Introduction

Product Overview

IGP:Distribution Manager allows publishers to store, manage and deliver e-books to a range of digital content (e-book) distribution channels including: online-retailers, digital wholesalers, print on demand vendors, and search engines.

It can be operated for a single business, or used to provide services to multiple publishers.

E-book distribution consists of sending a package containing e-book files, covers, and ONIX metadata to each distribution channel you have selected to carry your digital book products.

ONIX is a business to business protocol for the distribution of books and serials in multiple formats. It is a protocol used by publishers to notify sales channels of new products and the status of existing products. ONIX is complex and optimized for print book distribution. Using it effectively for e-book distribution means applying specific price and currency information for each channel.

Each channel has its own packaging rules, currency requirements and ONIX metadata requirements. 

IGP:Distribution Manager makes the job of getting digital formats to the right channel with the correct information easy. It is flexible enough to address any unforeseen future requirements of a fast changing digital content future.

Major Features in IGP:Distribution Manager

Stand-alone interface

IGP:Distribution Manager is a stand-alone Web Application with a streamlined interface and all the tools required to manage powerful, changing digital distribution business to multiple channels.

Metadata Upload

Upload metadata as a spreadsheet, existing ONIX file or use the built in forms method to create metadata. The system extracts the metadata that is required for digital distribution and prompts you for any incomplete or missing information.

File Upload

You can ftp files to a watched location. The improved forms interface lets you drag and drop dozens of e-pubs, kindle files and covers into the system with one action. The files are instantly uploaded and automatically sorted into the correct storage location based on ISBN matching with the metadata. The radical simplicity of this process makes uploading dozens of books with their files easy and intuitive.

Completeness and Correctness checking

No failed deliveries because of wrong keyed ISBNs at delivery time. IGP:Distribution Manager has a list of checks it makes on your metadata for completeness and correctness. The application dashboard notifies you so you can to immediately evaluate and correct any problems. You can even upload partial metadata. The only rule is there must be a title, and at least one ISBN in the metadata upload.

Price Updates

For publishers that don't have ONIX or other software systems, you can change prices by book and currency; and resubmit the ONIX to selected distribution channels. Price changes can be applied by metadata such as Imprint, Series or Keyword. The price calculator lets you enter your book price in your currency and will convert it to all channel currencies using your conversion rate. If your jurisdiction has the requirement for a taxable price, you can also enter the tax rate and ONIX price composites type 01 (no tax) and type 02 (taxed) will be generated automatically.

Channel Price confidentiality

When ONIX is assembled and delivered to a channel, only the prices for that channel are included in the delivery package. That means if you have different pricing for distribution channels serving various markets you can optimize the price for each market served, and the pricing information remains confidential.

ONIX outputs

IGP:Distribution Manager supports delivery of ONIX 2.1 or ONIX 3.0 channel by channel. As the various distribution channels adopt ONIX 3.0, you are ready.

Spreadsheet outputs

There are some distribution channels that cannot handle ONIX price changes elegantly and you just have to email them a spreadsheet. You can generate a spreadsheet with a custom range of metadata columns with just a few clicks.

Status reports

The interface tells you what has happened, and what you have to do. For example: You have 500 books in the system and decide to add another channel. Once the channel has been set up it will compute the prices and exchange rates automatically (with tax if applicable). It will then give you the opportunity to review, modify and commit the prices for each item before distributing.

Warning Status reports

If there is any metadata or files missing that stop a distribution event, the system will immediately notify you through the Status Dashboard. All checks are carried out at upload and creation time to make sure when a distribution event happens there are no surprises or failures based on files and metadata.

Powerful Reports

The system generates comprehensive log-files as well as maintaining Status information. The Reports interface allows you to view your distribution history and events with multiple filter options.

File Storage

IGP:Distribution Manager saves files to IGP:Repository 2 by default. It can also be configured to store files on a local server.

IGP:Long Running Process Engine

IGP:Distribution Manager is two products in one. It comes with a complimentary copy of  IGP:Long Running Process Engine (LRPE) included in your license. This handles memory and CPU intensive processes in the background to make sure the database performance is never impinged. It can be installed on one server or In large installations it can be deployed on a dedicated processing server.

LRPE can queue and manage thousands of processing events. It makes installing and setting up a new channel with different packaging rules easy because it is a fully scripted workflow engine. Each channel packager is an programmed workflow activity distributed by Infogrid Pacific as part of the license. This simplified approach to high volume processing dramatically lowers the product complexity, increases current and future flexibility, and lowers total cost of ownership.

LRPE can handle thousands of file uploads and distribution events elegantly and simultaneously. New channel packaging processes can be dropped into place and be working instantly.

Product Gamut

Digital Product Distribution Only

IGP:Distribution Manager is not a complete ONIX solution for print books. It is targeted at the needs of Small and Medium Publishers and addresses the immediate need of getting digital books to as many channels as possible, as fast as possible.

A software license, not a service

IGP:Distribution Manager is not a SaaS or aggregation service product. You must have your own accounts registered with Amazon, Apple, Kobo and other distribution channels. 

Our Browser policy

IGP Web Services applications only support highly standards compliant browsers. That means we do not support Microsoft IE any version at present.

We do this for the following reasons.

1. Cost of development is substantially reduced and this is reflected in our license fees.
2. Features are more extensive and simplified.
3. The products are not public web sites so the browser standard required to use them correctly is published publicly.
4. Modern standards compliant browsers are generally highly secure, free and work across a wide range of platforms.

The digital content of today and tomorrow cannot be made to work from sub-standard frameworks. A publisher standardizing on Microsoft Internet Explorer does not understand the digital content technology of today. IE should be reserved for compatibility testing of live public websites only.