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QUESTION 5 What do you think publishers forget to consider?


This question prompted a variety of interesting responses. Some spoke of the need to understand that, in many cases, there isn’t a robust network infrastructure in place in schools and that publishers often lose sight of this. Many spoke of the need for actual hands-on engagement from the business and development end to understand what pupils and teachers were really doing in the classroom and what kind of role their products could play in facilitating a better learning environment.


Most interestingly, publishers are concerned that developments often happen behind a desk, when actually they have access to a sales team and students, which could help them to position their products correctly. Looking outside of the office, and outside of the competition, is key too. No longer are publishers’ biggest threats their direct competitors; the publishers we spoke to are aware that Google, YouTube and a number of tech start-ups are the competition of the future.


In every market and in every company there is feedback that stands out above the rest. Sometimes it’s a vocal department in the office, sometimes it’s one school that make the effort to direct their feedback to the publisher. Regardless of where the feedback comes from, publishers are aware that sometimes they forget to sense-check decisions against all users.


The big issue to remember is infrastructure and connectivity. For schools to really take advantage of ebooks they need a fully functioning network, multi-user licences from suppliers that are hassle-free (or content that can be easily accessed online), a robust internet connection and up-to-date operating systems. The latter is a big issue.


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Schools need a robust internet connection and up-to- date operating systems. (I was in a school recently that were using a router they had bought at Currys!)


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