This program can run on either a Workstation or a Server as long as it has access to the shared DAD directory and the logs to be imported.

Rules are created specifying the file name of the logs to be imported, the DAD Playlist name along with other station specific settings. Within the rule, an Alert notification can be sent to one or more workstations when a log has been successfully imported. One can also have an Alert sent if the log has not been created for the next day.

AutoLog is a purchase option. For more details, please contact ENCO Sales at 248.827.4440 Option 3.

Getting Started

AutoLog can use your existing Import or Merge filters. An Import filter will convert a Traffic log into a DAD Playlist. A Merge filter will import both a Music and Traffic log, then merge them together to create a single Playlist file. These filters are customized for each station. The actual filter itself is a DLL file. Typically the Import filter will be found in the C:\DAD directory as Import.DLL. The Merge filter can be found in the C:\DAD\Merge directory as Merge32.DLL.

Before we can create a Rule for AutoLog, we need to make a copy of the DLL file.

Lets create a directory for the copied DLL. On the machine that will run the AutoLog program, create a folder called FILTERS within the C:\DAD\AutoLog directory. Next, make a folder for this stations filter.

For example:
C:\DAD\AutoLog\Filters\WJR

On the workstations that run Import or Merge, Open My Computer and navigate to the proper directory for your filter.

• For Imports, go to:   C:\DAD  - look for Import.DLL
• For Merges, go to:  C:\DAD\Merge  - look for Merge32.DLL

Save a copy of the DLL into the Stations folder.

For example you should have:
C:\DAD\AutoLog\Filters\WJR\Import.DLL

Make note of the Station's folder name as this will get entered into a path within the Rule.

Finding Import Filter Numbers

Next, if you are using an existing Import filter, you will need to know the Filter Number. This will be used in conjunction with the Import Filter mentioned directly above.

There are two locations one can find the Import Filter Number - from within the existing Import program (if used) or from within DAD (is Importing from within DAD).

If you are using an Import calendar program to import your logs, one will typically fine the Import.INI file within the C:\DAD directory. This file will look similar to the following example:

[Type1]
Name = WYYY Traffic
FileMask = F:\dad\import\@M@D@Ys2.log
Filter = 3
Location = DAD

[Type2]
Name = WXXX Music
FileMask = F:\dad\import\@M@D@Ym1.mus
Filter = 4
Location = DAD

Note that the Filter Number is different for each station. This number will be used in the Setup and creation of the Auto Import Rule.

 

The other location you might have the Filter Number listed is within the DAD Configuration file. This would be the case if your are directly importing a playlist from within the DAD Library Playlist Modify screen.  To check this, go to Library then PLAYLIST. In the Main Playlist Modify screen press PLAYLIST again. On the left there is a button for IMPORT. Press this button to open the Import Playlist screen. Here you will see any Filter Types you have defined. Make note of any Import Numbers as they will be used when creating a Rule.

Now, you should be ready to Create a Rule.

Creating a Rule

Here one can press CREATE/EDIT button to add a new rule or select an existing rule and modify it's settings.

Pressing FORCE TODAY will force AutoLog to re-import today's log.

CAUTION: One should exercise caution when using Force Today. This action will re-import the log and any changes made to Playlist within DAD would be lost.

Selecting a rule and pressing DELETE will prompt you before removing that rule.

This screen  is broken down into four sections.

• General Info
• File Naming and Playlist Info
• Log Processing
• DAD Notification

The General information section allows you to set basic defaults such as the DAD Library database location, DAD Location and Merge or Import Filter location.

• Enter a description for the rule.



• The Database Location will be a drive letter and path for where the DAD Library files reside. Typically this is F:\DAD\Files.



• The DAD Location directly refers to the NAME and LOCATION environment variables for the workstation that will use the log created. AutoLog will use these to look up the Default Segue options within that workstations CFI file.



• Merge / Import Subfolder
- This will be a directory name for which the Import DLL mentioned above will be saved. AutoLog will look in this directory for the DLL file.


AutoLog assumes that the directory will be within the working directory of the AutoLog application and within the \FILTERS folder.  The Import directory cannot be a path and must be a single directory only. 

 

• Import Filter #
- This will be the Filter Number for your Import. This would have been the number found in the process described above.  Enter the appropriate number here.

This section is for defining the logs to be imported.

• The Music File Name and Path refers to the drive letter, directory path and file name for the Music log. 

If this field is used without data in the Traffic field, then an Import of the Music log will occur. If this field is populated along with the Traffic field, then a Merge will be performed. The Merge will only be performed when the system is able to locate both the Music AND Traffic files for the same day. If one of the logs is missing for that day, the application will wait until both logs are available to perform the Merge.

• Traffic File Name and Path works the the same as the previously described Music File Name. Enter the name and path for the Traffic log. 

One can use wildcard characters in place of date. Commonly used wildcards are: @M - Two digit month as in 02 for February. @D - Two digit day of the month. @Y - Last two digits of the year as in 10 for 2010.  @C - First two digits of the year as in 20 for 2010. @W - Three letter day of the week as in FRI for Friday.

• The DAD Playlist Name will be the playlist name found in DAD. All playlists must be eight characters or less.

If you are using an Import or Merge, you must enter the Name of your current playlists. Existing Import filters cannot have their name changed via this interface. This application will however use the existing name to determine if the log has been imported by a set time or not and send a Notification if needed.

• The DAD Playlist Description simply adds the entered description into the Playlist database. Enter your description here.

• DAD Playlist Group is not often used but if desired, you may enter a Group name. Some stations do this to 'filter' playlist for stations based upon Group name

This section allows you to set defaults for overall processing of this rule.

• To enable or disable this rule, either uncheck or check the Rule Enabled option.

• Allow Same Day Import is an option that will automatically Import or Merge the log for the current day. 

If Traffic or Music re-sends the current days log, it will be re-imported or merged which could overwrite any existing Voice Tracks or changes made to the list.

Here, you can set a time of day to notify specific workstations if a log has NOT been created for the next day.  By default, the application will look at the next day for Monday through Friday. On Friday, the application will look ahead for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

• Check the 'Notify if DAD playlist does not exist' if you would like to have an Alert Message sent if the playlist does not exist.



• Enter the time of day to perform the check in the 'at (time)' field.



• You may enter up to four DAD workstation locations to send an Alert message to in the event a log is missing. All workstation names must be separated by a comma.

Running the Application

At this point the program will scan your rule every couple of minutes based upon the time you entered to see if an logs have been created. Once they have, the AutoLog program will automatically Import or Merge the files, creating a DAD Playlist.