SAGE is the latest publisher to pick VitalSource for e-textbooks

[ADenton]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VitalSource Takes Advanced eBook Platform across the Pond

Agreement with SAGE underscores broad base adoption of Vitalbook format by global publishing industry

Raleigh, NC – November 12, 2007— Vital Source Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of eBook solutions, today announced an agreement with SAGE, a leading international publisher, to provide services for the publisher’s digital strategy in the UK.

SAGE is focused on serving the global academic community with high quality journals, reference books and textbooks. Working with VitalSource further supports SAGE’s goal.

The agreement with VitalSource will enable SAGE to launch its premium content on VitalSource’s cutting-edge Vitalbook (*.vbk) format. SAGE will also benefit from access to VitalSource’s P2 application, a one-of-a-kind digital content management tool that allows publishers to organize, productize and market their properties safely and efficiently.

“SAGE is committed to making the best and most current scholarship accessible to a broad academic audience,” said Tony Histed, Associate Director, Sales, SAGE. “VitalSource’s technology will allow us to infuse content with interactivity, search and collaboration features in order to meet the needs of Digital Age scholars, students, teachers and practitioners.”

The Vitalbook format was developed to support content rich in graphics and text without burdening the user’s computer. The format’s proprietary technology also delivers advanced content tagging. As a result, works published in the Vitalbook format may be searched for specific references found in an image’s caption, a graph’s title, a paragraph, a chapter as well as the user’s entire library of VitalSource-powered eBooks.

SAGE eBooks featuring the Vitalbook technology will be stored, organized and viewed by users on a free, PC and MAC-compatible application called Bookshelf.
The software, designed to unleash the power of the Vitalbook format with leading-edge interactive and collaboration features, has been successfully deployed in K-12, secondary and post-secondary educational settings.

A flexible business model that allows publishers full control over their digital strategies, combined with an eBook platform built to enhance the learning experience have contributed to make VitalSource the go-to partner for academic publishers.

“VitalSource technology has been proven to improve teacher effectiveness, enhance student engagement and drive better outcomes for those seeking professional certifications,” said Frank Daniels III, CEO of VitalSource. “We are excited to be working with SAGE to bring more premium eBooks to market.”

About VitalSource Technologies, Inc.

Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, VitalSource is a leading provider of technology solutions for eBook publishing and distribution. The company enables publishers, distributors and other partners to create and deliver textbooks and other content directly to users' computers in its proprietary Vitalbook (*.vbk) file format under a variety of scenarios, ranging from custom curriculum solutions to private-label bundled products, as well as single textbook and promotional content delivery to students and faculty in both secondary and post-secondary educational settings. In 2007, VitalSource commemorated the billionth book distributed in the Vitalbook format. VitalSource is an Ingram Digital Group company. For more information visit www.vitalsource.com

About Ingram Digital Group

Ingram Digital Group is an operating division of Ingram Industries Inc. and provides publishers and other content owners with a comprehensive offering of digital content accession, storage, management and distribution services. Ingram Digital Group along with its group companies MyiLibrary and VitalSource Technologies provides a full-service array of digital solutions and support. The Ingram companies - including Ingram Digital, Ingram Book Group and Lightning Source Inc. - provide a broad range of physical and digital services to the industry. For more information, visit www.ingramdigital.com

About SAGE

SAGE is a leading international publisher of journals, books, and electronic media for academic, educational, and professional markets. Since 1965, SAGE has helped inform and educate a global community of scholars, practitioners, researchers, and students spanning a wide range of subject areas including business, humanities, social sciences, and science, technology and medicine. An independent company, SAGE has principal offices in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, and Singapore. www.sagepub.co.uk

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