Electronic-books(ebooks) and current trends

Abstract

As a greater number of electronic resources becomes available, retrieving relevant and authoritative information has become progressively more challenging and time consuming. Locating relevant information in a timely manner is critical for both the researcher and the information professional. Electronic books (eBooks) are one way to enhance the digital library with global 24-hours-a-day and 7-days-a-week access to authoritative information, and they enable users to quickly retrieve and access specific research material easily, quickly, and effectively. It is crucial to not only provide these electronic resources, but to integrate them into library systems to streamline library operations, as well as promote user adoption. As an eBook provider, netLibrary, a division of OCLC, Online Computer Library Center, has been involved in the selection, cataloguing, and distribution of eBooks. Library users are able to remotely search, locate, and checkout eBooks from the library’s online public access catalogs (OPACs). As with any new opportunity, new challenges emerge and utilising the internet to deliver book content is no exception. Integrating eBooks into the digital library has created challenges and opportunities for librarians, publishers, and eBooks.

E-BOOK OPPORTUNITIES

The internet has caused an evolution in the book publishing industry with the emergence of the eBook. The advantages of eBooks for libraries are straightforward and include Easy access to content on-demand availability Prevention from being lost, stolen, or damaged Capability to search within a book and across a collection of books Ability to be linked to other resources, including dictionaries and thesauri Absence of physical space requirements Device independence for accessing the content Access to content using standard web browsers Customizable search interfaces Easy transportation, and Access from anywhere. eBooks create new opportunities for publishers and have revived the scholarly monograph. They also provide an opportunity for publishers to maintain a competitive position in the marketplace. The emergence of the eBook has given publishers new ways to serve customers by re-purposing content and creating living books, which incorporate text, audio, video, and other resources, such as dictionaries, thesauri, etc.

E-BOOK DEFINITION 

An eBook is based both on emulating the basic characteristics of traditional books in an electronic format, as well as leveraging internet technology to make an eBook easy and efficient to use. An eBook can take the form of a single monograph or/a multi-volume set of books in a digital format that allows for viewing on various types of monitors, devices, and personal computers. It should allow searching for specific information across a collection of books and within a book. An eBook should utilize the benefits of the internet by providing the ability to embed multimedia data, to link to other electronic resources, and to cross reference information across multiple resources. An eBook collection should be accessible anytime, anywhere via the internet, requiring no device but a personal computer to access the content. An ideal eBook should provide content of value, the ability to view online, the ability to download to a PC or view offline, and the ability to view on a handheld device or personal digital assistant. Users should be guaranteed privacy for the content they access and use and should be able to aggregate and customize items and content regardless of format. Copy and print capabilities for portions of the eBook should be permitted within copyright and fair use guidelines. Copyright protection must be ensured regardless of whether the content is accessed via the internet or via a downloadable reader that allows access to the book offline. The netLibrary model is based on the belief that an eBook = Content. Therefore, a netLibrary eBook is neither a device; nor can be defined as one dedicated source of content. An eBook is the content itself. It is the intellectual property of the author who develops it and is owned by the copyright holders. Based on this premise, the content, even in an electronic world, should be available to share between and among users, as content produced on paper has been and is currently used, while maintaining compliance with fair use and copyright regulations. netLibrary has taken the approach to leverage the internet and the electronic environment for what they do best—provide more efficient and effective means of aggregating, organising and making content accessible, while retaining the integrity and essence of the traditional book industry and the use of content that is easily accessible and not restricted by devices or technical environments.

E-BOOK TRENDS 

EBooks have become more popular with publishers, librarians, and vendors within the past two years. This is evident by the number of eBook initiatives. There are eBook readers, which can be divided into the following categories: eBook hardware, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and eBook software. There are also electronic ink and paper, print on demand, and online eBook providers. The major eBook hardware providers are Rocketbook, now known as REB 110, and Softbook, now known as REB 1200, which have become increasingly popular in public libraries. The most commonly used PDAs that allow for downloading eBook content are being introduced in the market by Palm Digital Media, Casio, Compaq, and Hewlett Packard. The major eBook software companies include Palm Digital Media, Adobe, Microsoft, and netLibrary. There are numerous online eBook providers. These include publishers, such as Gale, Bowker, O’Reilly (Safari), and UMI; libraries, such as the University of Virginia; and content providers, such as ED (Baker & Taylor), Books 24x7, netLibrary, Questia, and ebrary. National Academy Press reports that providing its titles free of charge on the Press’ web site has increased print book sales. The Press views this free electronic offering as a successful marketing strategy.

Key components of retail industry

Thus, with the advent of the internet, and now mobile and social media, the retail landscape has undergone a seismic shift. Channels including the web, mobile and social media have increased their presence in the retail value chain. In the next decade, these new channels are likely to emerge as critical touch points for retailers, and providing an outstanding experience at these touch points can be the difference between winners and laggards.

Enabling technology transformations Retailers understand that the key to the future of consumer engagement is to meet shoppers where they are. Sophisticated mobile devices, big data and cloud computing currently work in tandem to provide ready access to information, products and services from virtually anywhere at any time. The further integration of the cloud and mobility with social networking creates a powerful, new platform that allows retailers to engage throughout the purchasing cycle. To take advantage of such trends, retailers need to invest in technology resources that can help them stay a step ahead of the competition. 

The Digital consumer and Disruptive technologies in business

Digital consumerism is also impacting the way companies use technology. Increasingly, the core business platform is no longer the only source of information and insights. Additional solutions based on disruptive technologies are being integrated on to the core platform. This has led to a significant increase in the level of insights firms have about their customers. We are already witnessing micro-segmentation of customer, and products and services being tailored at an individual’s level. The coming decade will only see a rapid increase in this transformation.

IT vendors will need to change the way they are structured to deal with these trends. They need to be nimble, and think on their feet. Rather than being bureaucratic organizations, IT vendors will need to create internal startups that will work on adopting these trends. They will also need to look at an inorganic strategy to add to their capabilities in some of these areas. This will also have the added advantage of brining in talent that will act as a force of disruption in these organizations.

Going forward, IT vendors should seek to work closely with their customers to stay abreast of the latest technological developments, and come up with solutions that can take advantage of the convergence of these technologies. They should seek to use customer input more diligently while innovating / developing solutions and products. The emphasis should be on tapping inputs from various channels, mediums and devices and using these as critical inputs for new solutions and incremental innovations. Industry bodies can also play a vital role in this, and increase awareness about these technological trends. 

Six converging-technology trends in business

We have identified six trends viz. big data, cloud, social media, mobility, embedded systems and augmented reality which will have a logical maturity that inevitably brings them together.

Big data

Every year, companies and individuals generate billions of gigabytes of data. Data, which properly analyzed and used in time, can emerge as an unbeatable competitive advantage. Enterprises need to recognize the prospect big data represents and should adapt their IT strategy to capture such opportunities’. Big data can help retailers predict buying decisions of shoppers; it can help banks weed out fraudulent transactions; while governments can use big data to provide services directly to their citizens.

Cloud computing 

The undeniable power of cloud computing to foster innovations and improve productivity is now accepted by both IT vendors and their customers. While the financial services and government sectors are mostly moving to a private cloud model due to information security concerns, other industries like healthcare and retail have adopted public cloud. Moreover, their existing infrastructure has helped telecom players to emerge as providers of cloud computing, leading to erosion in boundaries between IT and telecom vendors.

Social media 

A social media strategy has become a must for all enterprises, be it banks, retailers or the government. With over one billion individuals logged on to various social networks, people are now using social media for advice on what products to buy, where to shop and even regarding what firms they want to work with. While most enterprises use social media for their customer service function only, many firms have now started using social media in tandem with their sales and marketing functions. This in turn enables firms to use data generated by the customers effectively to service their larger pools of customers.

Mobility 

Mobile devices have changed the way people access digital content. Smartphones and tablets have brought rich, digital content to the fingertips of consumers. Mobile banking has emerged as one of the most innovative products in the financial services industry. Shoppers are increasingly using their mobile devices for everything from browsing to comparing to buying products. Governments are also reaching out to their citizens, using mobile devices as an efficient channel. Enterprises must also jump on to the mobility bandwagon, and ensure that their applications are mobile ready.

Embedded systems 

The decreasing cost of embedded systems has made their presence ubiquitous across the business landscape. Embedded systems like RFID chips have revolutionized supply chains for retailers. Embedded systems are also having an impact in the healthcare industry, where hospitals attach smart chips to patients to keep track of their entire medical regime. 

Augmented reality 

Over the past 24-36 months, augmented reality has moved from the world of science fiction, to our everyday lives. The spread of smartphones and tablets gave rise to the spread of location-based augmented reality applications, and now everyone from retailers to healthcare providers have embraced augmented reality. Augmented reality enhances the customer experience, and enables enterprises to add a fourth dimension to their products.