Profile of Magazines on Demand Website
Digital Newsagent Offers a Range of Publications for Download
May 10, 2009
Edited 1 June 2009: Since writing this article, Magazines on Demand has ceased trading.
UK website, Magazines On Demand, is the website of the digital division of John Menzies Ltd. The website delivers a range of magazines in a digital format via Magazines on Demand 'Delivery' software. The digital magazines can be read on computers or printed out as required. Customers from outside of the UK can purchase magazines from Magazines On Demand. This offers a quicker and cheaper alternative to receiving printed copies through the post.
Digital Magazines Available
There are a range of different magazines available covering all the main genres. These include weekly and monthly publications. The categories extend over women's, men's, general interest, automotive, sport and leisure. The search facility, however, makes it easy to find a magazine if it is not clear which category to look under. The magazines are available at the same time as print versions. Customers can also browse and purchase back issues.
Delivery
The delivery of digital magazines from Magazines On Demand is via the company's Delivery software. This is formed of two parts. The Delivery Manager handles the digital delivery of the magazine and Digital Reader is where the magazines are accessed. Customers must use the Delivery application to download and access their magazines.
Delivery Software Features
The Delivery software has a range of features to enhance the reading experience. These include hyperlinks that allow a reader to click on a link and to be taken straight to the relevant page on the Internet. Other useful features includes a scrapbook. This operates over the entire library of a customer's digital magazines, allowing readers to book mark and annotate interesting articles. This is a useful feature, allowing customers to list and note all items of interest over a range of magazines, such as recipes or interviews.
Purchasing from Magazines On Demand
Customers have a range of different purchase options. A single magazine can be purchased with there being no further commitment, magazine subscriptions can be purchased or customers can take advantage of the 'Pick and Mix' service. This allows customers to buy a number of credits a month and these can be redeemed for any mix of magazines. The Pick and Mix service can represent a significant saving over the cover price. Magazines that are purchased on subscription are automatically available for delivery via the Delivery software.
Reading Digital Magazines
Magazines can be read on or off line. There is no expiry date so a magazine can be accessed as many times as a reader likes. Magazines must be read via the Delivery application and cannot be read in other readers.
Second Copy
When a customer buys a magazine from Magazines On Demand, they in effect get two copies. One is delivered automatically, the other is held as a backup. Customers have a choice of options when it comes to the back up copy. It can be accessed if the original is not available for any reason – for instance if a computer becomes damaged. The back up copy can also be downloaded to a USB stick, allowing a magazine to be read from any computer. The Delivery software does not need to be installed as the magazine is read from the USB. The back up can also be used to email the magazine to a friend. The back up copy can only be used once, so if it is used to email the magazine to a friend it cannot also be used to create a USB copy.
The Magazines On Demand service opens up a whole new range of opportunities for people looking to access magazines in new generations formats.
Further Reading
 |
