1. Making It Work
Integrating new technology with
existing OF systems
Wayne State University Press
Alicia Vonderharr, Journals Production Editor

2. WSUP Journals Program
 Publishes 6 scholarly journals, totaling 21 issues per
year
 Until 2011, online content available only through online
aggregators
 Diverse journals program
 Partnered with WSU Libraries to collaborate on
publishing journals through bepress’s Digital Commons

3. The big question is . . .
What do we do when our systems can’t “talk” to each
other?

4. Case Study: Human Biology
 No press journals database
 OF and financial tracking
done in-house via:
 Robotronics (print OF and
some finances)
 Digital Commons’s
subscription tool (online
OF)
 University’s Banner system
(some finances)
 Excel spreadsheets (some
finances)

5. HB: How we made it work
 Trained on Robotronics in order to work with OF
manager on workflow
 Involved everyone working on journals in some
capacity, including press director
 Not a perfect system: doubled-up work, spread
between two departments
 Process $ before allowing access to online
subscription
 Taking the leap: “We just need to go live and see
what happens.”

6. Plans for the Future
 Additional journals position--marketing and order
fulfillment combo
 New press-wide database; will include journals
 Possible new OF system to replace Robo, one
capable of time-based and shipment-based
subscriptions
 We will always have to double-up our work in some
way because of bepress’s subscription tool.

7. Tips & Tricks
 Cross-train: Learn all systems involved enough to
understand their capabilities and weaknesses.
 Communicate with other departments within press
and with outside vendor, if applicable.
 Don’t be afraid to divvy up work.
 Sit down with affected parties and work out the
workflow, one step at a time.
 Know that, more than likely, nothing is going to be a
perfect fit.
 Be patient and ask lots of questions, even the
annoying/embarrassing ones.

8. Questions?
Alicia Vonderharr
aliciav@wayne.edu