ISBN Numbers: IT System Switch

In the late 1960s, the 10-digit ISBN system was designed and used for printed books. Because of electronic publishing and other changes in the publishing industry, the current 10-digit system is running out of capacity.

A new world wide standard for a 13-digit ISBN, which has capacity for just under one billion numbers, has been approved by the International Standards Organization (ISO) and is due to be published early next year. The deadline for systems to switch over to the new 13-digit ISBN is January 1, 2007.

The International ISBN Agency has advised firms involved in all aspects of the publishing supply chain to review all of their IT systems well ahead of the 2007 deadline.

Publishers, distributors, retailers, and libraries will need to update their ordering systems, inventory control systems, point-of-sale systems, and library databases. This is a significant project that is estimated to take 830 days of work to change over the necessary systems.

Amazon.com.uk is currently working with publishers, wholesalers, and trade groups to make sure the entire supply chain is prepared for the transition. The switch has the potential for new job opportunities.

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