AWSOM – redesign on track to launch next month
Simpler AWSOM search window
This past week your office will have received, by fax, the first of our info sheets regarding the redesign of AWSOM. For those that missed that announcement please DOWNLOAD HERE as a PDF file.
Why is AWSOM changing?
AWSOM is changing because we are moving away from out-sourcing this service – currently Colormax, a U.S. firm provides the backbone of the digital archive service, i.e., the indexing of your PDF’s, the search engine, delivery of e-subscriptions and web interface.
We are moving the AWSOM service in-house for a number of reasons:
- First and foremost, it allows us to maintain better control over the cost of this vital association service, meaning the AWNA (and indirectly you, the member) saves money in the long-term;
- It allows us to tailor this service to fit the needs of our most important client – again you, the AWNA member;
- We are able to make the service easier to use, more functional and extend more control to newspapers in terms of who has access to your pages.
The goals and objectives of the AWSOM digital archive service remain the same, to:
- Provide member newspapers with a digital archive, which members can use both as a historical archive and as a tool to use daily in the editorial and advertising departments;
- Allow the AWNA to deliver electronic tear sheets to its clients, as well as give members the ability to do this locally as well;
- Give members the ability to provide digital access to their newspapers, a service that can provide revenue in the form of ‘e-subscriptions’;
- Provide access to researchers who are willing to pay newspapers for access to their digital copies on a time-limited basis.
One of the significant changes we are making to AWSOM is giving newspapers the ability to manage their ‘e-subscriptions’ themselves online. We will set up a subscription database for you that you can manage online, then you will be able to keep 100% of the subscription fees you collect. There is a slightly higher monthly administration fee for this option. Please contact Maurizia Hinse, maurizia@awna.com or Allana Bridgewater allana@awna.com for details on how to set up your e-Subs service.