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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT Josephine Fiamingo, Marketing, R.R. BowkerPubnet LLC 908-219-0157 Pubnet LLC Introduces Next-Generation Electronic Commerce System Designed Exclusively for the Book Trade, Pubnet 2000TM Moves to the Internet To Streamline Ordering, Provide More Information Resources VIENNA, VA, March 31, 1998 - Pubnet LLC, the developer of the pioneering electronic commerce system that links booksellers, publishers and suppliers, today launched a new, Internet-based version of its popular PUBNET® service. The new system, Pubnet 2000, is easy for anyone ordering books to use, no matter what their skill level with computers: Registered users can go to the Pubnet 2000 Web site (www.pubnet.org), click on the Member Services icon, type their password and place orders via the clear, graphical screens of commonly available browsers. Pubnet 2000 also offers online access to a specially enhanced version of R.R. Bowker's Books in Print®, the publishing community's universally recognized reference database. In addition to the standard listings, Books in Print® on Pubnet 2000 contains price and availability information supplied by publishers. Other critical capabilities include faster order acknowledgment through Pubnet 2000's Rapid Responseä feature - usually within 15 minutes of placement - and a suite of key business documents, including invoices and shipping and return notices, ready for electronic transmission. "By automating a labor-intensive process, Pubnet 2000 frees the bookseller to spend more time with customers," said Andrew M. Gregory, managing director of Pubnet LLC. In addition to direct access via the Internet, Pubnet LLC has been working with many bookstore inventory systems developers to incorporate the advanced Pubnet 2000 features into their applications. Upgrades are expected to become available during the second quarter of 1998. "PUBNET has been a huge benefit because of its ability to get information to and from publishers quickly," said Steve Cox, director of research and development for Nebraska Book Company, a bookstore inventory systems developer specializing in the college market. "The new system now coming online is a quantum leap forward, offering faster service and access to a wider range of vendors and suppliers." Ed Manegold of Cody's Books, Inc. in the Berkeley, CA area, said, "We've been using PUBNET for nearly 10 years, and we've found the service saves us a great deal of time and labor. Pubnet 2000 will make a great thing even better." More Features, Lower Cost Those unable to access the Internet can still place orders and receive acknowledgments through the previously available PUBNET service. However, Web access or access to GEIS' HPN is required for more advanced features such as access to Books in Print on Pubnet 2000, EDI to e-mail, and EDI to fax services. "Our customers will like this feature-rich version because it's easier to use and is more flexible," Gregory said. Pubnet 2000 customers will pay less while taking advantage of the many powerful new benefits of the online system. For current PUBNET customers the upgrade to Pubnet 2000 is free for six months and the service will remain free for customers meeting a prescribed transaction usage each month. Customers can try Books in Print on Pubnet 2000 free for three months. Following the trial period any customer who is concurrently a subscriber to the electronic version of the Books in Print ("BIP") database, can subscribe for $125 per year for Unlimited Access. One time setup costs for new Pubnet 2000 customers will be $75, reduced to $29.95 until the end of 1998. New customers can take advantage of the BIP on Pubnet 2000 three-month promotional offer for a limited time. For additional pricing information, visit the Pubnet 2000 web site. About Pubnet LLC More than 3,000 bookstores, wholesalers, libraries and schools subscribe to PUBNET, making it the world's premier electronic community for the publishing and bookselling industries. Vienna, Va.-based Pubnet LLC has 11 years' experience serving the book trade. It is a limited liability corporation owned equally by the Association of American Publishers, the American Booksellers Association, the National Association of College Stores and R.R. Bowker, a division of Cahners Business Information. R.R. Bowker LLC Marketing Contact |   |