biz.yahoo.com
Over 2000 SoftBook Readers(TM) In Use to Improve Circulation Management at The Arizona Republic Newspaper
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7, 2000-- SoftBook Press today announced it has signed an exclusive agreement with the Arizona Republic daily newspaper under which SoftBook Press content preparation tools, Internet-based distribution technologies, and SoftBook Readers are being incorporated with the newspaper's computerized distribution system.
The system currently being deployed will distribute database route information to over 2,000 SoftBook Readers to improve the efficiency of route personnel. To date, this is the largest application of electronic books in the world.
The SoftBook-based thin client application will enable delivery staff to use the SoftBook Reader's built-in modem to download critical route information each night from The Arizona Republic's CIRC 2000(TM) circulation system -- updated data such as new customers; those who are on vacation and have suspended delivery for a period of time; or customers whose deliveries have been stopped. Accurate route information and directions enable route drivers to eliminate costly errors and missed deliveries, as well as to deliver multiple products.
``SoftBook technology has improved customer service and reduced distribution costs. Over a five-month test period we've found that incidents of missed or erroneous deliveries were reduced in some districts by fifty percent,' said Chris Christian, director of circulation for The Republic. ``SoftBook provides the best delivery system to put daily route information in the hands of the people who actually deliver our newspapers. It's easy to use, doesn't require a lot of training, and doesn't require a PC. We're exploring new opportunities of how we might use SoftBook to assist with the distribution of information in other areas of our business.'
CNT, a technology and technical-service company of Central Newspapers, Inc., introduced SoftBook Press to The Arizona Republic as a delivery solution for the circulation management system. ``Nationwide there's a tremendous opportunity for a fast, simple way to get distribution routes right all the time, and we think SoftBook fills that need extremely well,' said Bill Toner, President of CNT. ``As we take aim at that enormous business opportunity, we expect SoftBook to play a key role in the overall solution.'
``The Arizona Republic's use of the SoftBook document distribution system is a terrific example of our capability to play a central role in a wide range of business-critical IT solutions,' said James Sachs, CEO and chairman of SoftBook Press, Inc. ``Using our tools, CNT seamlessly integrated our technology into their database-driven system.'
The Arizona Republic has a daily circulation of more than 500,000, primarily in the Phoenix metro area. The newspaper is also the Phoenix area distributor for the New York Times and The Investors Business Daily.
The SoftBook Reader is the only ebook reader that loads documents directly via a phone line or network connection without requiring the use of a PC. The Reader offers the convenience of being able to download corporate documents, books, and magazines from anywhere there is a standard phone jack or network connection. Its full-page, brightly backlit screen which displays text, charts and graphics, combined with powerful interactive features such as search, annotation and hyperlinks, provides an optimum reading experience. |
