As part of efficiencies and streamlining processes during the pandemic, the print-on-demand business reviewed its services including its BookVault platform. The online content management system allows authors, self-publishers and publishers to upload their titles for printing on-demand with automatic distribution direct to consumers from PODWW’s 2,230sqm facility in Peterborough.

The business runs two Ricoh toner printers and a Screen inkjet Truepress 520HD for the majority of its work.

The existing BookVault system provides numerous avenues to market including PODWW’s own bookshop The Great British Bookshop as well as Amazon, Gardeners, Blackwells and the publishers’ own websites, whilst API integration gives access to e-commerce stores such as Shopify and Woo Commerce. 

The upgraded BookVault portal, which is currently available on the PODWW website in an open Beta version before its official launch, has become even more automated by implementing a self sign-up system instead of users having to enquire about the facility before being able to sign up.

Business development manager Curtis Roberts-Argrave told Printweek: “It means that anyone can just go straight on and get started without having to have any contact with us here.

“A huge driver has been about making it more user friendly, to cater to the wider market, which it perhaps wasn’t previously. We’ve really stripped it back and built it from the ground up to make sure it is really straightforward for all of our customers.”

He added: “We like automation here so we want to do everything we can to automate the system so that people can just focus on selling their books.”

The BookVault relaunch is part of a wider review of processes at the business, a doubling down on sustainability practices and a drive towards zero carbon emissions.

Last year the company partnered with Ecologi to offset its carbon emissions by planting trees for every book order received, and now it is pledging to match contributions from customers using the BookVault platform and doubling its tree planting promise.

Managing director Andy Cork said that “being green and sustainable is very important – it impacts our entire business. Our pledge to match our customers’ contributions means that we will plant more trees, moving us ever closer to a greener, low-carbon printing future”.