At Tower Systems’ head office this morning we participated in a briefing with News Ltd management about IT changes they are driving as part of their Data Collection Project. We are supportive of the project because, if executed properly, it should result in better business outcomes for newsagents. I’ll respect agreed confidentiality and not publish the detail of the discussions.
While it commercially suits me for newsagents to rely more on technology, the reality is that any advancement which eliminates manual processes has to be good for newsagents. For the first time it will provide newsagents and News Ltd a common database and thereby improve service of home delivery customers.
Mark,
Would this common database give News Ltd access to a newsagencies customers or is it to early to get into the fine detail.
Leon, it would. However, I note that this would only be done if approved by the ANF and by arrangement with newsagents. We will not unlock the data without these hurdles being jumped as it is not out place to do so.
Mark,
Are you refering to homer delivery customers subscribed through News Ltd, or are you refering to all home delivery customers that a newsagent handles?
It would be all home delivery customers.
Although i am all for the intergation of systems between newsagents and suppliers i would have some concerns as to what data both parties have access to and for what purposes they are able to use that data.
I am also concerned that it has to ‘approved’ by the ANF. Depending on the membership outcome of NA, this may need to be ‘approved’ by both representative bodies.
Jarryd, the software companies also play a role, proibably more so than the ANF since we have a longer term relationship on IT matters with newsagents than the ANF. Unfortunately, publisher contracts being what they are, newsagents are in a weak position. Mark