The non-profit professional association of commission book reps (National Association of Independent Publishers Representatives) is revamping its data service to create a “one-stop catalog-order data-management system” launching in late January (presenting fall 2009 lists). Designed to complement publishers’ move to e-catalogs, their Frontlist Plus Universal product promises “file-format translation compatible with a variety of proprietary inventory-control systems and other industry platforms.” The NAIPR asks, “Why should publishers, when developing e-catalogs, for example, have to individually reinvent the order processing piece? We encourage publishers to focus on rich content presentation rather than item-file population and ordering mechanics.” The data is free […]