14 DAY TRIAL // Following the pseudo-retirement of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, now just part-time Chairman, the Redmond company, with Chief Software Architect at the helm, entered its new era. Microsoft 2.0 is synonymous with Software plus Services, a new business strategy reflected into all the aspects of the Redmond giant. The latest example in this regard is the adCenter Desktop. Debuted into Beta on July 15, 2008, adCenter Desktop is designed to bridge Microsoft adCenter accounts and campaigns with the desktop. Microsoft is permitting adCenter users to test-drive the new campaign management application, but the Beta program is accessible only through requests.
"The adCenter Desktop Beta allows you to quickly navigate through multiple accounts; copy and paste keywords, negative keywords, match types and bid amounts from the adCenter Add-in for Excel into the Desktop application; bulk edit multiple items at once (bid prices, destination URLs, ad group targeting, etc.) - within or across groups of items; scan campaigns for editorial issues before uploading to adCenter; and upload changes to the adCenter user interface instantly with one click," revealed Microsoft's Carolyn Miller.
All adCenter account owners interested in participating in the Beta have to first apply in the Microsoft adCenter Beta & Pilot Interest Program. However, simply submitting the form will not be sufficient to guarantee an invitation to the restricted Beta. Miller indicated that Microsoft would review all the submissions, and only subsequently open the testing program of adCenter Desktop to additional members.
In the end, adCenter Desktop Beta is designed to streamline the management process of adCenter campaigns and accounts, by centralizing all the information on the desktop client. The software will synchronize with the online accounts and permit complex editing tasks from creating to modifying campaigns, monitoring their performance and taking keyword management to the next level.