Background and our Services

ReadCloud is an Australian company founded in April 2009 to create the world's first social eReading software for sharing of annotations directly inside eBooks, turning the digital book into a place for discussion and collaboration

In 2010, ReadCloud was recognised as one of 23 top technologies in Australia by the Tech23 conference and was also included as one of 7 leading innovations nationally by the University of Queensland Enterprize competition

ReadCloud is focused on servicing three industry segments:

Schools

• The ReadCloud Social eReading software allows schools to set up virtual classrooms for secure distribution of eBooks and the interactions between students and teachers by sharing annotations inside eBooks in real time
• The software is available cross platform and is also available as a white-label iPad app
• Several prestigious schools like PLC Sydney, Newington College, SHORE and Wenona have already purchased the platform with many more rolling it out for 2013. See for example http://www.plc.nsw.edu.au/page/newsletters-2012/issue-16-2012/plc-ebook-trial-2013

Bookstores

• ReadCloud provides a white-label e-commerce platform which allows bookstores to sell eBooks online. It was launched in November 2011 and over 100 bookstores in Australia have signed up to the platform
• 30 publishers (100,000+ eBooks)including the world’s largest Random House, Hachette, Penguin, Harper Collins and Macmillan as well as Independent Australian publishers like Allen & Unwin have signed contracts to allow secure distribution of their eBooks

Training Organisations

• ReadCloud offers encryption and secure distribution of course material allowing training organisations to convert from physical to digital material that can also be read off-line and downloaded on multiple devices whilst protecting the organisation’s intellectual property/copyrights
• The ReadCloud social eReader is also available to training organisations as a white-label branded iPad App

Education

ReadCloud has created the world's first social eReading software for sharing of annotations directly inside eBooks, turning the digital book into a place for discussion, collaboration and social learning. We set up virtual classrooms for secure distribution of eBooks to student devices so that the entire curriculum is accessible in 1 app, with 1 log in and 1 system of social learning regardless of the school's choice of publisher.

The ReadCloud eBookstore has over 100,000 eBooks from the world’s largest publishers which will cover the vast majority of the school's curriculum for novels and educational textbooks and ReadCloud can also run booklists for schools who prefer direct parent payment.

Several prestigious schools like PLC Sydney, Newington College, SHORE, St Vincents, Wenona and Sydney Distance Education Centre have already purchased the platform with many more schools across Australia rolling it out for 2013. See for example http://www.plc.nsw.edu.au/page/issue-16-2012/plc-ebook-trial-2013

The software is available cross platform (PC/Mac/iPad/Android) and is also available as a white-label iPad app. This way the students will keep their eBooks forever no matter what device the school chooses in the future.

ReadCloud in action

Digital Content Management for schools

Secure eBook Distribution

30 publishers (100,000+ eBooks)including the world’s largest Random House, Hachette, Penguin, Harper Collins and Macmillan as well as Independent Australian publishers like Allen & Unwin have signed contracts to allow secure distribution of their eBook

The eBook process from publisher to end user is set out below

• Publishers transfer EPUB and PDF unencrypted books and ONIX metadata to ReadCloud's servers via SFTP. ReadCloud immediately encrypts the eBooks using Adobe Content Servers and deletes the unencrypted eBooks
• The encryption is based on the ONIX metadata uploaded by the publisher and can set a wide range of restrictions such as no copy/paste, no printing, chapters for review, expiry date, price by country and territory sales rights
• The customer's payment is collected by ReadCloud and the eBook is not issued until the credit card payment has been approved. ReadCloud then settles with publishers monthly
• The eBook is delivered directly by ReadCloud to the end-user and all pricing and territory restrictions to the website is controlled directly by ReadCloud
• The end user can activate and read the eBook on up to six devices using an AdobeID

ReadCloud provides all of e-book supply chain management

The ReadCloud social eReader

• Course attendees installs the ReadCloud App which automatically downloads copyright protected course material
• Encrypted course material can be studied on- and offline from up to 6 devices (PC/Mac/Android & Apple tablet and phones)
• Annotations can be shared inside the course material with other course attendees

White-label eBookstore

ReadCloud enables you to sell eBooks in three different ways:

1. If you prefer a low cost solution with no integration of your existing website at all, then ReadCloud will run a website which will be called [yourbookstore].readcloud.com and which will have your logo at the top. You will only need to refer to this site via a link from your main website. All payments and eBooks delivery are handled by ReadCloud and the commissions from publishers to you as the bookseller are settled monthly
2. If you prefer to offer eBooks inside your existing physical book website, ReadCloud offers API integration for your web developers to pull eBook information, pricing and fulfilments into your existing online shopping experience
3. If you do currently have a book website, ReadCloud can host a white-label fully integrated physical & eBook website with the physical books integrated with the APA's Titlepage for physical book catalog and delivery

Sample ReadCloud Bookstore in action