Vendor Panel: Importing and Managing ONIX Files

Vendor Panel: Importing and Managing ONIX Files

ONIX, short for ONline Information eXchange, is a standardized format used across the publishing industry to exchange detailed metadata about books and other media products. This XML-based format is widely used by publishers, booksellers, and distributors to transmit comprehensive product information, such as titles, author names, pricing, and publication details, to various platforms that support ONIX.

By utilizing ONIX files, publishers and booksellers can efficiently distribute metadata across multiple platforms without manually inputting data. This ensures that the information remains accurate and consistent across all channels. For platforms that are ONIX-compatible, the metadata can be imported directly, eliminating the need to manually enter book information or upload separate files. This process not only saves time but also minimizes the risk of errors during data transfer.
PUBNiTO supports both version 2 and 3 of ONIX.

Accessing the Import Books Page

  1. In the Publishing Panel, click on Books.
  2. A submenu will appear. Click on Import Books. This will take you to the Import Books page.
  3. On the Import Books page, you will see the ONIX Files Information Table, which is a list displaying ONIX files data.

The Options in the ONIX File Information Table  

  1. Show Items: You can choose to display 10, 25, 50, or 100 item entries at a time. This allows you to manage large sets of item data more effectively.
  2. Search: Use the search feature to find specific item quickly.
  3. ID: A unique identifier assigned to each book entry.
  4. Book Title: The title of the book as listed in the ONIX file.
  5. ISBN: The International Standard Book Number, a unique identifier for the book.
  6. Status: It shows the status of the Onyx file as either completed or pending.
  7. Import Time (Date and Time): The exact date and time when the ONIX file was imported into the system.

Importing an ONIX file

  1. On the Import Books page, click on Create New ONIX File to get started.
  2. Upload your ONIX file.
  3. Ready to release: By enabling this option, the books from the ONIX file are automatically transferred to the store owner's publishing panel for release after being imported by the vendor/bookseller. The vendor no longer needs to approve or send the books to the store owner for publication.
Note: After completing all the steps related to adding a book by the vendor/bookseller, clicking the Publishing Status button places the book in the Pending list. Final publication requires approval from the bookstore owner. By enabling the Ready to Release option, the Publishing Status button is automatically activated for books imported via an ONIX file, requiring only the bookstore owner's approval. This feature is particularly important when an ONIX file contains multiple books, as it eliminates the need for the vendor to manually activate the Publishing Status for each book individually.
  1. Click on the Save button to complete the import process.
  2. After importing the ONIX file, its data will be visible in the ONIX File Information Table.

Editing an ONIX File

  1. To edit the ONIX file information or settings, such as enabling the sample book, go to the Books page.
  2. In the Publishing Panel, click on Books.
  3. A submenu will appear. Click on Books. This will take you to the Books page. Following this step, you will be taken to a page that displays information about the books.
  4. This table displays information for all books, whether they were entered manually or imported via an ONIX file.
Note: The table does not indicate whether a book was added manually or imported through an ONIX file.
  1. In the settings column of the table, you will see two options: Edit and View.
  2. By clicking on the Edit option, you will be redirected to a page where you can review and edit the ONIX file information.
Note: If the ONIX file includes all the necessary information, such as author names, topics, pricing, and more, vendors don't need to manually enter any details during the various steps of creating a book in the Publishing Panel—except for activating the sample book feature.
If the uploaded ONIX file contains multiple books, you would need to manually activate the sample book feature for each individual title. To save time, you can enable the default_onix_demo option in the Admin Console. This setting ensures that the sample book feature is automatically activated by default for all books imported by vendors in the Publishing Panel.

If a new ONIX file is uploaded with the same ISBN during book editing in PUBNiTO, it will be recognized as a revision of the existing book. However, if the ISBN is changed, the system will treat it as an entirely new book.

Accessing and Enabling the Default ONIX Sample Book Option

  1. Enter the Admin Console.
Note: Only bookstore owners have access to the Admin Console.
  1. Locate and click on the Publishing tab.
  2. Click on ONIX Data Exchange on the Publishing page.
  3. Enable the default_onix_demo checkbox by clicking on it.

FAQ(s)

1. What is ONIX?
ONIX, short for ONline Information eXchange, is a standardized XML-based format used across the publishing industry to exchange detailed metadata about books and other media products. It allows publishers, booksellers, and distributors to transmit comprehensive product information, such as titles, author names, pricing, and publication details, to various platforms that support ONIX.

2. Why should I use ONIX files?
ONIX files streamline the distribution of metadata across multiple platforms, ensuring that information is accurate and consistent without the need for manual data entry. This reduces the risk of errors during data transfer and saves time.

3. Does PUBNiTO support ONIX?
Yes, PUBNiTO supports both version 2 and version 3 of ONIX.

4. How do I access the Import Books page in PUBNiTO?
To access the Import Books page:
  1. Go to the Publishing Panel.
  2. Click on Books.
  3. In the submenu that appears, click on Import Books. This will take you to the Import Books page where you can manage ONIX files.
5. What is the ONIX Files Information Table?
The ONIX Files Information Table is a list on the Import Books page that displays data from ONIX files, such as book titles, ISBNs, statuses, and import times.

6. How do I import an ONIX file in PUBNiTO?
To import an ONIX file:
  1. Go to the Import Books page.
  2. Click on Create New ONIX File.
  3. Upload your ONIX file.
  4. Optionally, enable the Ready to Release option to automatically transfer books to the store owner’s publishing panel for release.
  5. Click the Save button to complete the import process.
7. What is the "Ready to Release" option when importing an ONIX file?
The "Ready to Release" option, available during the step of importing an ONIX file, allows books from the ONIX file to be automatically transferred to the store owner’s publishing panel for release after import. This bypasses the need for the vendor to approve or send the books manually, streamlining the publishing process.

8. Can I edit an imported ONIX file?
Yes, you can edit the information or settings of an imported ONIX file by:
  1. Going to the Books page in the Publishing Panel.
  2. Clicking on Books.
  3. Selecting the Edit option in the settings column for the book you want to modify.

9. Do I need to manually activate the sample book feature for each book in an ONIX file?
If the ONIX file contains multiple books, you would need to manually activate the sample book feature for each title. However, to save time, you can enable the default_onix_demo option in the Admin Console to automatically activate the sample book feature for all books imported by vendors.

10. How do I enable the default ONIX sample book option?
To enable the default ONIX sample book option:
  1. Enter the Admin Console (accessible only to bookstore owners).
  2. Locate and click on the Publishing tab.
  3. Click on ONIX Data Exchange.
  4. Enable the default_onix_demo checkbox by clicking on it.

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