New Pubnet Debuts on Web
Calvin Reid -- 4/6/98
Beginning last week, booksellers who use the Pubnet electronic book-ordering system are able to use Pubnet 2000, a new Internet-based version of the proprietary electronic book-ordering system first launched 11 years ago.Andrew Gregory, managing director of Pubnet LLC, told PW that Pubnet 2000 is designed to make electronic ordering even easier than under Pubnet. The Pubnet 2000 Web site (www.pubnet.org) will allow bookstores to register for membership and offers them password-protected access to make their orders. Booksellers can still order via the previous Pubnet service. The site offers an enhanced, fully searchable online version of R.R. Bowker's Books in Print (available only through Pubnet 2000 for $125 a year) with publisher-supplied price and availability information. Pubnet 2000 also offers order acknowledgment, invoices, and shipping and return notices in electronic form. Jim McLaughlin, Pubnet LLC marketing director, said that about two-thirds of NACS's membership is registered with Pubnet and the company plans a telemarketing campaign to increase the numbers of trade bookstores using the system. Through Pubnet 2000 booksellers can order from about 80 publishers and distributors representing about 500 imprints. In the next few weeks the site will launch a fax and e-mail service that will allow ordering from many more publishers, and from suppliers that do not have Internet connections. One-time setup costs for new members will be discounted from $75 to $29.95 until the end of the year. The offer includes three months of free access to the online BIP. Back To News---> |
