It has been a very busy year.  Read an update I wrote for my company on our first 10 months.

CPS – Providing Automation Operations through the use of Applied AI

Custom Publishing Solutions hosted a fantastic gathering of industry experts speaking on the hot topic of Technology in Publishing.

Guest speakers from Iptor Supply Chain Systems, Typefi, Custom Publishing Solutions, Frost Collective  / The Nest and Google all shared with Publishing professionals from around Sydney, the current and future developments in technology and the way it is revolutionising how Publishing businesses operate.

Custom Publishing Solutions (CPS), launching this month, will provide new solutions to help the Australian Publishing Industry overcome the technological and operational challenges it is currently facing, by using the tools of the next industrial revolution.

In an age of ever-changing technological advancements, the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is no longer the subject of sci-fi movies. Globally, business is taking advantage of AI and Automation to such an extent that experts are calling it the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The publishing sector is no exception and with the launch of CPS, the industry will be able to experience the full force of AI Automation technology and its operational application.

It is a timely arrival for the publishing industry, which is under increasing pressure to reduce costs in the face of the current copyright review, increased international competition and the increasing diversity of formats and business models.

Media and technology expert Spiros Kotsialos, Founder of CPS, is a respected publishing operations and technology guru with more than 20 years experience in systems management and digital innovation for publishers such as Random House, HarperCollins, News Limited and Allen and Unwin.

The 2015 McKinsey Quarterly report (Four Fundamentals of Workplace Automation) suggests that Automation and AI will ‘redefine jobs and business processes’, providing vast opportunities for professional growth of the current workforce. According to the January 2016 World Economic Forum (WEF) (Employment, Skills and Workforce Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution) report, automation technology and AI are key contributors to the fourth industrial revolution.

Based on this and other research, Kotsialos believes that “CPS will assist publishing businesses that may be struggling to free up resource to take advantage of technological advancements” Kotsialos said “As a mature industry, publishing has endured many changes and is challenged by significant movement in its customer base and an increased cost of doing business. AI can really help, if you know what you are doing. By directly taking on a publisher’s existing challenges and costs, CPS will help businesses move forward with new confidence and security, whilst reducing the cost of book production and distribution.”

About Custom Publishing Solutions:
Custom Publishing Solutions is an AI led technology company providing solutions to the technological and operational challenges of book publishers.

For more information on what Custom Publishing Solutions is doing to move into the fourth industrial revolution contact;

Spiros Kotsialos
www.custompublishingsolutions.com

Super excited about our new promo “CUZIN” tees! Get them now on CUZIN for a ridiculously cheap price of ONLY $5!!!

It’s great to tell you about a project I’m passionate about. My background is in publishing and technology, so to build an app that combines these two areas in such a practical way is a great opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

I am talking about ILF Books, a project where Chatty Kidz and The Indigenous Literary Foundation have teamed up to launch a simple, yet powerful app for reading with children.

The first book featured on the app is a compelling story, Bangs 2 Jurrukuk, written by senior girls from Tiwi Island and is a captivating tale which shares traditional Tiwi culture and values of love, courage and ‘One People’.

You can download it from Apple via this link https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/ilf-books/id844832111?mt=8  or search for “ILF BOOKS” in the Apple store.

Those who download the app will see that it has a number of strong educational advantages for children.  These include helping to develop early reading skills plus exposure to print and reading behaviors, as well as building children’s confidence to read aloud and developing important oral language skills.

The app also offers a very real way for communities and families to connect. For instance younger siblings will be able to bond with their older brother or sister through shared story time or perhaps a grandparent living far away will read to their grandchild.

Karen Williams from the Indigenous Literary Foundation says the initiative brings them one step closer to their goal.

“We believe that Australia’s Indigenous children and families living in remote communities across Australia should have access to the same opportunities as other citizens.

Yet the big barrier is not only distance but literacy levels.  Providing access to quality books at the same time as sharing stories and creating a pleasurable reading experience is essential. This app is a fun way to not only connect isolated communities through reading, but also to enjoy the experience of combining books with technology. This should appeal to young children in particular.”

The App is free, available nationally from the Apple App Store and I hope you will see it as a fun, enjoyable way for children and adults of all ages to engage in and share the joy of reading, no matter where they are located.

How it works

Two people using the App to connect through video, a story is then shared and comes to life as pages are turned in real-time by both readers.  Words, colours and pictures are all sensitive to touch and highlighted when activated.  This widens the scope and educational opportunities for readers to interact and learn.

A bit about Chatty Kidz

Started in 2013 by Ken Taggart, it was born out of the need to create a meaningful connection with his family spread throughout the world, The result is an app that effectively turns iPad time into family time by giving a platform for families and communities to stay connected through content, education and video. In February 2014, Chatty Kidz was selected to be part of the Telstra incubator Muru-D. http://www.chattykidz.com

A bit about Indigenous Literary Foundation

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) was founded by Suzy Wilson and set up by members of the Australian Book Industry in 2005 with the core aim of drawing upon the skills and expertise of the Australian book industry to address literacy levels in remote Indigenous communities.  From 2006-2010 the project worked in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation who delivered the programs and administered funds.

The ILF aims to raise literacy levels and improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous children living in remote and isolated regions. This is done by through the delivery of books and literacy resources, publishing and visits out to remote communities.  In addition, the Foundation advocates to raise community awareness of Indigenous literacy issues. http://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au

hashtags are a great way to keep in touch with what’s going on.   The challenge sometimes is what hashtags to use.

The team over at social caffeine have put together this infographic that helps answer that question

“The value of social media comes down to people, relationships, and the meaningful actions between them”

I came across this interesting article that talks about the Pillars of Social Commerce.  I think essential reading for those looking to understand that social media is more than a marketing billboard.

http://www.briansolis.com/2012/04/the-6-pillars-of-social-commerce-understanding-the-psychology-of-engagement/

The challenge of marketing direct to the consumer is a conversation that often comes up a lot in media, especially in book publishing. The reality is that although it gets a lot of voice there are very few examples of it actually happening.

I have just finished reading a short book from Larry Dignan the editor in chief at ZDNet and thought the following extract was a very interesting insight.

“Direct Marketing isn’t glamorous. Chasing leads is difficult. And you need reach and a lot of information systems – that can talk to each other – to make it work. Direct marketing is really on big math question. Let’s face it: Media people suck at math. Direct marketing is also a big information technology problem. Guess what? Media people generally stink at technology too.” The Business of Media

I think that this is becoming more and more obvious with the need for people to be effective in marketing to have comprehensive understanding of SEO, SGO and CRM (search engine optimisation, Social Graph Optimisation, Customer relationship Management)