thomsonlocal.com, which publishes 173 editions of its local business directory, will go live with PCS’s subscription, circulation and distribution solution, NCS in July.
NCS will replace thomsonlocal.com existing in-house distribution system, improving management and infrastructure as well as enhancing the process of distributing around 22 million business directories a year, enhancing relationships with distributors and automating the distributor contract and payroll cycle.
thomsonlocal.com will port its existing Access-based system to NCS’s resilient Sybase database and will use Map Mechanics and Post Office Address Files (PAF) to drive distribution round construction.
According to PCS, the contract further enhances the functionality of NCS, a comprehensive circulation and distribution management tool, designed to save publishers time and money and built with strong input from industry professionals.
The system already features powerful round targeting and pro-active sales lead tools – integrates with PAF, Telephone Preference and Back Checking Services and handles many facets of circulation and subscription, including Paid For Retail and Wholesale; Frees and Leaflets; Home Delivery; Subscription Management; Canvassing; Digital Integration and Sales ledger functions.
NCS also integrates fully with PCS’s digital content management and publishing system, Knowledge to manage digital subscribers and paywall management.
David Meikle, thomsonlocal.com’s Operations Manager – Distribution said: “We believe NCS is the resilient solution we need, based on industry standard platforms, to manage and support the delivery of our business directories to over 22 million homes and businesses.
“PCS is a partner who had the understanding to develop the workflows to achieve the efficiencies we require in managing our directories operation.”
Said PCS Sales Director Mark Read: “NCS provides thomsonlocal.com with a comprehensive tool for running its entire UK directory distribution process. For instance, the system allows them to create all of their delivery round details, allocate distributors, confirm pay rates, print contracts including round maps all from one place, saving thomsonlocal.com huge time and effort.”
About Press Computer Systems
PCS says: “Press Computer Systems Ltd is part of the Claverley group of companies, a British media and publishing group, which includes the Wolverhampton Express & Star, the Shropshire Star, Precision Colour Printing, and the Guiton Group (Jersey Evening Post, Guernsey Press, Itex Group, CIN Group).
While enjoying the backing of a major publishing group, PCS operates as a totally independent company, fully respecting the confidential nature of its relationship with each customer.
The company was formed in 1973 and today PCS is a leading systems supplier to the UK publishing industry with a comprehensive suite of proven integrated systems specifically designed to maximise the potential efficiency and profitability of information publishing.
By maintaining a position at the cutting edge of technology PCS is committed to developing systems that help customers to push their business forward both in terms of revenue and technology.”
