One thing not often discussed on GalleyCat, even though it may well prove to be the most important industry development in 2007, is the upcoming ISBN switch from 10 numbers (the standard since the 1960s) to 13 on January 1. But Fast Company‘s Alyssa Danigelis throws up her hands at this news since “nearly every other consumer product for ordering and inventory bears a 14-digit Global Trade Item Number” and has been doing so since the 1960s.
That’s why Barnes & Noble is following suit, with plans to convert its ordering system to 14 digits by next summer. “Anytime you have to do anything out of the ordinary it’s an extra cost,” says Tom Clarkson, director of supply-chain technology for B&N. His industry group is encouraging anyone converting a computer system for the new ISBN to just throw in an extra digit. Fewer mistakes. And lower packaging costs, since that 14th digit would indicate a specific carton size. Will other publishers follow suit? One would hope, but hey, this is publishing – not exactly the bastion of logical decisions that put it in step with everyone else….