The publishing industry is undergoing a digital transition - one that has spiked the adoption rate of technology within the industry. As more publishing houses are incorporating the digital way of operating, their dependency on IT and technology outsourcing will increase. Among key challenges that publishing houses face are those related to IT related decision making. Publishers have recognized that technology is inevitable – so what is the role of outsourcing in terms of leveraging technology. And can outsourcing really help publishers use technology better?

Change: Not just in delivery but the way business is done

For the publishing industry, the business methodology is being greatly impacted by technology. The old format of using a physical storyboard, centralized business planning and monitoring and other ‘location specific’ functions are out. These functions are now be operated through a ‘platform’ or ‘workflow’ which in turn can be hosted online and hence ‘remote’ or location independent. Technologies help publishers get ahead impact productivity, competitiveness and open new opportunities for them. 

The benefits usually are cost, production time and ease of use. Publishers are ADOPTING ‘comprehensive digital processes’ to manage their entire workflows, akin to the SAP enabled supply chain, finance and distribution processes adopted by large manufacturers in the past decade or so.  Besides, they are also leveraging these platforms to facilitate distribution and quickly meet end user needs. 

Here are some examples where publishers have effectively leveraged technology and outsourced solutions, not just in operational efficiency, but for delivery to end users.

•    Publishing technologies Plc provides the United Nations (UN) a custom built web platform: The recently released Pub2Web platform built by Publishing Technologies Plc. for the UN. The platform allows for cross searching, discovery and sales using a pay-per-view or by subscription for over 1,500 UN publications. It will apply to all its new and forthcoming titles, and will include reports, periodicals, e-books and select grey literature.
•   Wiley engages web enabled platform to accelerate digital production: Digital workflows can help publishers quickly meet e-publishing targets.  Wiley-Blackwell is said to have benefited the delivery schedule of its online, mobile and print ready production by up to 75% . The publisher gained from using a web enabled content production workflow, provided for and supported by its offshore service provider.

Niche service providers accelerating delivery through outsourcing

When it comes to delivery or actual production, demand change has necessitated increased ‘digital conversions’ or moving to e-books, across publishing segments (trade books, newspaper especially).

Increasingly, publishers are turning to KPOs or niche publishing service providers who seem to be doing the job much more effectively than larger IT players and pure play BPO vendors. This is because these focused or niche players have hands on experience in servicing the publishing industry. These smaller firms are also often are established by or run by management who have a long association with – often ex-employees of larger publishing houses.

The important thing to remember, here, is that technology is an enabler and not the subject matter.  Hence where the format of delivery may keep changing, for example, the present rush is to transform from a print mode to online. What is essential is that you outsource it to a provider who understands formatting, page layout, editing, proofreading - and the many nuances of book publishing business.

- Runa Mookerjee, Sr Research Analyst, ValueNotes Sourcing Practice.