The rollout of Newgen KnowledgeWorks’ end-to-end workflow management system, PubKit, is now complete. “Projects across different segments are benefiting from its improved efficiency,” says Jo Bottrill, managing director of operations in the U.K. and U.S. “We continue to drive further automation in handovers between teams, metadata processing, and the addition of dynamic autoscheduling. New file management functions, autoingestion of projects, and freelancer management are some of the recent enhancements.”
Clients are now able to run files in various formats right from the browser using RedShift. “This publishing platform has new autostyling functions, in-browser editing, and the option to output templated covers and marketing assets—all from one single source of content and metadata,” Bottrill says, adding that an upcoming release will incorporate additional support for accessibility standards, including alt-text processing.
The disruption to the print supply chain has seen heightened interest in Nova, the company’s e-book distribution platform. “Nova allows publishers of all sizes to monetize their digital content across books and journals,” Bottrill says. “Its flexible interface supports content delivered in book, issue, chapter, and article formats, enabling publishers and subscribers to customize collections and collect valuable consumer data. Nova’s ability to allow users to flexibly consume content across all formats, as well as its support for note-taking, easy citations, and offline reading, make it a one-stop shop for many publishers.”
All Newgen KnowledgeWorks’ platforms allow users to access the tools and content from anywhere, Bottrill says. “Increased automation supports not only the new WFH reality but also enables publishers to respond to print supply chain disruption,” he adds. “Now, more than ever before, publishers need to respond quickly to a rapidly changing situation. PubKit’s dynamic autoscheduling feature, for instance, helps to keep the content workflow on track and cuts out unnecessary slack in schedules. Our automated composition tools also put the publisher in control of the corrections process by removing the need for lengthy rounds of correction.”
Deeper integration of tools and platforms to further shorten production times while improving consistency and efficiency is the company’s goal for the next 12 months. “The deployment of automation will continue to play an important role, and tools such as our newly updated online proofing system, Impact, will drive that even further,” Bottrill says.
With technology has come a shift in workflow and mindset. “Our goal to produce content from a single source often requires editorial and production staff—as well as publishers and their authors—to work in different ways,” Bottrill says. “So we are focused not only on technology, but also on supporting publishers in redesigning their workflows.”
