Newspaper Layout Pagination Software
AdForce is a well know layout software used by many mid sized newspapers. The newcomer to the market is AdPlacer, designed specifically for smaller newspapers.
Two Newspaper Page Layout Options
In this article we look at two page layout options for small to medium newspapers. Both will work with any front end system, even if you are using a spreadsheet system. AdForceX is more targeted to medium size newspapers, while AdPlacer is ideal for smaller publications. AdForceX brings a much higher level of complexity, does a lot more and provides a lot of options, while AdPlacer is simple easy to use and does the job quite well.
The Core of AdForce
AdForce is part of Cognitive’s Page Director® Series, a family of ad layout solutions trusted by newspapers, magazines, and catalog publishers worldwide. The software translates ad sales into precise ad geometry, allowing publishers to quickly build ad pages using drag-and-drop or semi-automated flow tools. Once sections are created, they can be opened directly in Adobe InDesign for final pagination. This integration makes AdForce a bridge between ad order-entry systems and editorial production, ensuring accuracy and speed in deadline-driven environments.
Plugin Accessories and Their Uses
AdForce’s true versatility comes from its plugin ecosystem, which enhances the core platform with specialized tools:
AdImport Plugin: This plugin allows seamless import of ad lists from external order-entry systems. It ensures that ad metadata—such as advertiser name, ad size, color requirements, and coupon status—flows directly into AdForce’s runsheet. This eliminates manual data entry and reduces errors, making issue planning faster and more reliable.
Fido Plugin: Fido acts as a watchdog for ad placement. It checks for conflicts, overlaps, or misalignments in the layout process. By automating error detection, Fido helps publishers maintain clean, professional layouts without the need for extensive manual review.
Split & Folio Plugin: This plugin manages sectioning and folio assignments. It allows publishers to split large publications into manageable sections and assign folio numbers consistently across the issue. This is particularly useful for magazines and catalogs with complex pagination requirements.
Together, these plugins create a workflow where ads can be imported, validated, and organized into sections before being finalized in InDesign. Each plugin addresses a specific pain point in the publishing process, ensuring that AdForce remains adaptable to different publication sizes and formats.
Discontinued Products
As technology has evolved, Cognitive Inc. has phased out older versions of AdForce and related products. For example, AdForce is no longer compatible with macOS Catalina and newer operating systems, limiting its use to macOS Sierra, High Sierra, and Mojave. This discontinuation reflects the company’s shift toward AdforceX, a redesigned successor built for modern macOS environments like Catalina, Big Sur, and beyond.
Other discontinued products include legacy hardware and software solutions under the CognitiveTPG brand, such as the A794, A758, A795, Del Sol LX, Code Ranger, and Barcode Blazer. While these products are no longer sold, CognitiveTPG continues to provide support and spare parts until their final service dates.
Transition to AdforceX
Cognitive Inc. now promotes AdforceX as the flagship successor to AdForce. AdforceX incorporates all the tried-and-true features of AdForce while adding modern enhancements like image views, template management, enhanced sectioning, and folio management. It is fully compatible with current macOS versions and Adobe Creative Cloud, making it the industry standard for automated publication planning.
The Simplified Ad Layout System
AdPlacer™
The Affordable InDesign Ad Placement and Layout Tool that works with or without AdWorks ®.
AdPlacer is a new innovative ad placement and layout tool designed to seamlessly integrate with Adobe InDesign, revolutionizing the ad layout and issue planning process. Adplacer offers a powerful and intuitive interface, allowing teams to interact with ads directly within Adobe InDesign. This provides unprecedented capabilities to enhance ad workflow.
AdPlacer is specifically built to empower layout and production teams, visually managing ad placement of multiple ads simultaneously and tracking ad statuses in real time.
Traditional processes can often be slow, manual, and prone to errors, particularly when ads need to be repositioned or when finalized ads aren’t available. AdPlacer addresses these challenges with a more efficient solution to quickly place ads, prevent double bookings, monitor placement statuses and identify any missing items, all while maintaining a clear connection to ad systems like AdWorks® and Ad Production Manager™.
AdPlacer effectively tackles these issues right within Adobe InDesign. It serves as the ideal solution for small to mid sized publications seeking a robust, user friendly tool to manage ad placement and layout without the complications often associated with enterprise level systems. It offers comprehensive capabilities in a format that is easy to navigate and quick to learn.
Ultimately, AdPlacer is not just a tool, it’s a smarter workflow solution. With AdPlacer, you will greatly enhance the efficiency of the layout process, improve accuracy with fewer misplacements and enable production teams to stay proactive. Even when ads are not yet finalized, AdPlacer will help streamline approval cycles, making them faster and clearer for everyone involved.
Conclusion
AdForceX is the most popular layout program for mid-sized newspapers without question. It has many options to cover the complexity of larger and busier publications. One of the downsides is it takes a dedicated operator to handle and manage the software and all the sophisticated things it accomplishes.
AdPlacer on the other hand, is made for smaller newspapers that do not have the level of expectations of a premier layout software. Many like the fact that it’s an easy process and because of this, there are less things to go wrong. Additionally the cost,setup and support is included and it is a lower cost product that smaller publishers can handle.
Both AdForceX and AdPlacer are distributed and supported in North America by NewsNet Inc (newsnet.ca) Our contact for this article: alan@newsnet.ca
Questions? Contact: news@publishersnews.net