write access. Users will only be able to view files and share files with common users within their assigned groups. See FusionSystemManager section for full details).

User Level

User files can only be Added or Adjusted by theuser who created these files or by site level users.Other users within the same group can use the files but cannot modify the originals (See FusionSystemManager section for full details).

Advanced File Tree Mode

An advanced file tree mode has been added to the left hand file manager of the Dictionary, Period and Media tabs (+ System Filters for Italy).

This advanced file manager mode will allow users to do the following without having to open the file. All the right click options are also available in the advanced file tree mode.

a)Add new files or to items to existing files

b)Modify files

c)Delete files

d)Move files

e)Copy files

f)Browse file contents

The advanced file tree mode is accessed by hovering over a slider bar, and selecting the advanced icon. Once in Advanced mode files will be able to be expanded and modified.

Full instructions on the full features of the advanced file tree mode are available in the help menu.

Layout Area

The AQX layout area is the flexible grid that allows users to create reports with infinite flexibility. It is similar to the Millennium grid but far more powerful. Items are added to the grid with Drag/Drop from the ‘Layout Assets’ window or by double clicking from the ‘Layout Assets’ window. Unlike Millennium, the same item can be added to the grid more than once. You can also copy layout items already on the grid using Drag + CTRL key.

Layout Tabs

AQX supports more than one layout per workspace. This means that if you have made all your selections and you would like two versions of the same data with slightly different displays, you can simply add a second layout and build another view of the same data. When the report workspace is saved it will save all the layouts with it.

Report workspace tabs

The workspace tabs allows users to have more than one full report workspace open at a time. Each workspace has an independent set of selection tabs so you can have completely independent Dictionary, Media, Period (etc) selections per report workspace.

To open multiple workspaces at the same time simply select the files you would like to open in your ‘Report Tab’ file browser using Shift or CTRL and then drag the files into the layout area. The workspaces will then open.

Important Notes

Tabs selection WILL filter the report

Unlike Millennium a tab selection will filter the results of that workspace regardless of whether ‘As Selected’ or any other relevant item from the relevant tab is selected on the layout or not. The only exception to this is if saved files are added to the report directly from the ‘Layout Assets’ e.g:

In this example, the ‘Colas selection will not be filtered by the selection on the dictionary tab.

MillenniumPackage Files will import into AQX

The Import (Select ‘Import’ on main toolbar) feature within AQX will accept Millennium Packaged files .AMX or AQX Packaged Files .AQZ.

Calculated Columns will not import from Millennium

Due to the differences in the way Millennium and AQX utilize calculated columns, imported files will need to have the Calculated columns re added in AQX.

Package Files - Note

Unpacked files will always unpack at the root of the ‘User’ level of the File Management tree. A folder will be created with the date and time of unpack/import and the files will reside within that folder. If overwriting existing files, the position within the folder structure will be maintained when the file unpacks over the top. The folder will not be created for files that are forced to unpack at the supplier level.

Saving Files – Note

Saving files by using the save button will always save the file at the root of the ‘User’ level in the File Management tree. Users can then reposition the files as they desire.

New Data Location of ‘MF_*’ folders

AQX uses the same MF_xxxxxxxxxx data folder and Version.dat format as AdQuest Millennium. However the location of this ‘MF_xxxxxxxxxx’ folder and ‘Version.dat’ has changed. The new location is:

<AQX Install Location>\LandsberryAndJames\Fusion\AQX\<xxx>\Data\

The folder name <xxx> is defined in the FusionSystem.ini at this section:

[DataSource_xx]

AqxData=xxx

Standard Report and File Distribution (NMR Only)

AQX has a special new feature which allows NMR countries to easily setup and distribute files (Reports, Dictionaries etc) that are saved at the ‘Supplier’ level. This process creates a distribution package called “AqxOtherFiles.ljz”. This package can then be easily pushed out to web server clients or distributed through the ‘AQX Version Builder’ for local or initial install packages. This process will describe how to create the package and then distribute it via the web server. Please see the AQX Version Builder section of this document on page 35 to learn how to package this file (once it is created using these steps) into the manual update package:

1. The new server installation package comes with an ‘AQX Master Install’ included by default. Locate and launch the master install here:

<AQX Server Install Location>\Landsberry And James\AdQuest Millennium Server\AQX_Master_Install\LandsberryAndJames\Fusion\Bin\Fusion.exe

When using the master install you will be given the special ability to save reports and other files at eth “Supplier” level of the AQX file manager. You will also get a special ‘Export’ option.

1. Open a new workspace - From the main menu select, New -> AQX Standard Report.

1. Create or alter any Report files, Dictionary files, Media files, Period files etc that you would like your end users to receive (this will works for all file types on all tabs on the main toolbar).

1. Arrange the files in the ‘Supplier’ level of the file management system (do this for each tab)in the order and folder structure that you would like your users to see the files. You add items to the supplier level by “Copying/Cutting or Dragging the files from the other levels)

1. If you need to alter an existing file that has been published previously, simply open the file from the supplier level, make the changes and save the file.

1. Once all your files are in the correct order open the ‘Export’ option on the main toolbar. Select the ‘Generate ‘Other Files Update’ option (this option will only appear if you are logged into the master install). A dialogue window will open.

1. The top section of the window will show the various tabs that have had supplier levels included. If you wish to not push out a particular types of file you can disable it with the checkbox. The “Theme” and “Update Launch Message” options will always be available.
2. Theme: Enabling this option will push out any changes to the AQX theme folder.
3. Update Launch Message: Enabling this option will push out the message displayed in the ‘Launch Message’ box. This message will be displayed to your users EVERY time they login (they will have to accept the message). To remove a launch message redistribute an ‘otherfile’ package with the ‘Update Launch Message’ checkbox turned on, but leave the ‘Launch Message’ blank.

1. Select a location to publish the “AqxOtherFiles.ljz” and “aqxotherfiles_version.dat” package files too. If you publish them to the server ‘Update’ folder then they will be automatically distributed to web server users without additional steps. If you wish to distribute the filesmanually, follow sub steps a-g, to distribute automatically through the AQX interface jump to step 9.

1. Within the window there is a ‘Publish to folder’ path. Browse to anywhere you would like to save these files.
2. Turn off the ‘Restart AQX Server’ checkbox.
3. Select Ok.
4. Two files will be created at your selected path, these files are ‘AqxOtherFiles.ljz’ and ‘aqxotherfiles_version.dat’
5. When you are ready to update the server manually, copy these files to the folder: <Server Install>\Update
6. Restart your AQX server service
7. The updated files will now be pushed to the clients next time they login to AQX.

1. Point the ‘Publish To Folder’ path at your server machine at thefollowing folder: <Server Install>\Update

1. Check the options and ensure the ‘Server’ name and ‘Service Name’ is correct. The ‘Server’ is the exact name of the AQX server machine or the IP address of the AQX server machine. The ‘Service Name’ can be double checked by browsing to the <Server Install>\Web folder and copying the name of the .dll file. This information will save for future updates.

1. Only check the ‘Restart AQX Service’ if you are ready to update the files NOW.Click ‘Ok’.The updated files will now be pushed to the clients next time they login to AQX.

(If the restart fails you will be notified and you will need to manually restart the AQX server service manually).