The Challenge Independent Dutch publisher Overamstel Uitgevers initially needed a reliable system to improve its production scheduling across its six publishing imprints. After acquiring a new imprint in 2014, it began to look at streamlining its business further and decided to re-evaluate its existing contract and royalty models. Having multiple models running side-by-side was difficult to maintain, and confusing for staff. Overamstel looked at other solutions, including Klopotek. However, Virtusales proved to be the perfect partner to replace their multiple, disparate systems. The Solution Biblio3: Bibliographic, Production, Digital Asset Management, Contracts, Rights and Royalties "I can always get in touch with my project manager and the team who were closely involved with implementing Biblio3. The relationship has been incredible and our meetings are always very productive." Tibor Kuijs, IT Director, Overamstel Uitgevers Why Virtusales
Highly recommended
All data stored in one single system
Modular and highly scalable
Provides efficiencies in processes and workflows
Flexible contracts and royalties modules across all the publisher's imprints
Friendly and professional
Unbelievable Time Saver: Integration with Centraal Boekhuis
Centraal Boekhuis is one of the main distributors in the Dutch market. Prior to implementing Biblio3, Overamstel didn’t have an automated way of feeding information through to its systems. Now, all the data is stored in one online location, which everyone can access, and gets fed through to Centraal Boekhuis daily, saving the production team so much time. Tibor is impressed, “Now the information flows to Centraal Boekhuis automatically after we key it into Biblio3. I cannot tell you how much time this is saving!”
Farewell to Manual Processes: Connecting to eBook Platforms
As well as improving workflows for physical book distribution, working with Virtusales has helped Overamstel to reduce digital distribution costs. Biblio3 connects directly to aggregators and retailers such as Google, Amazon and Kobo. This means that digital assets, from cover images to eBook files, are automatically redistributed whenever changes are made. The team no longer need to key in and send metadata to each platform, as this is all automated. Tibor says, “Connecting directly to Google, Amazon and Kobo has decreased our digital distribution costs significantly.”
Daily Royalty Information
Gathering the latest sales and royalty data quickly has always been a priority for Overamstel. By adopting the latest Biblio3 system, it has been able to access this information daily. Tibor explains, “We try to get sales information in as soon as possible and the quick royalty process, which runs in about five minutes, gives us a daily overview and status.” This tool has enabled Overamstel to be the first Dutch publisher to account their royalties twice a year. "Overall the platform is solid and stable and the support is amazing." Tibor Kuijs, IT Director, Overamstel Uitgevers Extended Functionality for Further Benefits After implementing Biblio3’s scheduling and royalties modules, it became clear that extending the functionality further would bring the company even more benefits. In 2016 Overamstel began to use Biblio3’s subrights functionality, providing its team with a much more efficient way of managing the sales of subrights. Tibor expands on this, “It has proved to be an essential addition to our internal workflow for registering and maintaining rights sales and chasing statements, payments and other relevant information.” Tibor reports that since going live, Biblio3 has streamlined workflows and saved staff time when searching for titles, updating metadata, assigning ISBNs, producing their catalogues and in general reporting throughout the business, “It is of great value that everybody is using the same workflow and reports, there is a bigger information flow to our supporting departments.” Having an end-to-end publishing solution is increasing productivity throughout the business, so that Overamstel can spend more time concentrating on maximising revenue.
Benefits of Biblio3
Centralised database increases visibility and reduces time updating and sharing metadata
eBooks now distributed through daily, automated feeds
Faster title searching, with all data stored in one system
ISBNs assigned in just one click
Catalogue production times reduced by using Biblio3's up to date and rich title data and images
Running reports has increased the information flowing between departments