Starting with XML:The Benefits of Automating Composition with Standard StylesheetsRebecca Goldthwaite, Cengage LearningJanuary 13, 2009

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Cengage Learning: Total Revenue $1.8B

Gale InternationalAcademic & Professional Group

Cengage Learning delivers highly customized learning solutions for colleges, universities, professors, students, libraries, government agencies, corporations and professionals around the world. These solutions are delivered through specialized content, applications and services that foster academic excellence and professional development and provide measurable results to its customers.

Cengage Learning Overview

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Cengage Learning Overview cont.

3,200 core Higher Education & Career/Professional titles per year across the three business units

1,700 titles are outsourced

Disparate disciplines such as Math, Chemistry, Nutrition, Cosmetology, Fire Science, Counseling, World Languages, Nursing, History, etc.

Currently automate composition for 25% of core print products

Rebecca Goldthwaite, Executive Director of Strategic Partner Management –Production

Sourcing for print & digital production as well as conversion servicesManage vendor sourcing and contract negotiations for this automated composition program

Jouve & Publishing Dimensions – stylesheet development and supporting architecture/systemsPreferred production partners in India – composition & content conversion

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Production Automation Library [PAL]

Cengage Learning’s approach to automation through mass customization

The Production Automation Library (PAL) is a repository of standard designs (styles/templates) to use in the automated composition of titles for print production

Pre-configured CL text designs, complete with PDF samples, ready-to-use with InDesign templates, accompanying fonts and design elements3B2 stylesheets that produce consistent output at any composition vendorTitles using PAL designs are produced using consistent, high-quality XML with a proprietary CL schema

Status19 stylesheets completed149 titles produced or in progress

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PAL Workflow Comparison

traditional composition

non-PAL 3B2

PAL w/3B2

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Starting with XML – The Benefits

Reduced design costs

Reduced composition costs

Faster turnaround from sample pages to completed title

Standard designs that can be reviewed in PDF form for usability and content appropriateness, and still allow a substantial variation in look and feel

Pedagogical structure that can be used as an authoring template or guideline for new manuscript development and or additions elements

High-quality, consistently structured XML content that is readily reusable

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Starting with XML – The Cost Savings

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Starting with XML – The Cost Savings

Stylesheets

Simple = $550

Moderate = $1000

Complex = $1500

PAL = $5,000 - $10,000

Composition

$.50 - $4.25

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Starting with XML – Lessons Learned

Partnerships are importantPublishing Dimensions/JouveCollaborative production partnersInternal partners

It’s an iterative processApproach to automationTechnology & tools change over time

There will always be challenges with technology & toolsPublisher-specific workflows & architectureComposition platform decisions & necessary workarounds

Consistency & discipline are criticalNecessary to achieve cost savingsDesigners, authors, developers, compositors, conversion vendors

Know your automate-abilityStandardization with flexibility [mass customization]Author & publisher concerns regarding unique page make-upPage make-up compromises

Culture change is keyMaking the shift within an organization is necessary for buy-inPrograms are slow to start & even slower to be adopted

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