E-Book Platforms and Aggregators: an evaluation of available options for publishers

 

As the number of e-books platforms has proliferated, and as the models which allow access to them grow in variety and complexity, publishers and librarians have become increasingly interested in what exactly is on offer, and what constitute the relative benefits and constraints of the available platforms.

This report explores in depth the attributes and features of the main aggregator platforms, providing a comprehensive and detailed evaluation. The commercial and pedagogical advantages and drawbacks of e-books are also described from the different perspectives of publishers, librarians and academics.

Five distinct aggregator groups of e-book providers are examined in detail: 'general' aggregators; 'specialist' aggregators; online journals aggregators who also host hosting e-book collections; digital warehouses; and library suppliers. The options available to publishers considering the development of their own e-book platforms 'from scratch' are considered. Three case studies explore the experiences of publishers who have already developed e-book strategies.

Key features include:

• The most comprehensive evaluation of e-book platforms and aggregators to appear to date.
• The technologies on which the platforms are based and their precise attributes and functional features.
• Precise purchase/licensing models that each operates.
• Sets out how DRM and encryption is managed, and how securely.
• How many titles the aggregator holds.
• How many customers the aggregator deals with, and in which geographical regions.
• Pricing models, and how publishers are paid.
• Financial stability.
• The types of marketing support offered to publishers.

Publisher: Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers

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