TORONTO—Webcom Inc., a Canadian book manufacturer, has announced the launch of Webcom BookOnDemand, a print-on-demand service.

The company collaborated with HP on the worldwide launch of HPOneBooksolution.

“In a time when the value of printed books in classrooms is questioned and overall book sales are declining, print providers and book manufacturers need to add greater efficiency and value to publishers through production flexibility, increased automation and customized on-demand book production,” Eric Wiesner, vice president and general manager, PageWide Web Press division, HP, said. “HP customers, such as Webcom, are leveraging HP OneBook and the PrintOS platform to offer end-to-end publishing solutions to efficiently deliver customized books, journals, magazines, and catalogs to publishers and end users on demand in the exact quantities needed.”

BookonDemand will integrate HP PageWide web presses and HP Indigo digital presses, to deliver fast turnarounds due to the no-touch production workflow. The new technology allows publishers to send their files from multiple channels. Files are automatically routed through the OneBook systems for high-quality inkjet printing in flexible formats of either 4 or 1 colour books. Finished books are delivered directly to end customer locations.

“Publishers need to keep their fingers on the pulse of their inventory, reduce costs and streamline their supply chain models. With our BookOnDemand systems we are able to offer a world-class print-on-demand platform that will address publishers’ needs for strategic cost-saving initiatives, including order management cost reduction, a wider range of on demand book products and ability to scale in peak publishing seasons using high speed inkjet production,” Mike Collinge, Webcom’s president and CEO, said.

The new service extends Webcom’s suite of services including BookFWD, customized workflow integration and inventory management programs based on the total cost of ownership model.

The BookOnDemand service will be available to publishers in Q3 2016.