Pearson installs IBS software

IBS Australia has signed an agreement with Pearson, a leading international media company, for the installation of Bookmaster, IBS’ publishing and book distribution solution, in four European countries.

The planned installation includes software, services and hardware with a total value of 4.5 million Euros ($7.2 million).

Pearson, one of the world’s leading media organisations, first installed IBS Bookmaster, a software solution designed specifically for publishers and book distributors, in Australia in 1991.

Today, the software is used in Pearson’s publishing and book distribution operations in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, India and South Africa, with Korea and Taiwan scheduled to go live in 2008 and Japan in 2009.

Based on Pearson’s positive experiences from their relationship with IBS in Asia, Australasia and Africa, Pearson has decided to expand the installation of the software to include four additional locations in Europe including Benelux, Spain and Poland.

In total, 260 concurrent users will use IBS Bookmaster, which covers everything from editorial and bookproduction, to distribution, warehouse management, e-commerce, business intelligence and royalties.

“Pearson is currently using several different systems in Europe,” says Mike Irving, VP Publishing, IBS.

“By establishing common business processes across these countries Pearson will increase efficiency and visibility in their operations and will be able to provide even better customer service.”

“IBS Bookmaster is an excellent fit for Pearson and we believe that our extensive understanding of publishing and book distribution will help them get the most out of this new implementation,” he says.

“We are very excited about extending our relationship with Pearson, one of the world’s leading publishers, because it will help us continue to develop Bookmaster to meet and exceed the current and future requirements of the global publishing industry,” Irving adds.

Pearson is an international media company with a world leading business in education, business information and consumer publishing.

The company has some of the most valuable and recognisable brands in the media world, such as the Financial Times, Penguin and Prentice Hall.

Pearson is listed on the London and New York stock exchanges, has 29,000 employees in 60 countries and had a turnover of £4,423 m in 2006.

Read more about Pearson at www.pearson.com