Press Releases
Reader’s Digest Selects Van Gennep’s PlanSystem3 for Global Publishing Technology Solution
Pleasantville, NY – July 21, 2004 Van Gennep – M.A.C. has initiated a multiphase, international installation of PlanSystem3, a publishing planning, process and workflow management system, for global publisher Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. (RDA). The project involves a system conversion from its previously installed editorial workflow system to PlanSystem3, beginning with the French Canadian edition of Reader’s Digest magazine at the company’s Montreal, Canada office and the U.S. edition of Reader’s Digest at its global headquarters in Pleasantville, N.Y. The initial installation phase at Reader’s Digest will convert more than 130 MAC and PC users to PlanSystem3. When the installation is complete, all 24 editions of Reader’s Digest magazine will use PlanSystem3, converting more than 250 users in 20 locations. The target date for completion is mid-2005.
PlanSystem3 is a comprehensive planning, process and workflow management system for publishing that integrates marketing, production, advertising, and editorial departments with desktop applications to connect an entire business enterprise. Developed by Amsterdam-based Van Gennep – M.A.C, PlanSystem3 provides clients with process and workflow management, including real-time content/asset management, edition/product planning, status monitoring and element tracking of all files in the production process of magazine publishers, catalogers, and advertising agencies. An established European publishing technology provider, Van Gennep – M.A.C. has more than 120 successful installations of its publishing systems. The Reader’s Digest project represents the company’s continued emergence in the North American market.
“Our decision to convert to PlanSystem3 was based on three unique benefits: flexibility, remote connectivity, and issue planning,” said Raimo Moysa, Managing Editor of Reader’s Digest International Editions. “PlanSystem3 is remarkably flexible, offering connectivity with Microsoft® Word® and QuarkXPress®. It also provides the ability to support a globally dispersed workforce with remote input, viewing and approvals capability. Plus, the system includes an advanced issue planning tool, PlanMaker, which is critical to our operation.”
According to Moysa, PlanSystem3 will greatly improve operating efficiencies for Reader’s Digest. “I expect to see better issue planning; improved cooperation between editorial, advertising sales and production; transparent workflows that allow us to limit the number of meetings and e-mail clutter; and increased accountability and deadline discipline,” he said. “Our international editors will also have much faster access to the U.S. magazine material, and therefore an improved ability to collaborate content. In the near future, I expect PlanSystem3 will enable our teams in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific to find more workflow processes to refine and streamline.”
“We’re pleased that Reader’s Digest, one of the world’s most successful publishers, chose PlanSystem3,” said Ton Van Gennep, owner and president of Van Gennep – M.A.C. “We are honored to bring our solutions to such a prestigious, quality-conscious organization.”
Netherlands-based Van Gennep – M.A.C. has been providing media automation consulting services to publishers since 1988. To date, Van Gennep’s systems are used by more than 120 publications worldwide. PlanSystem3 integrates with Adobe® InDesign®, InCopy®, QuarkXPress® and QuarkCopyDesk SE® and supports any other desktop application, like Microsoft® Word®, PhotoShop®, Illustrator®, etc. on both the Mac and Windows platforms. Van Gennep recently partnered with Quad/Graphics, one of the world’s largest printers, to provide sales, support and marketing of PlanSystem3 to publishers, catalogers and retailers throughout the U.S.
Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. (RDA) is a $2.5 billion diversified global publisher and direct marketer, producing and distributing magazines, books, music, videos and other products. It’s flagship publication, Reader’s Digest, is the world’s most widely read magazine, reaching nearly 100 million readers worldwide each month.
CONTACT:
Amanda Russell-Hayden
(781) 238-0214
Van Gennep – M.A.C. Inc.
25 Burlington Mall Road
Suite 300, #3033
Burlington, MA 01803 U.S.A.
press@vangennep.com