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Popular library stock management software unveils new U.K. brand




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Glasgow company migrates smartsm brand to collectionHQ to reinforce worldwide brand value –

GLASGOW, Scotland, April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – collectionHQ, the world-leading collection performance improvement solution that helps libraries better manage their holdings, announced today that it is unifying its brand in the United Kingdom market to ensure consistency and streamline development as it expands worldwide.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130402/CL86810LOGO )

In all of the markets it serves – including North America, Australia, New Zealand, U.K. and Ireland – the product will be known as collectionHQ. Since 2007, it was marketed in the U.K. as smartsm. Existing U.K. customers have already been advised of the rebranding. Customers will experience no changes in the functionality or operation of the product.

“Ensuring a consistent brand for collectionHQ will bring clarity to the market and reinforce its core values, as more libraries understand the appeal of an evidence-based approach to managing their collections,” said Scott Crawford, Vice President and General Manager of collectionHQ. “This approach also helps us align our marketing, product development and customer service operations to continue to serve our customers in the most timely and efficient manner.”

With headquarters in Glasgow, collectionHQ has expanded rapidly since the 2011 sale of its parent company, Bridgeall Libraries Ltd., to U.S.-based Baker Taylor, Inc., the world’s largest distributor of digital and physical books and entertainment products. collectionHQ has increased employees in the Glasgow office by more than half as it continues to add new customers in the United Kingdom and worldwide.

collectionHQ is used by many of the top library systems in the U.S., U.K. and Australasia. By analyzing circulation data to discover trends, it helps libraries save time and money, improve circulation and align their collections with local demand.

About collectionHQ
collectionHQ is the world-leading Evidence Based Stock Management (EBSM™) software application. Easy to implement, simple to use and extremely cost-effective, collectionHQ delivers repeatable performance improvements for library stock by providing evidence-based analysis, advice and performance monitoring of all stock across all media. It helps libraries save money by improving use of existing stock and making purchasing more effective by creating evidence-based specifications, which cater to local demand. It also helps staff make better use of their time by allowing them to focus where they are most needed. collectionHQ improves stock performance by identifying local demand and suggesting action plans on how to address this demand – improving the quality of service, demonstrating best value and improving local marketing. collectionHQ is owned by Baker Taylor, the world’s largest distributor of digital and physical books and entertainment products.

SOURCE collectionHQ

Article source: http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/popular-library-stock-management-software-unveils-new-uk-brand-201047941.html

Blurb announces a global partnership with Samsung for auto-creating stunning photo books and magazines


- Samsung GALAXY S 4 users can now instantly convert their digital photos into rich print memories that last a lifetime

SAN FRANCISCO, March 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Blurb, the global creative publishing platform, today announces its partnership with Samsung Electronics to power worldwide book and magazine print production and fulfillment within Story Album for Samsung GALAXY S 4, Samsung’s newly announced flagship smartphone. Users of Samsung GALAXY S 4 will be able to automatically create professional quality print photo books and magazines quickly and seamlessly from their camera phone images.

“People love the convenience and immediacy of camera phone imagery, but they also prize the beauty and permanence of print media,” said Eileen Gittins, Blurb’s CEO and Founder. “As our lives become increasingly digital, people are genuinely appreciating the value of physical artifacts,” Gittins continued. “By combining the remarkable image quality that the GALAXY S 4 offers with the easy production of books and magazines that Blurb brings, everyone gets the best of digital and analog.”

Until now, there has not been a simple and elegant way to curate and design, and then order a book or magazine directly from the smartphone itself. Samsung and Blurb teamed up to solve this problem via the pre-installed Story Album and its auto-generated layouts that instantly convert into print-worthy publications.

“The Samsung GALAXY S 4 is equipped with the superb quality camera and unique, sophisticated features maximizing the usage of photography experiences,” said Chan-Woo Park, Vice President of Product Strategy Team at Samsung. “We expect our customers will want to output their beautiful images into equally beautiful books and magazines. Our partnership with Blurb will provide the top-of-the-class experience for our customers.”

Blurb brings Samsung massive capacity and redundancy via its six print locations on three continents, support for the world’s major currencies and languages, and deep shipping and logistics expertise. Blurb is already a global company having delivered more than 6.5 million books to 70 countries to date, with half of its revenues currently generated outside the United States.

Like Blurb on Facebook, and follow on Twitter. For more information on how you can get started creating your own Blurb book or magazine, please visit http://www.blurb.com/.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales exceeding KRW 201 trillion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Blurb®

Every story is its own adventure. Blurb® is a creative publishing platform that unleashes the creative genius inside everyone. Blurb’s platform makes it easy to design, publish, market and sell professional-quality books, catalogs and magazines in both print and digital forms. Through its bookstore and online marketing tools, Blurb enables its book-makers to sell their work, while its social and community features allow customers to create and share Blurb books across social channels.

Founded by Eileen Gittins in 2005, Blurb includes a team of design, Internet and software veterans who share a passion for helping people bring their stories to life. To date, Blurb has shipped over 6.5 million books to 70 countries. In 2010, Blurb was ranked the fastest growing media company on the Inc. 500. Blurb is based in San Francisco with offices in London. For more info, visit www.blurb.comsamsung.

SOURCE Blurb

RELATED LINKS
http://www.blurb.com

Article source: http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/blurb-announces-a-global-partnership-with-samsung-for-auto-creating-stunning-photo-books-and-magazines-198401631.html

YUDU Media Partners with Top That! Publishing to Produce Interactive Licensed Froobles iBooks


- Digital Publishing Platform Brings Flagship Fruit and Veggie Characters to Life with Interactive Story and Activity Books for Preschoolers

LONDON, March 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Digital publishing pioneer YUDU Media today announced a new partnership with Top That! Publishing that brings the company’s best-selling The Froobles series of children’s books to life with interactive features on the iBooks platform. YUDU will debut the first two licensed The Froobles iBook titles, At the Seaside and Fairytale Adventure, at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, March 25-28.

The new digital series for preschoolers, based on the popular fruit and vegetable characters, will add a host of fun, interactive games and activities to the much-loved book series designed to encourage children to read, teach important life lessons and promote early learning. Each book is full of little surprises that let children tap, swipe, listen, read, draw, color and sing-along as they embark on an adventure with their favorite characters.

“We’re incredibly pleased to have another great new licensing partner for The Froobles brand,” said David Henderson, managing director of Top That! Publishing, said. “We think children will really engage with the YUDU iBook range and it’s another positive step for our little characters learning big lessons about growing up.”

With more than a million copies of The Froobles books sold in just the first 12 months, the series has already earned Top That! a spot as a finalist for the IPG London Book Fair International Achievement Award 2013 for overseas sales.

“Inspiring kids to become lifelong readers requires a new breed of engaging, interactive content,” said Richard Stephenson, CEO of YUDU. “The combination of The Froobles’ fun and relatable characters with the interactive elements made possible through the YUDU platform will make this new series irresistible for children. And, parents will also appreciate the important lessons and educational activities packaged into one.”

The YUDU multi-platform publishing system enables publishers to convert books, magazines and educational materials into multiple digital formats and augment the content with multimedia elements such as video, animations, games and quizzes, and a Read Aloud capability to aid early readers. The system can also be used to convert corporate materials, brochures, catalogs and more into multi-platform digital publications.

The Froobles already have publishing partners in China, South Korea, North America, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Additional countries are set to join the worldwide publishing program at the Bologna Book Fair.

For more information on The Froobles brand and YUDU iBooks please visit www.topthatpublishing.com. For more on how the YUDU Media platform can deliver fast ROI for print-to-digital book, magazine and other printed material conversion, visit www.yudu.com.

About YUDU Media

YUDU is a digital publishing support service provider, offering the YUDU Cloud Publishing Platform, which enables digital publishing for iOS, Android, Windows and Web. YUDU is a trademark of YUDU Media Corp. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

About The Froobles

The Froobles are a preschool character brand launched by Top That! Publishing in October 2011, and are made up of unique characters that have been brought to life by the magic of children’s imaginations. The Froobles live in an ever-changing world in which they have fun adventures while learning valuable lessons along the way. The Froobles brand is educational, while being positive, fun and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Over 1.2 million Froobles books have been sold since launch. Visit www.froobles.com for more information on the worldwide book publishing and licensing program.

SOURCE YUDU Media

RELATED LINKS
http://www.yudu.com

Article source: http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/yudu-media-partners-with-top-that-publishing-to-produce-interactive-licensed-froobles-ibooks-196249551.html

Increased Educational Apps Demand Grows App Development Business

ipad developmentPRLog (Press Release)Mar. 5, 2013 – According to recent research reports, a sharp increase in number of iPad users has been found and most of them are from the student age group. This tends to increase in the demand of educational apps which ultimately increases the demand of quality ipad application developers. Educational apps which can keep the interest of students and available with key curriculum concepts can serve integrated service demand. Students like the apps having fun and intuitive.

Majority of district schools are conceding bonds for purchasing of digital text books and iPad. On the ground of high investment, it has been figure out that the paper test books will soon superseded and technology will take place of it. Educational iPad app development should be efficient to use in the class room. While designing educational apps, software designers should keep certain things in their mind.

The interface used in application must be perceptive.

It should be designed in a way to fulfill the demand of various easy learning styles.

Applications should contain explaining graphics for easy understanding of chapters.

There should be options available to navigate over web.

Social media integration is also necessary for these applications.

There should be enough supplements to supply detail information on topics and clear concepts of chapters.

iPad applications should also be efficient to be accessed by disabled.

It should involve voice command.

These are some important supplements that must be available inside the educational iPad games. Using ipad device in classroom means it should be available to most of the students. So, the app should be designed in way which can be easily sent to new device if students upgrade their device. The maintenance cost should also be minimal.

More Details: http://www.rootinfosol.co.uk/technology/ipad-development

The recent upgrades in technology show that the eBooks will soon replace the textbooks. iPad is an easy device to interact with the instructors. It is also ideal for group projects with discussion and sharing options.

It will surely enhance the creativity of students. iPad app development for education purpose has glowing future in coming years.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/12092167/1

Article source: http://www.prlog.org/12092167-increased-educational-apps-demand-grows-app-development-business.html

So you have a concept for a product and you want to get it to market …?

PRLog (Press Release)Feb. 27, 2013 – And, once you have that perfected, you might want to make a few changes; a tweak here a refinement there, perhaps do a little test marketing…

Once the modifications are made and suppliers found for the necessary raw materials, the next step would be to fire up the production line and start stocking up ready for launch.

But what if you could take your product to show a potential client before it’s available on the high street? Imagine showing someone what your latest innovation would look like in their showroom, their shop, their home, their hotel lobby – all without having to find a real customer from the relevant sector willing to let you use their premises as a photo studio.

Of course, the technology has existed for some time – for so long, in fact, our children pretty much take it for granted as they battle with the bad guys on their Xbox or PS3.

But it’s only recently that 3D technology has spread into the commercial world – and the battle is on to be at the cutting edge of a revolution which could even change the way we go shopping for ever.

“I started my career in the games industry where imagery is king,” said Yorkshire-based SoVibrant’s head of media Mo Akhtar. “It’s all about making things feel as real as possible to give the gamer the sense they’re really there.

“That’s not been so important commercially until now but, with 3D imaging becoming an increasingly established part of the marketing mix, the demand for innovation is likely to grow – and we’re determined to lead the way.

“In the past, companies like ours have steered away from offering virtual environments as acquiring the necessary computer hardware and software has been dismissed as too expensive. However, if demand and clients’ expectations continue to grow, more studios will want to overcome the obstacle of costs – and those who don’t could find they’ve been left behind.”

SoVibrant is no stranger to large-scale projects. The company is the creative force behind designs for glassolutions – the UK’s leading provider of glass for the architectural and building industries – and innovative office furniture designers Orangebox

Using 3D technology has allowed both to show off their latest products in the best possible light – all without the need to build, staff or maintain warehouse-sized showrooms or to hire studios for photography.

“So far, our sector has been all about creating what the eye expects to see, not what is actually there,” said Mo. “In real life, you might be looking at an item next to something illuminated by an orange light bulb; there is bound to be some tinge or reflection on any bright-coloured surface nearby.

“In real life, your eye doesn’t notice it but put that in a picture and you can’t help it; it just looks wrong. A good 3D studio can correct that and allow a client to show off their product in the best possible light.

“You can also place a client in a market they’re aspiring to enter but haven’t yet managed to crack. For example, if you wanted to show how your furnishings would look in a hotel but you don’t yet have one on your books, we can just create a “virtual” lobby or a bedroom in 3D.

“Suddenly you can compete in that sector – and all without having to target a buyer who may be able to open doors.”

Kathryn Dalglish of Glassolutions confirmed, in her company’s view, flexibility is one of the main assets of 3D.

“It was a way for us to showcase a variety of products in one setting, and to create others relevant to our target audiences,” she said.

“Key advantages are savings in both time and cost. If you’re using 3D, you don’t have to wait until a new project is completed before you can put it on display or spend money on “sets” which can be expensive.

“I think I can say with some confidence that it’s certainly going to be a key tool for us moving forward.”

And Guy Stanley from Armour Blinds said 3D imagery is already a vital tool which allows the company to show clients what its products would look like in a working environment.

“Our clients can get an impression of what our range would look like in an environment which feels familiar to them without us having to invest in showroom space and sales staff to fill it,” he said.

“We’re all about innovation in the workplace and using 3D helps us present ourselves and our products in the best possible light. It’s sharper, reflects our up-market image and it’s a lot more flexible.

“Images are massively important for us and our clients and play a massive part in projects and marketing. A return on investment is hard to measure on any marketing strategy but it certainly helps create a high-class brand image.”

Article source: http://www.prlog.org/12088228-so-you-have-concept-for-product-and-you-want-to-get-it-to-market.html