We have an agreement with Canadian Campus Retail Associates for the co-development and deployment of a common digital content platform that is designed with student-friendly terms and reflects the academic nature of our marketplace. The platform was successfully tested in the Canadian market during the fall term 2009 and pilots in the United States will get underway in January 2010. Starting with an initial offering of widely adopted content in the public domain, our Digital Study Versions can be distributed to students for low or no cost. We intend to begin offering commercial content by fall term 2010.

By its nature, the sale of digital content requires a store to have the ability to conduct online transactions and our DCP has this capability. However, NMS believes the e-commerce experience must go beyond the transaction and provide students with the information-rich shopping features they are accustomed to. We are actively engaged in partnering discussions with industry-relevant companies to bring stores of all sizes the state-of-the-art “e-tailing” solutions that can help transform their online presence and pave the way for building a stronger relationship with their student and faculty customers.

We have embarked on a journey to change the industry’s definition of print-on-demand. For most stores print-on-demand titles must be purchased in multiple quantities, printed, and then shipped to the store for sale and distribution. While this “print and distribute” model is valuable we believe it can be improved for the benefit of college stores and students. NMS envisions a “distribute [the digital file] and print” model that will enable stores to have enhanced in-store (or at least geographically convenient) printing capabilities that can minimize inventory risks and offer students the option for printed content delivered quickly. We are finalizing our plans for this service offering and anticipate being able to offer at least one new POD option in March 2010.

Although NMS is not in the business of developing e-reader technology, we are good at evaluating it and helping select the right companies that offer reader devices which make sense for students. With our digital content platform we are committed to being able to support content downloads using ePub, Adobe, and other emerging format standards. Our approach is intended to create multiple opportunities for stores to sell e-readers while remaining device agnostic in the delivery of content. We have identified several companies worth showcasing and are actively engaged in business discussions to enable college stores to serve as the integral point of sale for their respective device sales.

Inevitably, as the demand for digital content grows among students and faculty more stores will need assistance or support to acquire, convert, and distribute unique campus-centric content. NMS will be on the leading edge as a service provider to help stores accommodate faculty choices with tailored digital content. We are also designing and planning a set of web-based services for faculty to evaluate content, research alternative course materials, and customize content adoptions. Finally, we are developing specifications for the creation of marketing toolkits that stores will be able to use in promoting and selling digital content.

As part of our vision, NMS is developing a content strategy to create a one-stop aggregated environment to position college stores as the primary conduit for the sale of digital and interactive course materials. Periodically check our “Partners” page to get the latest updates on our progress!