IndieCommerce

Last week, ABA members with IndieCommerce websites received an e-mail communication from ABA COO Len Vlahos that included a new IndieCommerce contract, which must be signed in order for stores to be able to sell Google Editions when they launch.

On Sunday, October 17, ABA IndieCommerce completed its long-planned switch from Drupal 5 to Drupal 6 and successfully launched several major upgrades that significantly improve the customer experience.

ABA IndieCommerce has announced the long-planned switch from Drupal 5 to Drupal 6, as well as the launch of major upgrades, beginning at 1:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday, October 17.

At Tools of Change Frankfurt, Google Editions announced its plans to launch in the U.S. by year's end, with international launches following in 2011, as reported by The Bookseller. ABA announced recently that member stores with IndieCommerce websites will be able to sell Google Editions when the product launches.

As a result of the partnership between IndieCommerce and Google, announced in May at BEA, ABA member stores with IndieCommerce websites will be able to sell Google Editions when the product launches.

ABA has signed a contract with developer Optaros to produce a substantial upgrade to the IndieCommerce platform. The first phase will consist of improvements to the search and checkout processes.

As a growing number of independent booksellers look to make their online presence a key part of their store identity, it is important to ensure that the bookstore website is as productive as possible.

A new template op-ed tackling the irony in Amazon.com's recent decision to sell its Kindle e-reader in Target stores nationwide has been added to the E-Fairness Action Kit on Bookweb.org. Booksellers are encouraged to adapt the op-ed and send it to their local newspapers.

Last week, ABA informed IndieCommerce participants about program improvements to be rolled out over the next several months. The changes will keep IndieCommerce sites successful, stable, and growing.

Google Editions offers a "a new, exciting twist on e-books," ABA COO Len Vlahos told a standing-room-only audience at Tuesday afternoon's session featuring Tom Turvey, director of strategic partnerships for Google. The session was part of ABA's Day of Education, sponsored by Ingram.