VLB-TIX from Past to Present
2022
May: Completing the development of the functions for booksellers until we include them again after the relocation of all user groups to the new system.
October: Finally, all booksellers have moved succesfully to the new system, including the major chain stores.
December: Moving sales cooperations to the new system.
2021
April: closed beta version for selected publishers including sales reps
December: parallel mode starts with publishers and sales reps staying on the current system and the relocation of booksellers to the new system
2020
January: All Thalia bookshops in Germany and Austria connect to the system
February: In-house project is launched
March/April: Wide-ranging digital training programme during lockdown for booksellers, along with support for smaller publishers (#EinePriseLeipzig)
July: 20,000 users are registered for VLB-TIX, ongoing use of system during the coronavirus pandemic
August: Newly added information and help pages facilitate information access
October: Launch of the web-to-print function for digital Frankfurter Buchmesse 2020
October: Click dummy created for the redesigned title-details page as part of the in-house project
2019
March: The Thalia group begins using VLB-TIX! As of the autumn buying season, the chain store’s headquarters relies exclusively on VLB-TIX for purchases of new titles. In addition to Thalia Germany, booksellers Thalia Austria and Orell Füssli Thalia in Switzerland also expand use of the system
April: Launch of regular VLB-TIX get-togethers in Freiburg and Leipzig
August: Redesign of the order form on VLB-TIX: e-mails are sent to sales reps directly from the system, eliminating the need to store the information elsewhere first
Autumn: Random House discontinues printed previews
October: Launch of showcased topics for publishers (beta) and book tables for booksellers
2018
February: Launch of the LEX tool for sharing review copies digitally
March: Termination of printed previews and start of the VLB-TIX roll out at all Hugendubel bookshops
June: Bookseller associations and marketing alliances (Nordbuch, LG Buch, etc.) can add bookshops as members, which then see a notice next to book titles
December: Promotional packages are made available
2017
September: Automated delivery of preview data becomes possible using XML/Excel
Strong user growth, regular VLB-TIX get-togethers in Germany’s major cities
2016
June: 11 merchandise management providers connect to VLB-TIX
Autumn: Hugendubel switches its entire procurement process for new titles to VLB-TIX
December: VLB-TIX and VLB become a one-stop organisation, MVB acquires a 100% share
2015
Collaboration with pilot customers Thalia, Mayersche, Pustet, Hugendubel, Hanser, DTV, GU, Ravensburger, Carlsen and many more
December: Launch of VLB-TIX
2014
September: Development of the click dummy in 25 days, very successful presentation at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2014