This is an online connection to a content management system to obtain PDF proofs formatted as the page will finally print. The operator can request proofs by a simple menu option from the content management system. There is no limit to the number of proofs that can be requested from the data, so editors can repeatedly have access to typeset proofs - the ultimate format for detecting any data errors. In addition, if the book has an extracted index, each section sent for proofing will have a mini index created to check the index flagging.

When the data is ready for press, the Book Assembly phase creates press ready PDFs of the entire book. Chapters are numbered correctly, any indexes are extracted, and prelims are created. If necessary, press corrections can be made before the pages are passed for press.

Pricing
Traditional typesetting charges are based on a per page price. QPM has a new and different pricing model.

• For a regular subscription, the customer gets unlimited proofing of well structured data from the Content Management System menu. The subscription charge is based on the volume of data in the database.
• Book Assembly: A complete book is assembled, and any automatic indexes created; we do any press corrections then make a set of PDFs that are ready for press. There are two payment otions, but both are constructed to encourage more pages from the same data, ie to encourage spin off publications. Customers can either sign up to pay a fixed amount for any book regardless of extent, or opt to pay more for bigger books in the traditional way.

Advantages

• The page composition process can become a cost effective database proofing tool to be used through the whole publishing cycle.
• Pages look exactly as they will print, so an exact page extent is known earlier.
• Authors corrections are reduced dramatically.
• Indexes can be checked throughout the editorial cycle.
• The shorter production time from database sign off to print means the information is more up to date.
• Spin off publications are easy to create, and easily costed. The book assembly charge is known, and a target extent can be achieved.