Australian Newsagency Blog

I heard of a newsagent yesterday who sorted magazines by distributor before scanning returns because the software they used required this.  They were adamant that they had no choice.  I was shocked. Returns has to be simple - easy for anyone to do with little training.  Smart software will let you scan in any order.

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POS Solutions are telling newsagents (through their blog) that they have 15 days left to access the 50% invetsment allowance.    With many newsagencies turning over less than $2 million, there is no rush - the 50% tax break is available until the end of this year.
To help reduce confusion, click here for details on the […]

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Tower Systems is hosting a free online workshop on the new XchangeIT EDI platform for newsagents on June 16 at 2pm.  Any newsagent is welcome to participate.  Bookings can be made at the Tower website: support / user meetings.  Participants will hear about the new XchangeIT standards and have an opportunity to discusss these and […]

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Poor advice has been provided by some parties to newsagents about the tax break.  The ATO has confirmed that businesses turning over less than $2 million a year have until December 31, 2009 to purcahse eligible items.  For more details on this and for the tax break for businesses turning over more than $2 million […]

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Unity is an overused word in the newsagency channel.  Right now, however, unity is on show for newsagents in a practical and commercial way.
For the first time in years, all magazine distributors, key publishers, software companies and newsagents are all working to a common goal around new XchangeIT EDI standards.  This unity of purpose has […]

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ACP has published a paper on how to use EDI to reduce costs and improve margin for magazines.  The paper lays out the business case for compliance and demonstrates the commitment of ACP to the mutual benefits of EDI.

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Given the interest here in my EDI post from two days ago, click here for a copy of the ten-page EDI compliance document being provided by Tower Systems at the national EDI / XchangeIT compliance training workshops currently being delivered to 1,600 Tower Newsagents nationally.
While parts of the document are Tower Systems specific,there is […]

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Newsagents are being offered free software by a couple of software companies.  In one case, the system being offered for ‘free’ today cost the same a couple of months ago.  They have reconfigured how this is invoiced to improve the tax situation.  They are also charging for the software annually - if you don’t pay, […]

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Tower Systems last week launched an exclusive newsagent computer system offer for Connections with ACP newsagents.  The communication sent out last week by Connections was the culmination of considerable work creating a computer software and hardware package deal which supported the goals of newsagents, Connections and ACP.  The package includes Tower newsagency software, new hardware, […]

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Click here to see the letter sent our by XchangeIT about the POS Solutions DOS software.  This dispels any doubt about the future of POS Solutions DOS software.  The financial penalty for DOS users makes a move to compliant software compelling for newsagents.  This move has been on the table for at least several years […]

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Magazine distributors in Australia are serious this year in enforcing rules around magazine return claims.  Whereas in the past they have permitted paper, fax, website and EDI claims, they have eliminated fax and will eliminate paper claims.  This brings the website and EDI returns claims into sharp focus.  In each case, they require all data […]

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Tower Systems tomorrow starts a national tour, meeting with many of the 1,600 newsagents using its software.  The sessions centre on the new XchangeIT standards and provide free training in how to leverage this to maximum advantage and ensure you pay the least possible for XchangeIT.  Any newsagent is welcome to attend.  It’s free.  Click […]

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The Financial Times reports on changes in the UK around the distribution of newspapers and magazines.
We ought to expect structural changes globally in the distribution of newspapers and magazines as publishers look for ways to improve efficiency and increase or at least protect sales.
While not on the scale of the UK changes, the changes about […]

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Tower Systems, my software company (yes, this is a shameless plug), has put together a package offer for newsagents who are yet to install a computer system.  This offer ties in with the new magazine distributor IT standards.  By installing this package, newsagents will be able to replace manual processes with online magazine returns processing.  […]

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Tower Systems is hosting four newsagent specific free online training workshops this week:

Magazine putaways management 21/04/2009 11am
Newspaper home deliveries and customer management 21/04/2009 2pm
Magazine management workshop 23/04/2009 11am  (The most popular online workshop this year by far!)
Retail stock management 23/04/2009 2pm

To book a free place, please go to the Tower Systems website, and click on online training.  You will […]

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Tower Systems has announced a national newsagent IT compliance training and advice tour. Each 2 hours session will cover the new XchangeIT (EDI) standards and other new standards.  Access is free for this newsagent only session. Come and learn how to get XchangeIT access for the lowest price - by being compliant.
BOOK NOW. HERE […]

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The new annual access pricing announced by XchangeIT, the company owned by the three magazine distributors and through which newsagents receive electronic invoice data and provide sales data, at the QNF conference yesterday of $695 for users of the POS Solutions DOS software, $895 for non compliant newsagents and $495 for compliant newsagents is a […]

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In another first, Tower Systems launched Software Ideas on Friday, a facility at its website which gives its newsagent users a greater say in the direction of the software and delivers greater transparency over the product development process.
The Software Ideas initiative is as a direct result of several Tower team members reading Jeff Jarvis’ book […]

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ACP Magazines has launched a Sales Based Replenishment program for twenty-one of its titles with newsagents.  Through my software company and one of my own newsagencies, I have been closely involved in the two SBR trials with ACP for five years.  This latest SBR incarnation demonstrates the value of trialling the SBR approach to magazine […]

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My software company, Tower Systems, formally launched its online Training Academy for newsagents today.  This is an exciting move for us and for newsagents - guaranteeing a on-goinging training opportunities which will help produce better outcomes for newsagents, their customers and their suppliers.
Free online Training Academy for newsagents and newsagent staff
MELBOURNE – March 10, 2009 […]

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The next version of the a major newsagent sales based replenishment program is a few weeks away.  Through Tower Systems I have been involved since SBR was first tested with newsagents years ago.  Each incarnation has been an improvement on the last.  I have seen that good sales data from compliant newsagencies has been used […]

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Tower Systems is running free online training on magazine management and newspaper home delivery management which non Tower newsagents may find useful.  While some processes are Tower specific, general training is provided which could save time.  If you would like to participate please email bookings@towersystems.com.au.  You’ll need broadband and access to a phone for a […]

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Click here to read why the folks at Chiltern Newsagency switched from POS Solutions Browser software to Tower Systems newsagency software.

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In addition to the benefits you are likely to feel at the cash register from the passing today of the Federal Government stimulus package, the 30% investment allowance in the package means that if you spend money on capital improvement in your business in the next four and half months you can access a […]

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