Magazine creates iPad edition

Reader’s Digest decided to use vjoon K4 and Adobe’s Digital Publishing Suite (DPS) to build its own tablet content for an iPad edition.

Managing Editor Ann Powell says that while a lot of vendors offer iPad solutions, she was impressed by another magazine’s app that integrated vjoon with Adobe. “I immediately thought it demonstrated a natural progression for magazines,” Powell says. “Cost and creative control were also factors. By using vjoon K4 and Adobe DPS, we could leverage our print workflow and design, which allows a sustainable production of future issues.”

According to a press release from vjoon, the integration of its solution with Adobe DPS allows publishers to concentrate on creative tasks. The solution is said to enhance productivity by substituting automated processes for routine manual chores. It automatically converts individual pages into iPad format and adapts styles and units of measure.

In late 2009, the magazine installed a vjoon K4 Version 6 pilot system and started taking advantage of its task-based workflow model. Vjoon integration partner Managing Editor Inc. (MEI) and vjoon worked together to ensure a smooth rollout, and the pilot quickly turned into a full installation.

Powell lists several vjoon features that are particularly helpful: the ability to see custom metadata in K4’s query panels; the K4 Sticky Notes functionality, which lets users insert real-time comments in layouts; and other tools, such as tracked changes, which were difficult to manage in the old Reader’s Digest system. One of her favorite features is the browser-based K4 Overview Advanced, which allows anyone involved to view the entire issue at a glance.