Thanks to the paradigm shift towards digital transformation, automation is able to touch upon almost every industry quickly. As per a report by McKinsey, about 66 percent of organisations have automated at least one business function, and this percentage is continuously growing.
With automation, companies can quickly achieve high efficiency, speed, and accuracy, while reducing manual hours spent on repetitive tasks. To leverage these benefits, the publishing industry is also actively adopting automation techniques.
This blog talks about the various benefits of automation for the publishing industry.
There was a time when almost every work in the publishing industry was done manually. In response to some of the existing challenges in the publishing industry, such as the growing demand for multi-format content, faster results, and the high costs involved, has made automation a highly sought-after solution.
What is an automated publishing workflow?
A publishing workflow is considered to be automated when some of the tasks or processes are executed without human intervention utilising rule-based logic. Typically, the reviewed manuscript in a text format is structured with tags that differentiate one section from another, such as the title, body, etc. Once the tagged content is fed into the automation system through the user interface, it is then transformed into a markup language like HTML or XML for the system to understand and process it. The input is then converted into EPUB and PDF format, consisting of all the design elements as programmed. After this stage, the PDF/EPUB is sent for final review before publishing.
The benefits of an automated publishing workflow
Expedites publication times
Automation accelerates various publishing processes, allowing research output to reach readers quickly. With automation, publishers have been able to save a significant amount of time.
Brings consistency to typesetting and design
Automation enables consistent implementation of design layouts and typesetting formats, producing outputs that need minimal review each time. This consistency further enhances the pace of the production process.
Eliminates redundant work
Automation removes the need to create a separate online article/ebook publishing cycle. It integrates the ebook or articles with the print production cycle, enabling multi-format publishing and eliminating repetitive work.
Enables in-house employees to focus on core tasks
Since automation looks after everything from categorising, converting to desired formats, design implementation, and printing, the in-house staff can focus on other critical tasks that typically require human cognitive skills.
Optimises content for various devices
There is a growing demand to meet content requirements in multiple formats optimised for a wide range of devices. An automated publishing workflow can help achieve the desired format to suit the individual content requirements of the target audience.
Conclusion
The use of automation has grown exponentially in publishing, but the associated drawbacks such as lack of flexibility and high cost must be taken into consideration before implementing it. With technological advancements, now is the high time for publishers to redefine publishing processes and enhance their digital publications. The merits of automation certainly outweigh demerits, making it a lucrative option for publishers to thrive in this digital era.
If you are confused about automating your publishing workflow, then Readwhere could be the right pick for you. We have expertise in the same and can help you leverage all the benefits of automation.
