How can I send a large task? (+50 slides)

Background

At SlideHub we receive many different sized tasks from our clients, but the one type which requires more planning in order to ensure consistency, are larger sized tasks, usually over 50 slides.

What makes large tasks more complex?

The amount of work vs deadline ratio: The faster the turnaround the more designers we will need to get involved to be able to meet the deadline, which means consistency is a bit harder to keep without constantly involving the project manager
Batches increase complexity due to timing and amount of work uncertainty: If we receive the input files in batches we need to plan in advance with our designers what is the best approach to take in order to keep the consistency and if they can be available to work on the next batches

Three ways to ensure success on larger tasks

Note: The same suggestions applies if you need multiple files to be fully consistent e.g. sharing specific slide designs

Send the complete file at once (recommended approach)

How to:
Submit/send the entire input file(s) at a once directly to request@slidehub.com, or via the platform or the add-in feature
Provide a longer than avg. deadline e.g. 48 hours
If so required, be available to view a work in progress file (WIP) within the first 24 hours

Benefits:
Guaranteed consistency between all slides in the file(s)
Capacity constraints are very rare for longer, larger tasks

Challenge / limitations:
You are required to have the complete file(s) ready before sending it to us, and cannot change the slides while we are working on the deck(s)
You need more planning on your side to leave room for the longer turnaround time
If you require a shorter turnaround more designers may need to be involved which can, in turn, increase the overhead cost, since more people are involved and a higher level of planning and communication is needed to ensure consistency

Send the file in batches

How to:
Submit/send the input file(s) directly to request@slidehub.com, or via the platform or the add-in feature
Explain right away you plan on sending more files connected to this request
Make sure to say when we can expect the batches
When sending batches: We recommend to do so via email, on the same email thread
If a file is over 25MB you are required to send the file via the platform or the add-in, but you need to inform the project managers of the task ID of the current ongoing task so that the connection can be made

Benefits:
You can submit the slides to us as you go, and by default receive the files back faster than if you had waited until the whole deck was complete
If required, you can get parts of the batches delivered earlier than others
Very high consistency between all slides in the file(s)
If you do choose to have a longer deadline, this enables us to use only one designer which can have reduced expenses due to less overhead + a stronger guarantee of consistency on the multiple batches

Challenge / limitations:
If a shorter turnaround is required and multiple designers work on the slides it is harder to ensure consistency on all the worked slides
The overall cost can be a bit higher due to the multiple designers involved and additional overhead
In some busy periods you might face capacity constraints

Use the book capacity feature

How to:
Make a booking request directly to request@slidehub.com, or via the platform on the book capacity feature
Explain right away if *you plan on sending more files connected to this request
If you are planning on sending the file(s) in batches we require to know each batch submission deadline, and if the deadlines are missed booking terms will apply
Make sure to submit the file(s) via the pending booking feature
If you are sending the file(s) in batches, with different submission times, you may be required to submit the second (and so on) round of batches via email on the same email thread of the booking request

Benefits:
Very limited risk of capacity constraints
You reserve a designer(s) ahead of time, in order to skip our standard first come, first serve policy
If sending in batches, and required, you can get parts of the batches delivered earlier than others
Very high consistency between all slides in the file(s)
If you do choose to have a longer deadline, this enables us to use only one designer which can have reduced expenses due to less overhead + a stronger guarantee of consistency on the multiple batches

Challenge / limitations:
You need very good planning on your side to assume how many slides you require work on, what type of work, and when
The file(s) submission deadline(s) needs to be met
If a shorter turnaround is required and multiple designers work on the slides it is harder to ensure consistency on all the worked slides + the overall cost can be a bit higher due to the multiple designers required

Please note some of the same principles apply if it's required to keep consistency between different tasks.

If you have any questions on the best way to proceed with a certain task you can always email the project managers at request@slidehub.com and explain your needs - We will be happy to guide you on the best path to take!

Updated on: 12/06/2024