Distribution Rights in VitalSource Manage for Institutions - Video and Transcript
In this video, you'll learn how institutions can manage distribution rights in VitalSource Manage. We'll cover everything from understanding VBIDs and SKUs to obtaining rights from publishers and ensuring smooth student access. The complete transcript is available below.
Transcript: VitalSource Manage: Understanding Distribution Rights
Introduction
Welcome to this VitalSource Manage training video! Today, we'll be focusing on how institutions can navigate the world of distribution rights. We'll explore what they are, how to obtain them, and how they relate to durations, pricing, and contracts. If you are a publisher looking to learn more about assigning distribution rights, please visit our publisher resources at success.vitalsource.com.
What are Distribution Rights?
Let's start with the basics. In VitalSource Manage, we work with asset records, each identified by a unique VBID (VitalSource Book Identifier). However, what we actually sell are products. A product is a specific combination of:
- A VBID
A price
A duration (length of access)
Sold to a customer.
Distribution rights allow an institution to deliver content, or products, to its faculty and students, or to allow channel partners and resellers to sell a publisher's content on its behalf.
Each product has its own identifier called a SKU (Stock Keeping Unit). Understanding these elements is crucial for managing distribution rights effectively.
Accessing VitalSource Manage
Before we dive deeper, you'll want to make sure you can access the system. VitalSource Manage is located at manage.vitalsource.com. Log in with your Manage account. If you don't have one, email help@vitalsource.com to get set up.
Understanding SKUs and Durations
Let's break down SKUs and durations:
- Rental SKUs end with "R" followed by the number of access days. For example, 1234567R180 is a 180-day rental.
- Common rental durations are R365, R180, and R90.
- Perpetual (lifetime) access SKUs don't have an "R" at the end
Remember, the duration affects both access time and pricing. It's crucial to select the correct SKU when setting up a course to ensure proper invoicing and student access.
Obtaining Distribution Rights
There are two main ways to obtain distribution rights:
Publisher Direct (Fulfillment Relationship):
Use this when you have a contract or special pricing with a publisher.
Email the publisher with:
- Book ISBN, VBID, or SKU
- Title and edition
- Desired duration
- Course name and number
- Your school's name and VitalSource Manage ID
- Deadline for obtaining rights
Buy/Sell (Wholesale) via Booklist Manager:
Use this when there's no direct relationship with the publisher.
VitalSource grants rights and invoices you for the digital list price (DLP).
To learn more about Booklist Manager, check out our "Using Booklist Manager in VitalSource" video at success.vitalsource.com.
Best Practices for Student Access
To ensure the best experience for students:
- Communicate download deadlines clearly.
- Encourage students to download books before online access expires.
- Direct students to the "How do I access the offline or downloadable version of my book" resource at support.vitalsource.com.
By following these practices, you'll help prevent student frustration and ensure they have access to their materials when they need them.
Conclusion
That wraps up our overview of distribution rights in VitalSource Manage. Remember, choosing the correct VBID, SKU, and duration is necessary for proper invoicing and student access. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team. Thanks for watching!