PCS, the independent technology arm of family-owned regional publisher The Claverley Group, is changing the face of publishing through the use of an innovative new in-house developed publishing platform called 'Knowledge'.  Unlike other publishing systems, Knowledge does not focus not on the mechanics of publishing but rather the ability to provide the most relevant and timely news service to its audiences using the reader’s preferred medium. The group completed the deployment of the system across all of its group titles in December 2009, including the Midlands-based Express & Star series and Jersey Evening Post. 

Knowledge's key attribute is its ability to manage the creation and production of content for both traditional newsprint and new publishing media simultaneously with the same application.  All of its functionality is run from within a web-browser and therefore edition planners can access and manage whole publications – including editorial and advertising – from any device or location connected to the internet:  News editors can assess and direct text, pictures, video and audio to their required destinations. Page editors can design pages and assign stories. Sub- editors can hone and fit text and pictures. News-gatherers can write text or upload pictures, audio and video – all in one system.

The system has been developed in response to the changing media environment. There has been a drive for several years towards a greater use of digital technologies forced by the economics of publishing and changes in working practices.   Every publisher must make efficiencies and reduce processing time with the aim of managing operating costs and being the first to market.  Increasingly news today can come direct from the public and is disseminated using different channels via iPods, mobiles, PDAs, Kindles, free and paid for print.  All these factors have determined the features and capabilities of Knowledge.

What enabled Knowledge to be so innovative was the choice of technology at the heart of the system that enables every element of a story to be grouped together as one single package in a database.  This is very different to traditional publishing systems where content is stored in separate applications as different files and individually added to fixed publication layouts.  In contrast, Knowledge consolidates into one service what are typically disparate, largely aged and 'print-focused' applications that are loosely called an 'editorial system'– such as pagination, wire service management, picture desk and digital archive management. 

Commenting on Knowledge, PCS managing director Phil Walker said: "Every industry at some point will be faced with an innovation that challenges the status quo.  Something that changes the way businesses perform and is truly disruptive to what's gone before, something that excites the business leaders. I firmly believe that Knowledge is such an innovation."

Walker continued: "Publishers will receive content in more varied ways. From their own sources, third party wire services, email from citizen journalists, and more.  The task to capture, sort, edit and process that content in a relevant, timely and efficient manner will become harder. What's key for the use of Knowledge is that it's realising savings in time and efficiency but most importantly not compromising editorial integrity – in fact it enhances it.  Knowledge can add a significant advantage to any publishing team's ability to lead the news agenda for its readers."

PCS is using database and business intelligence software from the technology company InterSystems as the foundation for Knowledge.  PCS chose InterSystems Caché® for its web-based application after an extensive review of databases.