Questions & Answers About
Bowker's UK Data Collection
| Q: |
What is Bowker? |
| A: |
Bowker is a publishing information firm established in 1872. Bowker is also the ISBN Agency for the US, Puerto Rico, and Australia. With more than 130 years of experience in bibliographic data collection, management and dissemination, Bowker is well equipped to serve retail, publisher and library communities with timely and comprehensive title data. Bowker’s original database, Books In Print, is the established authority for book information in the US. Our long-established International database, Global Books In Print, covers all English- language titles and is also the exclusive source of book information for the library and retail community throughout much of the global market, where we have an extensive and growing customer base. Bowker employs over 250 staff worldwide, with its UK offices based in East Grinstead. |
| BACK TO TOP |
|
| Q: |
What is your relationship with Nielsen Bookdata? |
| A: |
Bowker has worked closely with both Whitaker and Bookdata over the years and will continue to work with Nielsen Bookdata on business initiatives in which our interests are compatible. Global Books in Print contains several sources of UK bibliographic data, one of which is a feed from Bookdata. However, effective March 30th 2005 we will not renew our license for a new and forthcoming feed, in favour of collecting the data ourselves directly from publishers. |
| BACK TO TOP |
|
| Q: |
Why cancel your data feed from Bookdata? |
| A: |
It’s important to remember that Bowker is an established and respected bibliographic data aggregator. We have a highly structured, efficient and sophisticated data acquisition operation with a strong focus on implementation of automated processes. For many years we have worked closely with US, Australian and Canadian publishers to ensure their data reaches customers in a timely and efficient manner. In so doing, we ensure excellent data provision to users which is clearly critical and indeed the basis of Bowker’s ongoing success. We are in an excellent position to leverage this experience to deliver the same quality of service to UK publishers and data subscribers. As already mentioned we have an extensive and growing customer base for Global Books In Print, including major library consortia, national, academic and public libraries, booksellers, retail chains and publishers. We believe that we will better serve their needs by collecting and managing UK publisher data ourselves. Additionally, this will allow us to offer a competitive rich source of UK bibliographic data to those who currently have only one choice. |
| BACK TO TOP |
|
| Q: |
Do you believe there is genuine potential for a second UK data aggregator following the merger of Whitaker and Bookdata? |
| A: |
In your own PN Frankfurt edition of 9th October you quote Francis Bennett, MD of Nielsen, “I am entirely in favour of competition, it keeps everyone on their toes…” Bowker, and certainly many of the major retailers and publishers we have spoken to over the past months, would certainly agree with and welcome this. Competition delivers real choice, price benefits, and importantly drives improved quality of service and data. It is our opinion that competition will not undervalue data but ensure value is maintained and improved through quality, timeliness and service. |
| BACK TO TOP |
|
| Q: |
Why doesn’t Bowker charge Publishers? |
| A: |
Rather than being a new strategy for easier acceptance in the UK market, this is the model Bowker has always followed. To provide comprehensive, rich and current data to customers we do not want any barrier, including cost, to make this prohibitive. As such we do not charge for any publisher services whether supplying rich value-added content or loading, updating and amending records online through www.Bowkerlink.co.uk where data feeds into Global Books In Print, and ultimately to customers, within approximately 48 hours. With no cost barrier, we are in a position to collect extensive rich book information which benefits not only publishers of all sizes, but ultimately subscribers to the service with its breadth and coverage. This has certainly been our experience in US, Canada, and Australia. |
| BACK TO TOP |
|
| Q: |
What are the benefits to UK publishers of supplying their data directly to Bowker? |
| A: |
Leaving aside the fact that inclusion in the database is free and will ultimately deliver the benefits of competition to all, it is important that our many existing customers who use GlobalBooksInPrint.com to source new and forthcoming data for collection development and stock orders, receive authoritative, rich and timely publisher data. Subscribers generally use one source for book information so by feeding into Bowker’s database directly, publishers will improve their title representation and reach an audience they may not otherwise reach. There is also opportunity for publishers with limited exposure in US, Canada and Australia to easily feed US or Australian dollar price to reach a huge audience outside UK. From a marketing perspective Bowker includes, for free, rich, value-added content from publishers, such as cover images, annotations, and more, and this allows for a more comprehensive title profile in GlobalBooksInPrint.com. |
| BACK TO TOP |
|
| Q: |
How are you adapting your operations to manage this data? |
| |
Clearly we accept that this is a major undertaking but again I stress that we are not new to this business. We already effectively and efficiently handle huge amounts of data. We have obviously expanded and invested in both UK and US operations with US managing data testing, quality control, integration, etc., leveraging existing systems. UK operations have expanded with the addition of key personnel, including Evelyn Nicholas with extensive publisher relations experience, to meet the needs of local publishers, manage at source the large amounts of incoming data and ensure there is comprehensive publisher support. |
| BACK TO TOP |
|
| Q: |
When will your database be available? |
| A: |
We will have a fully independent global database by April 1st and are confident of comprehensive UK coverage. We have received very little resistance from the many publishers we have contacted to date, and indeed in most cases are actively supported in our efforts. In addition we have a number of secondary feeds that will ensure full coverage, but clearly primary feed from publisher is highly desirable. We are confident that the database will continue to grow in richness, depth and coverage throughout the year. |
| BACK TO TOP |
|
| Q: |
How can publishers send their data to you? |
| A: |
As an established data aggregator we accept and include data in all formats -- hardcopy, CD and electronic via post, email and FTP. Ultimately electronic, and Onix specifically, is the most effective transmission method ensuring fast and accurate turnaround. However, we commit to fast turnaround on other submission methods. For publishers of 100 titles or less, Bowkerlink provides publishers the best and most instant control over their data. Simply go to www.bowkerlink.co.uk and follow instructions to register, upload, add and amend your titles and jackets. Data is then output to customers within about 48 hours following automated quality checks and exception reports. All data, information and queries should be emailed to datasubmission@bowker.co.uk. Visit our website at www.bowker.co.uk and see the link “Are we receiving your data?” for full details on data fields, submission forms and additional information. |
| BACK TO TOP |
|
| Q: |
When should publishers start to send their data to Bowker? |
| A: |
Although we will re-launch on April 1st it is important that we receive publisher data directly before then for all new and forthcoming titles. The sooner the better. Especially in light of the fact that Global Books In Print is the database partner of the London Book Fair with free access through the show site for attendees, and exhibit stand number by publisher records in the database for those who are exhibiting at the show.
Contact Bowker at:
Bowker UK Ltd
1st Floor, Medway House
Cantelupe Road
East Grinstead
RH19 3BJ
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: 01342 310463\485
Fax: 01342 310486
Email: datasubmission@bowker.co.uk
|
| BACK TO TOP |
|
|
| * PDF files open in a new browser window, and require Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or higher to open. Click to download this free reader. |
|
|
 |
|
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
> PRODUCT CATALOG
> Online Databases
> CD/Disc Products
> Print Products
> Analysis & Reporting
> Supply Chain Services
> PubEasy
> Pubnet
> Data Licensing
> Product Training
> Technical Support
Jump To:
OUR COMPANY
OUR BRANDS
OUR MARKETS
NEWS ROOM
|
