R.R. Bowker Launches BookIndustyLocator.com

Posted on September 6, 2002

R.R. Bowker, a publisher of bibliographic information, has launched BookIndustryLocator.com, a Web-based service that provides access to information about the 200,000 organizations within the U.S. publishing industry that have Standard Address Number (SAN) assignments. Visitors can search the database in order to access contact information for any organization with a SAN assignment, or to find the SAN for any company with which they are seeking to do business. Access to BookIndustryLocator.com is available in various packages for single users starting at $75 for one-day access, or for multiple users starting at $750 for one-month access.

"BookIndustryLocator.com is a powerful tool for any publishing-related organization because it streamlines location information for the thousands of companies doing e-commerce in the industry," said Michael Cairns, president of New Providence, N.J.-based R.R. Bowker. "The searchable database of publishers, wholesalers, retailers and book buyers allows users to save time and money by no longer making multiple phone calls trying to hunt down where to ship something or what SAN is needed on an order form. It's easy to use and is updated daily."

The service can also be used to confirm shipping address information, build prospect databases by downloading information about prospective customers directly into a contact management application, track down specific vendors, and conduct market research by identifying which retail outlets serve specific markets.

A SAN is the universal account number assigned to publishers, wholesalers, distributors, bookstores, libraries and any other business associated with the manufacturing and distribution of books in the U.S. The seven-digit SAN has become the standard code for electronic communication within the publishing industry and is the key identifier that allows an organization to conduct ecommerce. R.R. Bowker is the official administrative agent for the SAN Agency, which oversees the SAN assignments for a one-time fee of $125.