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Recording of July Webcast with Program Manager Shamit Patel On adCenter API Version 5.1 Update

-Chris

adCenter API V5/V5.1 Deadlines approaching - Are you Ready?

Can you believe it is June already?  Back when we released Version 5 of the adCenter API in February (February 14th actually) the summer felt so far away.   But, June 3rd reminds us that summer is HERE, and that the deadlines for upgrading your adCenter API-Enabled applications to Version 5/5.1 are approaching fast!

So, we here at the adCenter API Blog have put together some answers for you about the upgrade and encourage you to take a minute to make sure you're on course for the updgrades.

Q. Version 5.1 - What is this?

A. adCenter API users should be receiving email communications from us today regarding an update to the Version 5 adCenter API,  Version 5.1.  The version is highlighted by 3 small changes:

1. A change in the keywordID data type from an Int to a Long.
2. Updates to the Campaign Management Web service to support future expansion of the adCenter API.
3. Updates to all of the WSDL's to put the v5.1 into their URL's.

Q. What's the reason for these changes when you just came out with a major upgrade in February 08?

A. Since we released Version 5 we have been actively evaluating Version 5 and are making ongoing tweaks and adjustments to ensure that the Microsoft adCenter API is operating as expected. We have identified areas in the CampaignManagement WSDL that need additional improvements. At this time, we have not found an immediate need to update the other WSDLs, Administration, CustomerManagement, NotificationManagement, and Reporting. 

The good news here is that while we reserve the possibility of an upgrade as we continue to tune and tweak, we are currently not planning any more upgrades in Calendar 2008. 

Q. Wait, I've already implemented V5.  Do I have to make more changes for V5.1?

A. Yes, if you've already implemented adCenter API version 5 in your adCenter API-enabled applications, you need to update your applications to use version 5.1 by June 29, 2008.  This is a firm date for the change. 

Q. But, what if I am WORKING ON Version 5 implementation right now?

A. The overall deadline set back in Feburary for the update to Version 5 of the adCenter API was August, 14, 2008.  That date still stands today.  Now however, you need to bring your adCenter API-Enabled applications up to V5.1 by that deadline.  Remember, adCenter API Version 5 support will end on June 29th, 2008. 

Q. What if I haven't started on Version 5 yet?

A. The short answer here is, we need you to get going.  We are recommending that you are ready for implementation (testing, etc.) for now version 5.1 of the adCenter API approximately 30 days prior to the August 14, 2008 date.  That means we're approximately 6 weeks from what we hope is a completion date for your updates. 

Q.Yikes! I need help. What are my options?

Luckily, we ARE here to help.  Here are some resources for you to get going:

• First step is to click over to the freshly updated MSDN adCenter API Docs.  They've got all of the details on what you need to do to get going.
• We have lots of good samples for V5/5.1 here in the adCenter API blog as in a variety of supported languages.  Watch the blog for more to come as new examples are published. 
• We've been running monthly Live Meeting's with the Senior Project management team from the adCenter API, all of which are recorded and posted here on adCentercommunity.com.   Here's a link to the May Session for a good question and answer session, as well as some background on the V5.1 changes.  Our next session is scheduled for June 17, 2008.
• Contact your service team members!  Members of the API Technical Support and adCenter client service teams are here to help.  If you have questions, challenges, etc. now is the time to get in touch with us.  We can get you the resources you need to facilitate this upgrade.

Summary:

We are excited about the new features we have to offer in the Version 5/5.1 upgrade.  However, we definitely understand that enabling these requires changes in your applications.   With the announcement of the Version 5 release back in February we allowed 180 days of upgrade time prior to shutting down V4 support.  We're approaching that deadline however, so if you haven't gotten started on this upgrade, now is the time.  Good luck, and as always thanks for choosing to support the adCenter platform via the adCenter API.

Cheers,

Bill

Webcast recording from adCenter API v5 update Live Meeting

In last week's webcast, Program Manager Shamit Patel  emphasized the deadline for API users to update code to use version 5 of the adCenter API. His point was that developers should update soon to allow time for testing and troubleshooting implementation of the new code. With summer vacations approaching, now is the time to move to V5.

The Live Meeting last week discussed some new questions from customers and included a walkthrough of the basic changes. View the Webcast below in Silverlight streaming media. Or download the video with the link below.

-Thanks

Chris

Slides and Notes from adCenter API V5 Presentation

Those of you who attended the Live Meeting conference on Tuesday had a chance to talk with Shamit Patel, the program manager leading API development for adCenter. We appreciate your taking the time to learn more about the new version and to share your questions and requests. I've attached the PowerPoint slides and notes from the presentation. I will upload the recording of Shamit's session in the next couple days.

Thank you,

-Chris

Recording of adCenter API V5 Live Meeting Webcast is Now Online

The recording of our February webcast with Gopal Madhavan, senior development lead, is now available for viewing online. Gopal discussed the upgrade to V5 in the first of a series of monthly webcasts. Our next Live Meeting is coming up March 18th . It's a good chance to talk with the development team and get helpful advice on the upgrade or other questions.

http://www.adcentercommunity.com/blogs/api/archive/2008/03/09/recording-of-adcenter-api-v5-live-meeting-webcast-is-now-online.aspx

.NET Framework Versions With adCenter API Version 5

Posted: March 05

Hello,

The adCenter API topic, Getting Started with the Microsoft adCenter API, describes how to use version 5 of the adCenter API with Visual Studio 2005. It has become apparent, however, that this topic is causing some confusion about the versions of the .NET Framework that can or must be used.

.NET Framework 3.0 is an addendum to .NET Framework 2.0 which adds, among other items, the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) components. .NET Framework 3.0 does not replace .NET Framework 2.0. The WCF assemblies are required to use adCenter API V5 with the .NET languages. .NET Framework 3.0 also adds the System.ServiceModel namespace, which contains the FaultException class. It is not required to use the FaultException class, but you will not be able to take advantage of the new error reporting functionality in adCenter API V5 if you don't. You will still use .NET Framework 2.0 for the majority of your application.

I will update the topic, but the update will not be published to MSDN until the next scheduled update.

Thank You,

Strohm Armstrong
Programming Writer
adCenter API

V5 samples written in Perl released to MSDN

Posted: February 28

Hello!

We've added V5 campaign management and reporting samples written in Perl to our Microsoft adCenter API documentation on MSDN:

• Hello Microsoft adCenter Sample in Perl (V5)
• How to Check the Status of an Ad Group in Perl (V5)
• How to Create Ad Groups in Perl (V5)
• How to Create Ads in Perl (V5)
• How to Create Campaigns in Perl (V5)
• How to Create Keywords in Perl (V5)
• How to Request and Download a Keyword Performance Report in Perl (V5)
• How to Submit an Ad Group for Approval in Perl (V5)

This list of V5 samples written in Perl, along with V5 samples written in C# and Java, can be found at Microsoft adCenter API Version 5 Examples.

We'll release V5 samples written in PHP at a later date. Thank you for your patience.

Walter Poupore
Lead Programming Writer
Microsoft adCenter API

Learn about adCenter API V5 upgrade during office hours webcasts

The new release of API V5 is a significant upgrade from V4 with improvements including added reporting features, the ability to retrieve objects by id, improvements to ease updating campaign information, improved error handling and the normalization of object model names.

When planning your migration to V5, please approach the project as new application development rather than minor maintenance to an existing application. We will be running V4 and V5 in parallel for 180 days, after that when V4 will be retired.

To help you in your migration process the adCenter team will be holding webcasts with conference calls the third Tuesday of each month, during which we can help address questions around the API.

• Mar 18th 1pm to 2:30pm PST

• Apr 15th 1pm to 2:30pm PST

• May 20th 1pm to 2:30pm PST

• Jun 17th 1pm to 2:30pm PST

• Jul 15th 1pm to 2:30pm PST

In each of these Open Sessions we'll begin with a 30 minute walk-through of V5 changes. Afterward we'll open up the meeting to discussion by attendees. To join the meeting please use the following Live Meeting URL:

https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/microsoft/join?id=P96SDC&role=attend&pw=AdCenOH

If you have questions you would like to ensure are covered in advance please email the ad platform evangelism team at Microsoft (adplate@microsoft.com) with your question and let us know what session you will be attending. We will post reminders and further details prior to each session.

Thanks,

The adCenter team

How to set 'no end date' for an ad group in V5

Archived: February 19, 2008

Hello,

This question came up today as part of the API V5 Live Meeting: How do we set "no end date" for an ad group in v5?

To have no end date in effect for your ad group, do not assign an end date in the AdGroup.EndDate property when calling the AddAdGroups service operation. This will effectively set the end date to a very distant date (multiple decades away) that adCenter considers 'no end date'.

To set the start date for an ad group to today's date (as reflected on the adCenter API server), do not assign a start date in the AdGroup.StartDate property when calling the AddAdGroups service operation.

The start and end date defaults (when not specified) are documented in the AdGroup Class (V5) topic, in the Property Description section (as part of the AddAdGroups explanation).

Thank you.

Walter Poupore
Lead Programming Writer
Microsoft adCenter API

Microsoft adCenter API documentation updated on MSDN

Archived: January 22, 2008

Hello!

We've added additional Version 5 content to the Microsoft adCenter API documentation.

See Microsoft adCenter API Version 5 Examples for new Java and C# samples. We've also modified the previously-released How to Create Ad Groups in C# (V5) sample. Details about this sample's change is available at What's New in the SDK for Microsoft adCenter API.

Continue to consult the Microsoft adCenter API Version 5 Release Notes as you plan your migration to adCenter API V5.

Thank you.

Walter Poupore
Lead Programming Writer
Microsoft adCenter API

Using Java with Microsoft adCenter API V5

Archived: January 18, 2008

Hello!

Effective with our January 22, 2008 Microsoft adCenter API documentation release to MSDN, we've moved the Java sample previously posted here to How to Create Campaigns in Java (V5), and we've moved the steps for setting up your Java client to Set Up the Java Environment for Microsoft adCenter.

The following V5 Java samples have also been released to MSDN:

• How to Check the Status of an Ad Group in Java (V5)
• How to Create Ad Groups in Java (V5)
• How to Create Ads in Java (V5)
• How to Create Keywords in Java (V5)
• How to Submit an Ad Group for Approval in Java (V5)

Thank you.

Walter Poupore
Lead Programming Writer

Microsoft adCenter API