<![CDATA[BISG.org > Latest News]]> http://www.bisg.org/ en-us Copyright 2007 BISG.org Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:15:31 EST BISG.org > Featured News http://www.bisg.org/images/logo.jpg http://www.bisg.org/ <![CDATA[POL-1101: Best Practices for Identifying Digital Products ]]> RECORDED BISG WEBCAST:
Understanding BISG's Policy Statement for Identifying Digital Products
Recorded Wednesday, January 11, 2012 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Eastern

This BISG Policy Statement on recommendations for identifying digital products is applicable to content intended for distribution to the general public in North America but could be applied elsewhere as well. The objective of this Policy Statement is to clarify best practices and outline responsibilities in the assignment of ISBNs to digital products in order to reduce both confusion in the market place, and the possibility of errors.

Some of the organizations which have indicated support of POL-1101 include:
  • Book Industry Communications (BIC)
  • BookNet Canada
  • IBPA, the Independent Book Publishers Association
  • National Information Standards Organization (NISO)
  • U.S. ISBN Agency

CLICK HERE to download (PDF)
Published December 7, 2011]]> Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:00:00 PST <![CDATA[Student Attitudes Toward Content in Higher Education]]>

PREVIOUS PUBLICATION SPONSORS

BISG wishes to thank the following companies for their generous support of Volume One (2010-2011) of Student Attitudes Toward Content in Higher Education.

New sponsorship opportunities are now available for Volume Two (2011-2012). Email Angela Bole for more information.

For general information about Student Attitudes Toward Content in Higher Education visit http://www.bisg.org/publications/product.php?p=22&c=437.

Volume One Sponsors (2010-2011)


CHAMPION SPONSOR




Xplana is a social learning platform that bridges elements of education with social networking. Free to all learners, Xplana organizes students' academic lives by grouping all their learning materials into one location. It also offers a wealth of free academic resources, content creation tools and learning communities to connect students to one another. With the primary focus being the individual learner, Xplana ensures every student has the tools needed for lifelong learning success, including learning that takes place outside of traditional textbooks, classrooms and learning management systems. Xplana is a division of MBS Textbook Exchange, Inc., a leading textbook wholesaler and bookstore systems provider based in Columbia, Missouri.


ADDITIONAL SPONSORS




CONTRIBUTOR SPONSOR: Baker & Taylor, Inc. is a global information and entertainment services company that offers print and digital books and entertainment products along with value-added services to libraries, educational institutions and retailers. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company has been in existence for more than 180 years, developing long-term relationships with major suppliers, including book publishers, movie studios and music labels. Baker & Taylor maintains one of the largest combined in-stock book, video and music inventories in the United States, and services the broadest customer
base in the industry. Baker & Taylor is majority owned by Castle Harlan Partners IV, L.P., a leading private equity investment firm.



CONTRIBUTOR SPONSOR: For over 40 years, Budgetexthas made higher education more affordable for students and their families. From providing used textbooks, to retail management systems to buyback services, we are focused on simplifying and enhancing the college store's ability to provide maximum savings to students.



CONTRIBUTOR SPONSOR: CourseSmart provides eTextbooks and digital course materials that improve the educational process by offering instructors and students a unique combination of the right course material, anywhere-anytime access, and a low cost. As the world's largest digital course materials provider, CourseSmart has a rapidly growing digital catalog featuring more than 90% of core higher education textbooks in use today offered as eTextbooks for up to 60% savings. These are the same titles produced by leading publishers in print and recommended by faculty across North America. For additional information, visit www.coursesmart.com.



CONTRIBUTOR SPONSOR: Follett Higher Education Group of Oak Brook, Illinois, is the leading provider of bookstore services and the foremost supplier of used books in North America. Follett services five million students and over 400,000 faculty members through more than 870 stores. Follett also services more than 1,600 independent campus stores with its wholesale services, and has the most visited ecommerce collegiate website, efollett.com, that provides services and products through a network of more than 900 online stores.



CONTRIBUTOR SPONSOR: Kno, short for knowledge, is a transformative learning platform that blends a touch-screen tablet, digital textbooks, course materials, note-taking, web access, educational applications, digital media and sharing to deliver a unique, powerful and engaging educational experience. Kno improves the way students learn by blending the intuitive experience of the conventional textbook and student notes with the rich digital world of the web. Its open platform encourages publishers and developers to create and distribute innovative education applications and content. Kno offers both dual-screen and single-screen tablet textbooks.



CONTRIBUTOR SPONSOR: Pearson is an international media company with world-leading businesses in education, business information and consumer publishing.
Pearson helps children and adults to learn, business people to make good decisions and readers to wise up or wind down with a good book.]]> Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:00:00 PST <![CDATA[BISAC Subject Headings, 2011 Edition]]> BISAC Subject Headings List, also known as the BISAC Subject Codes List, is a standard used by many companies throughout the supply chain to categorize books based on topical content. The Subject Heading applied to a book can determine where the work is shelved in a brick and mortar store or the genre(s) under which it can be searched for in an internal database.

The complete BISAC Subject Headings List is available online at no cost for one-to-one look-up. You may also request an End Users' License to download versions of the Subject Headings List in Excel, PDF and Word for incorporation in your company's internal databases.

The BISAC Subject Headings List is governed by the following copyright notice:

Copyright 2011, Book Industry Study Group, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of the BISAC Subject Headings List documentation may be distributed or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the Book Industry Study Group, Inc.

See below for more information.

]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:00:00 PST <![CDATA[Mobile Commerce for the Book Industry]]>
The practice is widely referred to as "mobile commerce," but this term is somewhat of a misnomer. While the purpose of many applications is an immediate commercial transaction, other applications focus on advertising or product descriptions that may lead to future sales. Still other applications are purely informational and are not commercial in any respect. Nevertheless, no other term has a comparable span of acceptance, and BISG will use "mobile commerce" in its presentations.

Mobile commerce uses bar codes placed on posters, in print media, and on products as the starting point for communication with consumers. These bar codes are most frequently two-dimensional (2D), consisting of a matrix of tiny black and white squares rather than one-dimensional (1D) like more familiar bar codes consisting of bars and spaces. The "QR Code" is one of these newer symbologies, and that term is sometimes used generically (and erroneously) to refer to any of the matrix bar codes.

A consumer can capture an image of the bar code with the camera of a mobile device and activate an application on the device. Information stored in the bar code directs the application to a website that displays desired information or permits a wide variety of actions, including purchases.

Companies in general retail are increasingly active with mobile commerce advertising and promotional campaigns, and new examples appear daily. Publishers and booksellers are also exploring uses.

To assist the book industry in utilizing and profiting from this technology, BISG is assembling information in the areas shown below; click on the headings for details. The information will be updated and expanded as developments warrant.

Introduction
  • An overview of the mobile commerce process
  • A brief list of terms and their definitions
  • Sources of additional information or assistance

QR Codes and Other Symbologies
  • QR Codes and other frequently seen symbologies
  • The properties and typical applications of each symbology
  • Important points to consider in presenting symbols on display objects such as signs, posters, books, and magazine advertisements

Application Considerations
  • Important points to consider in planning mobile device applications and mobile commerce campaigns

]]> Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:00:00 PDT <![CDATA[Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading]]> PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS
VOLUME ONE: 2009-2010 CYCLEData from the three surveys conducted as part of VOLUME ONE: 2009-2010 CYCLE of BISG's Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading is available in several ways.

See below for product descriptions and email the BISG office for purchasing information.



PDF Summary Reports

(PUB DATE: January 2010)
$149 - BISG Members | $395 - BISG Non-members
Receive a one-off PDF Summary Report of survey data from the VOLUME ONE: REPORT 1 of 3. Click on the links below to view supporting documentation.
-- Terms of Use
-- Table of Contents
-- List of Data Tables
-- Sample Page

(PUB DATE: MARCH 2010)
$149 - BISG Members | $395 - BISG Non-members
Receive a one-off PDF Summary Report of data from the VOLUME ONE: REPORT 2 of 3. Click on the links below to view supporting documentation.
-- Terms of Use
-- Table of Contents
-- List of Data Tables
-- Sample Page

(PUB DATE: AUGUST 2010)
$549 - BISG Members | $1,395 - BISG Non-members
Benefit from the collation and analysis of nine months' worth of valuable e-book consumer data. The Final Summary Report includes data and analysis from all three 2009-2010 cycle survey fieldings.
-- Terms of Use
-- Table of Contents
-- List of Data Tables
-- Sample Page


PDF Summary Report BUNDLE

$695 - BISG members | $1,795 - BISG Non-members
Receive VOLUME ONE: REPORT 1 of 3 and REPORT 2 of 3 PLUS the rolled-final report, VOLUME ONE: REPORT 3 of 3, for a single discounted price.


Online Real-Time Reporting

$1,495 - BISG members | $3,795 - BISG Non-members
Gain access to the data when you want it, how you want it via a web-based portal called Real-Time Reporting (RTR). RTR is intuitive, easy to learn and use, and can scale with your capabilities. Data can be exported into Excel or SPSS for further manipulation and analysis or for integration with other data points. Be the boss of your own data by creating custom charts and frequencies, running cross-tabs, and manipulating banner points to suit your business needs.


Online Real-Time Reporting BUNDLE

$1,995 - BISG Members | $4,995 - BISG Non-members
All the benefits of Real-Time Reporting PLUS all four PDF Summary Reports. Order today and the PDF Summary Reports will automatically e-mail to you when available.]]> Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:00:00 PST <![CDATA[Best Practices for Sales Reporting]]> Sales Reporting Working Group focused on the development of a common set of best practice sales reporting elements for both print and digital books. Spurred on by the lack of industry guidance surrounding content and structure for standardized sales reporting, as well as the proliferation of digital sales and the emergence of the Agency Model, SCEDI undertook the formation of this Working Group to address this critical need.

In June 2011, after review and approval by the BISG membership and Board of Directors, the final flat file (Excel) and XML versions of the sales report templates, along with corresponding documentation for reporting sales tax, were published. Click here to view the published documents.

Sales and Tax Reporting Pilot Program


In the fall of 2010 and early 2011, participants in BISG's Supply Chain EDI Sales and Tax Reporting Pilot Program conducted preliminary "send/receive" testing of the sales and tax reporting elements. The goal was to identify problems so that BISG's Supply Chain EDI Sales Reporting Working Group could make corrective changes or adjustments to the flat file specification before publishing final files and documentation for industry use.

A more detailed description of the Pilot Program is available for download.


]]> Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:00:00 PST <![CDATA[Product Metadata Best Practices]]> Product Metadata Best Practices were developed and are revised by BISG's Metadata Committee. They provide detailed instruction on improving the accuracy of data throughout the supply chain while speeding the processing of that data among trading partners.

CLICK HERE to download Best Practices for SENDERS
Version 1.1 (PDF) | Last updated April 2005
CLICK HERE to download Best Practices for RECEIVERS
Version 1.3 (PDF) | Last updated July 2010
]]> Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:00 PDT <![CDATA[Roadmap of Identifiers]]> Roadmap of Identifiers provides a graphic presentation of the various identifiers as they're assigned to the spectrum of intellectual properties -- digital, physical and abstract.

In an effort to continually upgrade and improve the Roadmap of Identifiers, critique is encouraged. Please send all comments concerning the document to info@bisg.org.

CLICK HERE to download (PDF)
Last Updated September 2010

]]> Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:00 PDT <![CDATA[Roadmap of Organizational Relationships]]> Roadmap of Organizational Relationships provides a graphic presentation of the various organizations as they relate to BISG, to each other, and to the processes, functions and/or identifiers they service.

In an effort to continually upgrade and improve the Roadmap of Organizational Relationships, critique is encouraged. Please send all comments concerning the document to info@bisg.org

CLICK HERE to download (PDF)
Last Updated September 2010

]]> Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:00 PDT <![CDATA[On Sale Date Compliance: Recommended Best Practices]]> On Sale Date Compliance: Recommended Best Practices was developed by the On Sale Date Task Force of the Distribution Executives Interest Group, known today as the Manufacturing & Distribution Committee.

These best practices enable the simultaneous availability of new releases to consumers from all consumer purchasing sources, including online and bricks-and-mortar retailers. The objective of these best practices is to maintain a "level playing field" for all trading partners so as not to favor one consumer sales channel over another.

CLICK HERE to download On Sale Date Compliance: Recommended Best Practices
Version 1.0 (PDF) | Last updated September 2010
CLICK HERE to download slides from BISG's May 19, 2011 Webcast entitled Selling in a Digital World: Promoting An Even Playing Field With On-Sale Date.

]]> Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:00 PDT <![CDATA[Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading]]>

PREVIOUS PUBLICATION SPONSORS

BISG wishes to thank the following companies for their generous support of Volume One (2009-2010) and Volume Two (2010-2011) of Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading.

Volume Two (2010-2011)
Volume One (2009-2019)

New sponsorship opportunities are now available for Volume Three (2011-2012). Email Angela Bole for more information.

For general information about Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading visit http://www.bisg.org/publications/product.php?p=19&c=437.

Volume Two Sponsors (2010-2011)


CHAMPION




Direct Brands, Inc. is the leader in direct-to-consumer member based marketing, trusted by millions to provide quality products that satisfy their lifestyle passions.
Delivering the highest-grossing and most extensive back catalog of DVDs, bestselling books, and chart-topping CDs to America's most passionate home entertainment consumers.

Our category-leading brands include household names such as Doubleday Book Club, Book-of-the-Month Club, Stephen King Library, Columbia House DVD Club, and Your Music.com, as well as a number of special interest and lifestyle book clubs.


SUPPORTER




Baker & Taylor, Inc. is a global information and entertainment services company that offers print and digital books and entertainment products along with value-added services to libraries, educational institutions and retailers. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company has been in existence for more than 180 years, developing long-term relationships with major suppliers, including book publishers, movie studios and music labels. Baker & Taylor maintains one of the largest combined in-stock book, video and music inventories in the United States, and services the broadest customer base in the industry. Baker & Taylor is majority owned by Castle Harlan Partners IV, L.P., a leading private equity investment firm.


CONTRIBUTORS




Barnes & Noble, Inc. is the world's largest bookseller. Barnes & Noble conducts its online business through Barnes & Noble.com, which features more than two million titles in its eBookstore. Through Barnes & Noble's NOOK™ eReading product offering, customers can buy and read eBooks on the widest range of platforms, including NOOK eBook Readers.



Harlequin is the global leader in series romance and one of the world's leading publishers of books for women, with titles issued worldwide in 32 languages and sold in 115 international markets. The company produces over 110 titles monthly and publishes more than 1,100 authors from around the world. Harlequin has offices in 19 countries, including offices in Toronto, New York and London. For more information please visit www.eHarlequin.com or press.eHarlequin.com.



HarperCollins is a broad-based publisher with strengths in literary and commercial fiction, nonfiction and children's books. Consistently at the forefront of innovation, HarperCollins is the first publisher to digitize its content and create a global digital warehouse to protect the rights of its authors, and meet growing consumer demand.



Levy Home Entertainment is the nation's premier distributor of paperback and hardcover books to America's finest retailers. Known in the industry as LHE or Levy, they are recognized as an innovator with unmatched ability to service mass merchants, warehouse clubs and drug/grocery accounts.


FRIENDS




Pearson is an international media company with world-leading businesses in education, business information and consumer publishing. Pearson helps children and adults to learn, business people to make good decisions and readers to wise up or wind down with a good book.



Publishing Technology plc's brands include IngentaConnect, advance, pub2web, VISTA, author2reader, ICS and PCG. The group enables publishers to focus on their core competences by providing a single partner for both technology requirements and business development services. The group's proposition uniquely provides the industry's only end-to-end suite of software specifically designed to support the publishing process.


Volume One Sponsors (2009-2010)


CHAMPION



Baker & Taylor, Inc. is a global information and entertainment services company that offers print and digital books and entertainment products along with value-added services to libraries, educational institutions and retailers. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company has been in existence for more than 180 years, developing long-term relationships with major suppliers, including book publishers, movie studios and music labels. Baker & Taylor maintains one of the largest combined in-stock book, video and music inventories in the United States, and services the broadest customer base in the industry. Baker & Taylor is majority owned by Castle Harlan Partners IV, L.P., a leading private equity investment firm.


SUPPORTERS



Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a leading US trade publisher headquartered in New York and owned by Hachette Livre, the second largest publisher in the world. In one year, HBG publishes approximately 450 adult books, 150 young adult and children's books, and 60 audio book titles across five major publishers: Little, Brown and Company, Little Brown and Company for Young Readers, Grand Central Publishing, Orbit, Yen Press, FaithWords, Center Street and Hachette Audio. In 2008, the company had a record 107 books on the New York Times bestseller list, with 35 of them ranked #1.




Sony Electonics Inc. is a leading provider of audio/video electronics and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, design, engineering, manufacturing, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Reader is Sony's family of portable reading devices for E-Books. Its high-resolution electronic paper display delivers a realistic print look that rivals traditional paper and uses minimal power. The Reader provides access to books from many places, including The Reader Store from Sony, books from public libraries and more than one million free public domain titles from Google Books.


CONTRIBUTORS



Barnes & Noble. Description to come.


HarperCollins is a broad-based publisher with strengths in literary and commercial fiction, nonfiction and children's books. Consistently at the forefront of innovation, HarperCollins is the first publisher to digitize its content and create a global digital warehouse to protect the rights of its authors, and meet growing consumer demand.


Founded in 1967, OCLC is a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world's information and reducing library costs. More than 72,000 libraries in over 150 countries have used OCLC services to locate, acquire, catalog, lend, preserve and manage library materials. OCLC and its member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the world's largest online database for discovery of library resources.

Random House, Inc.


FRIENDS



CERLALC directs its efforts towards the protection of intellectual creation, book production and distribution and the promotion of reading and writing in Latin America. CERLALC assists its member countries in formulation and application of public policies, generates knowledge, divulges specialized information and statistics, stimulates educational processes and promotes spaces of agreement between governments and private book sectors in 21 Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries.


iPublishCentral, a flagship product of Impelsys Inc. is a one-stop self-serve infrastructure solution that enables publishers through a Software as a Service (SaaS) model to market, warehouse, distribute and deliver content online with a pay as-you-go pricing.

iPublishCentral allows publishers to experiment with various pricing models, deliver content in multiple formats for various devices, and generate new revenue streams at minimal risk.


Macmillan is the new face of a company with a rich history in the publishing industry. The adult trade collection comes from a distinctive conglomerate of leading publishing imprints including St. Martin's Press, Henry Holt, Picador, and Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Macmillan's other primary focuses are on educating the leaders and thinkers of tomorrow with its college and academic titles, and magazines and journals.


Pearson is an international media company with world-leading businesses in education, business information and consumer publishing.

Pearson helps children and adults to learn, business people to make good decisions and readers to wise up or wind down with a good book.


Publishing Technology plc's brands include IngentaConnect, advance, pub2web, VISTA, author2reader, ICS and PCG. The group enables publishers to focus on their core competences by providing a single partner for both technology requirements and business development services. The group's proposition uniquely provides the industry's only end-to-end suite of software specifically designed to support the publishing process.

]]> Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:00:00 PDT <![CDATA[ONIX Users Directory]]> Receivers | Senders | Technical Service Providers

ONIX International refers to a standard format that publishers can use to distribute electronic information about their books to wholesale, e-tail and retail booksellers, other publishers, and anyone else involved in the sale of books.

The goal of ONIX International is to standardize the transmitting of product information so that wholesalers, retailers and others in the supply chain will all be able to accept information that is transferred electronically in ONIX International format.

The ONIX Users Directory provides a place for book industry professionals to view the most up-to-date information about ONIX users. Which companies are currently receiving ONIX files? Which companies are sending them? Where can you go for help?

Follow the links below for more information.


Companies Receiving ONIX Files



Companies Sending ONIX Files



ONIX Technical Service Providers

]]> Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:00:00 PDT <![CDATA[ONIX for Books]]> ONIX for Books is the international standard for representing and communicating book industry product information in electronic form.

ONIX for Books was developed and is maintained by EDItEUR, jointly with Book Industry Communication (UK) and the Book Industry Study Group (U.S.), and has user groups in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the Republic of Korea.

In April 2009, EDItEUR announced the release of a major new version of the ONIX for Books standard: ONIX 3.0. This release of ONIX is the first since 2001 that is not backwards-compatible with its predecessors and, more importantly, provides a means for improved handling of digital products.

October 2011--ONIX codelists issue 15 is available, for use with ONIX 2.1 and ONIX 3. This revision introduces a relatively small number of additions and clarifications. One entirely new list to describe the accessibility features of e-books in ONIX 3 has been added, together with various new codes requested by ONIX National Groups. A complete list of the changes between Issue 14 and Issue 15 of the codelists, plus PDF and HTML versions of the complete set of codelists, can be downloaded from the EDItEUR website.

The built-in codelists have also been updated in the various documentation packages, schemas and DTDs, for both ONIX 2.1 (including the Supply Update) and ONIX 3.0.

The ONIX 3.0 Specification and the associated Implementation and Best Practice Guide have been updated to include the latest XML namespace recommended for use with ONIX for Books, and the latter includes a few updates in line with Codelists Issue 15. The Specification is available as in PDF or HTML format from this page on the EDItEUR website, and the Guide is available as HTML. Click here to download the documents.

Even if you do not use XML namespaces, you should download the PDF version of the ONIX 3 specification, as it now includes various documentation improvements that were previously only available in the HTML version of the specification.

September 2011--EDItEUR has provided a comprehensive set of implementation guidelines and recommended best practives for ONIX 3.0. Click here to learn more.

HELPFUL LINKS:




FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS




What is ONIX for Books?

ONIX is an acronym for ONline Information EXchange. ONIX for Books refers to a standard format that publishers can use to distribute electronic information about their books to wholesale, e-tail and retail booksellers, other publishers, and anyone else involved in the sale of books. ONIX enables book information to be communicated between different organizations even if they have different technical infrastructures and business needs. It isn't a database, but provides a standard XML template for organizing data storage.

Back to top


Why was ONIX for Books created?

ONIX was developed as a solution to two modern problems:
  • the need for richer book data online
  • the widely varying format requirements for receiving this data used by the major book wholesalers and retailers
With the advent of the Internet and the explosion of online book sales, the book industry found itself in the following quandary: how to meet the needs of booksellers to provide information to book buyers about the books they wish to purchase. In the brick and mortar world, the jacket cover of a book contains much of the promotional information about that book -- cover design, synopsis, reviews, author biography and more. This information (i.e., the book metadata) draws the potential reader into a book and helps to sell it.

Online, the physical book has been replaced with a web page devoted to the book that can be designed to carry all the rich information of the jacket cover, plus audio and video files pertaining to the book. Research has proven that the more information customers have about a book, the more likely they are to buy it. ONIX provides a way to transmit this information in a clean and seamless way across multiple trading partner relationships.

Back to top


What is the goal of ONIX for Books?

ONIX was specifically created to conquer the challenge of getting the information-rich promotional material about each book from publishers to booksellers when each major industry database company (such as Ingram, Bowker and Amazon) had a different format preference for receiving the data.

The lack of standard formatting made it difficult and time-consuming for publishers to format and exchange their book information with multiple trading partners.

The goal of ONIX, therefore, is to standardize the transmission of product information so that wholesalers, retailers and others in the supply chain will all be able to accept information electronically transferred in ONIX format.

Back to top


What can ONIX for Books tell us?

ONIX can describe many things about a book, including:
  • title
  • author
  • ISBN
  • price
  • availability
  • blurb, reviews and extracts
  • BISAC Subject Codes
  • Territorial rights
  • links to websites and book cover images
  • ...and more!

Back to top


How did ONIX for Books originate?

Throughout 1999, the Association of American Publishers (AAP) worked together with the major wholesalers, online retailers and book information service providers to create a universal, international format through which all publishers, regardless of their size, could exchange information about books. The group unveiled ONIX 1.0 in January 2000.

Back to top


What organizations are currently responsible for ONIX for Books?

ONIX is now published and maintained by EDItEUR in association with BISG in the U.S. and BIC in the UK. The latest version of ONIX is referred to as ONIX for Books or ONIX International.

The U.S. book industry provides technical input and support for ONIX via BISG's Metadata Committee.

Back to top


How does ONIX for Books work?

The standard allows for a publisher to use either of two standards - Level 1 or Level 2. Level 1 contains all the information in Level 2. Standard data elements in Level 1 are targeted to publishers who have not established an in-house database of product information. Level 2 is targeted for those publishers who feel that Level 1 data elements are not adequate.

The ONIX standard defines both a list of data fields about a book and how to send that data in an "ONIX message". ONIX specifies over 200 data elements, each of which has a standard definition, so that everyone can be sure they're referring to the same thing. Some of these data elements, such as ISBN, author name, and title, are required; others, such as book reviews and cover image, remain optional. While most data elements consist of text (e.g., contributor biography), many are multimedia files, such as images and audio files. It is particularly these optional fields- excerpts, reviews, cover images, author photos, etc.- that lead to more sales online.

An ONIX message is a set of data elements defined by "tags" that is written in the computer language XML (eXtensible Markup Language) and that conforms to a specific template, or set of rules, also known as the ONIX DTD (Document Type Definition). The DTD defines, among other things, how to order the data elements, and how the elements are interrelated.

Although ONIX specifies over 200 possible data elements, BISG has identified only 31 as best practice. To view detailed guidelines for all 31 best practice data elements, click here to download Product Metadata Best Practices.

Back to top


Why does ONIX for Books use XML?

ONIX uses XML for a number of reasons:
  • XML is optimized for creating complex documents and transmitting and exchanging data between computers.
  • XML is text-readable, meaning that humans as well as computers can recognize and read the data. Most tags, which define each book data element, consist of English words or abbreviations- for instance, an ONIX message would list the Publisher's name as follows: " Scribner's ". These factors make it easier for smaller organizations to design and implement ONIX-compliant systems.
  • XML software is inexpensive, meaning that even smaller publishers can use it, which was a major goal of the Metadata Committee


Back to top


How is an ONIX for Books message created?

Creating an ONIX message involves two steps:
  • organizing the book data into ONIX-specified fields and storing it in a database;
  • using an XML software application and the ONIX DTD (the set of rules) to organize and tag that data.
A single ONIX message may contain data about multiple books.

Back to top


How is an ONIX for Books message transmitted/received?

An ONIX message is transmitted across networks and the Internet the same way other data is -- for instance, as an email attachment or by ftp (file transfer protocol).

Once an ONIX message is received by, say, an online retailer, the same tools (an XML software application and the ONIX DTD) are used to verify the data's integrity. From that point, the retailer translates that data into what you see on a web page. (The matter of how much of the data is displayed on their web page is strictly up to the retailer.)

Back to top


What is the future of ONIX for Books?

The international book industry has made ONIX the accepted means for transferring data between trading partners.

Major online booksellers, such as Amazon, BN.com and Borders have adopted ONIX. Major wholesalers and catalog publishers, such as Ingram and R.R. Bowker, have also adopted the ONIX. Wider industry acceptance will lead to increased efficiencies in the transfer of book data, which will ultimately benefit book sales. Future issues to be addressed include adding standards for electronic books, video and incorporating concepts of digital rights. In addition, processes for certifying that transmitted data is valid and correct are being developed. ONIX will continue to evolve as needs are identified.

Back to top


Which companies use ONIX for Books in the U.S.?

There are a number of organizations and individual operations that use ONIX in the US. The following is a list of some, but not all:
  • Amazon.com
  • American Booksellers Association (ABA)
  • Association of American Publishers (AAP)
  • Association of American University Presses (AAUP)
  • American Wholesale Booksellers Association
  • Baker & Taylor
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Bowker
  • Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA)
  • Google
  • Hachette Book Group
  • Harcourt Trade Publishing
  • HarperCollins Publishers
  • Ingram Book Company
  • Library of Congress
  • McGraw-Hill Companies
  • MUZE, Inc.
  • Nielsen BookScan
  • Penguin Group (USA)
  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
  • Simon and Schuster

You may also want to check out BISG's ONIX Users' Directory for more information. To involve your organization, please contact BISG.

Back to top


Where can I find the complete ONIX for Books standard?

Currently, ONIX is now published and maintained by EDItEUR in association with BISG in the U.S. and BIC in the UK. The latest version of ONIX is referred to as ONIX for Books.

Click here to view and download the latest release: ONIX for Books 3.0.

Back to top


Where can I go for further information?

Fortunately, you don't have to be a technical genius to implement ONIX in your company. There are services that will do it for you. A listing of companies who offer these services can be found in the Technical Service Providers section of the ONIX Users' Directory.

For those who would like to go it alone, an e-forum called the ONIX Users' Listserv has been created to allow those implementing ONIX to ask questions of other users and the ONIX Technical Consultants. The forum is open to all current and prospective users of the standards.

Finally, feel free to contact the BISG office with general questions.

Back to top


FURTHER RESOURCES FOR ONIX IMPLEMENTERS

  • ONIX Implementer's Listserv
    An e-forum created to allow those implementing ONIX International to ask questions of other users and the ONIX Technical Consultants. The forum is open to all current & prospective users of the standards.
  • ONIX Users Directory
    A listing of current ONIX users
  • Downloads and Lists
    Latest general release: ONIX for Books, Release 3.0
  • Introduction to ONIX for Books, Release 3.0 (PDF)
    A broad overview of the main features of the latest version of ONIX
  • Product Metadata Best Practices
    Detailed instructions for improving the accuracy of data throughout the supply chain while speeding the processing of that data among trading partners.

    Back to top


    ONIX ADMINISTRATORS

    The organizations responsible for the development, promotion and implementation of ONIX within the international book industry are:

    Europe
    EDItEUR is an international organization with European origins that coordinates the development, promotion, and implementation of EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) in the books and serials sectors. It helps maintain ONIX for the European and international communities.

    United Kingdom
    Book Industry Communication (BIC) is based in the U.K. and was organized and is sponsored by The Publishers Association, The Booksellers Association, The Library Association, and The British Library to develop and promote standards for electronic commerce and communication in the book and serials industry. It helps maintain ONIX for the European and international communities.

    United States
    The Book Industry Study Group, Inc. (BISG) currently maintains ONIX for the U.S. publishing industry. As a membership-supported, not-for-profit research organization comprised of several sectors from the publishing community, its goal is to provide accurate and current research information about the industry for its members and others.


    Back to top

    ]]> Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:00 PDT <![CDATA[Agency Terms in ONIX]]>
    Thanks to timely action by the Metadata Committee of the Book Industry Study Group (BISG), and in collaboration with an ad-hoc group representing BISG, the Association of American Publishers, the UK Publishers Association and EDItEUR, rapid provisions were made in ONIX for Books to allow for a standard means of communicating agency terms for e-book sales.

    Code values are available in Code Lists Issue 12 (November 12, 2010) to address the new agency model requirements. To help companies implement these code values a "how to guide", with examples, is included in a BISG/BIC publication entitled "How to Specify Different Terms of Supply in Different Territories".

    This business requirement is fully supported in both ONIX 2.1 and ONIX 3.0, and the guidelines and examples cover both releases. That said, the "how to guide" will also be helpful for those needing to specify different terms in different supply territories even if they are not adopting an agency model.]]>     Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:00 PDT     <![CDATA[Product Data Certification Program]]>

    Program Details


    Program basics: what, who and how?

    1. What is the Product Data Certification Program (PDCP)? The PDCP is a voluntary program that objectively evaluates product information against the clearly defined criteria found in the Metadata Committee's Product Metadata Best Practices. Data files, submitted in either ONIX or Excel, are evaluated by a certification panel composed of representatives from leading data recipients in North America, including Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Bowker, Ingram and the Library of Congress.
    2. Who can apply? The program is open to all suppliers of product data.
    3. How do I apply? Click here.

    Back to top


    Product data eligible for certification

    Products first become subject to data certification 180 days prior to their publication or on-sale date and remain subject to data certification until 180 days after their publication or on-sale date.

    All products intended for sale to consumers that move through the book industry supply chain and that are numbered with a Bookland EAN are subject to data certification. This includes non-book products such as calendars, stationery, maps, recorded music, video products, games, etc. that carry Bookland EANs. Multi-volume sets intended for consumer sale are subject to data certification. Products not intended for sale to consumers, such as pre-packs, dump-bins, displays, signage, etc., are explicitly excluded from data certification.

    Back to top


    The evaluation process

    Files are evaluated for timeliness, file structure and adherence to Best Practices. Each file undergoes a three-part evaluation.
    1. ONIX files are tested for conformance with the EDItEUR DTD and for the presence of valid XML structure. Excel files are checked for conformance with BookNet Canada's Bronze template.
    2. The files are then checked for the presence of valid data within the mandatory data fields specified below. Eighty percent (80%) of a supplier's records must contain valid data in each measurable data point for a supplier's file to be passed on to the certification panel for further evaluation and qualitative scoring. Product records that are missing ALL data from any of the required measurable data elements will not be counted as records that "pass" certification.
    3. If the file meets the minimum quantitative score of 80%, the file is passed along to the certification panel, who will review a representative sample of records for qualitative attributes; that is, the quality of the data itself will be evaluated. Sixteen fields (see below) will be reviewed for their accuracy, applicability and adherence to best practices. A score is assessed, based on the percentage of inaccurate or badly formatted data within each field; the fields are weighted differently to reflect the relative importance of each field from the perspective of the data recipients.
    An applicant's score will be confidential and not divulged to any parties other than the applicant, the members of the certification panel and the BISG staff who administer the program.

    Note: Data points that do not apply to every product (e.g., series data) will NOT be included in the calculation of a data supplier's numeric score, but the omission of such data in records where it should have been included will be noted by the certification panel in its evaluation.

    Back to top


    Data included in the quantitative evaluation

    All products to be released in the 180 days following the date on which the submitted file was produced are evaluated for the presence of valid data in the following data elements :

    • ISBN-13/EAN.UCC-13
    • Title
    • Contributor(s) [-1-]
    • Publisher / imprint / brand name
    • Price (prices for all markets where this ISBN may be sold should be included)
    • Publisher's proprietary discount code
    • Publisher status code
    • Product availability code
    • Product form / format / binding / packaging
    • Strict-on-sale date [-2-]
    • BISAC Subject Code(s)
    • Language of product content
    • Series data [-1-]
    • Replaces / replaced by [-2-]
    • Case pack / carton quantity
    [-1-] This data point does not necessarily apply to every product; in cases where this data does not apply to a given product, an indication should be given that there is no applicable data.

    [-2-] This data point does not necessarily apply to every product; in cases where this data does not apply to a given product, no data should be supplied in this data element. In such cases, the omission of this data will not count as an incomplete record for purposes of certification.

    All products released within the 180 days prior to the date on which the test file was produced are evaluated for the presence of valid data in the following data elements:

    • ISBN-13/EAN.UCC-13
    • Title
    • Contributor(s) [-1-]
    • Publisher / imprint / brand name
    • Price (prices for all markets where this ISBN may be sold should be included)
    • Publisher's proprietary discount code
    • Publisher status code
    • Product availability code
    • Product form / format / binding / packaging
    • Strict-on-sale date [-2-]
    • BISAC Subject Code(s)
    • Language of product content
    • Series data [-1-]
    • Replaces / replaced by [-2-]
    • Case pack / carton quantity
    • ONIX Audience Code
    • Age range of target audience [-2-]
    • Territorial rights
    • Bar code indicator
    • Weight and dimensions
    • Return code
    • Page count, running time, and extent
    • Distributor / vendor of record
    • Textual description of product
    [-1-] This data point does not necessarily apply to every product; in cases where this data does not apply to a given product, an indication should be given that there is no applicable data.

    [-2-] This data point does not necessarily apply to every product; in cases where this data does not apply to a given product, no data should be supplied in this data element. In such cases, the omission of this data will not count as an incomplete record for purposes of certification.

    Back to top


    Data points included in the qualitative evaluation

    The following data points are evaluated for the correct usage and format suggested by Product Metadata Best Practices:

    • Title
    • Contributor(s) [-1-]
    • Publisher / imprint / brand name
    • Price (prices for all markets where this ISBN may be sold should be included) [-1-]
    • Publisher status code
    • Publication Date
    • Product availability code
    • Product form / format / binding / packaging
    • BISAC Subject Code(s)
    • Language of product content
    • Strict-on-sale date [-2-]
    • Series data [-1-]
    • Volume Number / Set Data [-2-]
    • Edition Data [-1-]
    • ONIX Audience Code
    • Age range of target audience [-2-]
    • Textual description of product
    • Illustration Details
    • Digital Image of Product
    [-1-] This data point does not necessarily apply to every product; in cases where this data does not apply to a given product, an indication should be given that there is no applicable data.

    [-2-] This data point does not necessarily apply to every product; in cases where this data does not apply to a given product, no data should be supplied in this data element. In such cases, the omission of this data will not count as an incomplete record for purposes of certification.

    Back to top


    Data points not applicable to a given product

    Where noted in the lists above, certain data points should be supplied only as applicable. Data suppliers using ONIX should utilize the ONIX data points that indicate, for example, no series data applies to a given product in such cases. It is expected that in ONIX 3.0 a provision will be made to indicate that a given set of data (e.g., series data, edition data, illustration data, etc.) does not apply to a given product, and such an indication will then be mandatory when no data is supplied for a given set of data points.

    Back to top


    Valid file formats

    ONIX 2.1 and 3.0 files will be accepted. Detailed information about ONIX can be found at the EDItEUR website.

    Alternatively, BISAC has designated the BookNet Canada (BNC) Bronze Template (Excel format) for bibliographic data for data suppliers who have not implemented ONIX. The BNC Bronze Template and supporting documentation may be found on BookNet Canada's website.

    Back to top


    Recertification Requirements

    Product Data Certification is good for one year; each data supplier must re-certify annually.

    Back to top


    Reciprocal product data certification programs in other countries

    PDCP has been designed in close consultation with BookNet Canada (BNC). It is anticipated that any data file certified by PDCP will be acceptable to BNC.

    The data certification programs in place in the UK (BIC Basic) and Australia (Australian Publishers Association [APA]) require the supply of some data points specific to those markets (e.g., BIC Subject Codes) that many North American publishers are not currently capable of supplying. All data points that are common to the BISG, BIC, and APA certification programs, however, should be measured using compatible guidelines.

    Back to top


    Additional information


    You may also contact the BISG office by calling 646-336-7141 or emailing info@bisg.org.

    ]]>     Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:00:00 PST