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 been driven by the distributor’s desire to cut costs out of their back end.
The new technology and processes software companies and magazine distributors will implement will cut costs for newsagents. This is why many newsagents are getting behind the project.
Down the track, once the new XchangeIT EDI platform is fully rolled out, I will see significant innovation. Software companies and magazine distributors will have the ability to better demonstrate valuable points of difference. Newsagents will benefit from the renewed competition which will flow from this. Core standards will drive unity but also intensify competition.
As the new XchangeIT standards further evolve, I am certain that we will see more opportunities for a common approach by newsagents and stakeholders – more unity of purpose. Thinking about this today made me reflect on the importance of commercial unity compared to the political unity which continues to elude the channel.
While some will say that newsagents should have owned the EDI standards and platform, it is too late for that. The opportunity of newsagent ownership of the data channel into the newsagent network was botched by newsagent leaders earlier this decade. What we have today is better than what was planned back then.
As more newsagents embrace XchangeIT and the new disciplines I am excited by the opportunities ahead. This is a platform which we can leverage for the benefit of newsagents. It is also a platform through which leadership can shine. My only frustration is that it has taken so long to come to fruition.
I have a vested interest because I own Tower Systems. I have respected that by reducing margin – because of easier sales to newsagents who want the benefits of compliant software – as reflected in our Connections with ACP joint promotion.