Life Cycle Management and Inventory Control

Digital production enables publishers to print just the “right” amount of books. Production quantities are more accurately matched to demand, that varies with the phases of the title’s life cycle. The life cycle of any title is characterized by four phases and digital production brings benefits to each of these.

I. Introductory Phase

1. Quicker production and earlier adoption
2. Testing of market demand and more accurate forecast of future quantities
3. Enable a feedback loop that captures critiques and enables title changes before full release
4. Production quality blads and proofs

II. Early Production Phase

1. Inventory control and cost control
2. Manufacture in shorter quantities
3. Control returns, reduce cost
4. Control production quantities, reduce cost

III. Peak Demand Phase

1. Just in time manufacturing (POD)
2. Reduced inventory cash requirements
3. Easily manage per unit costs
4. If demand increases switch over to offset for greater unit cost reductions
5. Simplify administration and management of title

IV. Reduced Demand Phase

1. Advanced stage of a title — never go out of print
2. Objective here is to extend life of title by matching production runs to lighter demand
3. Repurpose book (Introduce book with new cover into specialty markets)
4. Extend the life and keep in print