Ordering guidelines for new and backlist titles

Last updated June 23, 2009

• Beginning January 1, 2007
• Electronic Book Ordering
  
• Direct-Dial EDI and the Replacement of Fixed BISAC Format

Beginning January 1, 2007

All book industry organizations should convert their ISBN-10s into ISBN-13s to allow for the ordering of all new and backlist books using the new ISBN-13 standard. Rules for converting ISBN-10s into ISBN-13s are available on the Conversions and Calculations page of this website.

However, because each book industry organization (e.g., publisher, book supplier, book buyer, etc.) is responsible for determining its own ISBN-13 implementation plan and schedule, there may be some industry organizations who are unprepared to send, accept and/or process book orders using ISBN-13 by January 1, 2007. Industry organizations should remain aware of this potential problem and retain the capability to accept orders using ISBN-10s until all trading partners have completed the transition to ISBN-13.

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Electronic Book Ordering

Guidelines for accommodating ISBN-13 identifiers within general EDI transactions are located in BISG's EDI Strategies for the Book Industry and the 13-digit ISBN.

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Direct-Dial EDI and the Replacement of Fixed BISAC Format

In the age of ISBN-13, BISAC fixed-format EDI, which is often used when transacting EDI via direct-dial, is severely limited. The fixed-format does not permit varying the length of the ISBN field to accommodate 13-digit ISBNs or including multiple product identifier codes for each line item or using qualifiers to define what the numbers are.

Although fixed-format EDI served the book industry well over the past 30 years, its time has clearly passed. Because it cannot adequately meet the needs of ISBN-13, BISG voted in September 2004 to cease maintenance of it. In other words, there are no plans to make the fixed-format work with the new 13- and/or 14-digit product identifier codes.

BISG recommends that any company using fixed-format EDI to transmit and receive business documents via direct-dial immediately implement ASC X12 EDI as the format of choice -- moving toward XML as the industry transitions.

This recommendation will be of most value to POS vendors and publishers who need to know how to reconfigure their systems in light of ISBN-13. Retailers who want to know how to deal with their direct-dial orders should first contact their POS vendor to find out what upgrades, if any, they need to make. After making the required changes, retailers should then contact their publisher trading partners individually and schedule tests to insure that the new setup is working correctly.

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