Statistics Reveal How we View Digital Content

In August of 2007 ABI Research released a new study showing that while a large proportion of digital content is consumed by a small but influential group of digital media super-users, the mainstream user is increasingly looking for new ways to access and manage content.

Consumers are fast becoming more comfortable with new digital media experiences as well as the Internet. The report outlines nicknames for the market from “Digital Laggards,” to “Mainstream Users” along with “Digital Enthusiasts” and “Digital Super-Users.” It shows how all will evolve over time and the impact they will have on digital media consumption.

One of the outcomes of this new research trend is the on demand production engine technology, and how companies are seeing its value. Acutrack is already meeting the needs of a variety of clients ranging from recording artists to hypnotherapists, to film and photo content creators.

On demand also creates physical CD/DVD downloadable content, offering a new revenue stream or an opportunity to customize content or artwork. Acutrack’s self service site (http://ondemand.acutrack.com/) enables customers to create and manage everything online as well as place new or reorder in seconds. With no minimums or up-front costs, customers get the best retail quality for short run discs.

As one example, Acutrack’s record label customer, ASR Records Chairman and Co-founder Alaadeen said, “My goal for starting ‘ASR Records was to provide a label to host my CDs and bring them in front of the public. But I soon ran into problems. In order to get a good rate to manufacture the CDs, I had to manufacture large quantities. This led to excessive inventory, and there was the distribution issue. Then came Acutrack with an appealing feature for artists and one determining factor in their signing with the label.”

On Demand Production allows manufacturing of CDs and DVDs on an as needed basis, eliminating the up-front costs of producing multiple titles normally associated with CD/DVD production. Acutrack’s On Demand engine manufactures CD/DVD products upon purchase with zero inventory, which enables customers to focus their efforts on marketing products, rather than producing and storing them.

The ABI study, “Consumer Media: The Changing Ways in Which Consumers Buy, Consume and Manage Digital Content,” explores how consumer use of traditional media is being increasingly balanced with usage of media through new consumption and distribution methods.

Independent Artists Turn to Short Run DVDs

Today, independent artists like musicians and filmmakers have started using new technologies including On Demand Short Run CD/DVD Production, which enables them to order smaller batches of CDs and DVDs, one at a time, in real time online, 24/7, and then ship to customers. This way the artist retains ownership of their music, all rights to the masters. On Demand makes it easy for muscians to sell their products without manufacturing and warehousing thousands of DVDs. This way they can focus on getting their music out to the public.

One way musicians are using the new technology is that they are sending finished products, CDs or DVDs, directly to radio stations, nicely packaged with a label on the CD and in a packaged jacket cover. The artists provide their graphics and the master to Acutrack, and CD or DVD orders can be filled from their website.

On Demand Short Run also provides a number of different packaging choices, with retail finish quality, and quick turnarounds. There are no minimum orders and the process of ordering, production, packaging and shipping is automated.

“My goal for starting my company was to provide a label to host my CDs and bring them in front of the public. But I soon ran into problems. In order to get a good rate to manufacture the CDs, I had to manufacture large quantities. This led to excessive inventory, and there was the distribution issue. Then up jumped Acutrack with CD On Demand. This was an appealing feature for artists," said Jazz Musician Alaadeen, chairman and co-founder, 'ASR Records.

With traditional CD/DVD replication services, significant quantity orders are required at one time and customers need a method to distribute them to the end user. There are many situations when this does not work. On Demand helps customers avoid the hassle of inventories, and delivers personalized content when and where customers want it.

Acutrack Celebrates 15 Year Anniversary - DVD Replication Services

Acutrack celebrates fifteen years of growth in the business of CD and DVD publishing, including CD duplication service, DVD replication services, CD manufacturing, CD packaging and the latest On Demand Short Run CD/DVD Production, enabling customers to order smaller batches of CDs and DVDs in real time online 24/7 and ship to customers, one at a time. As part of this celebration, the company is offering customers special discounts between now and December 31, 2007. Ideal for customer’s who are selling downloadable content and are not sure how many units to produce, On Demand takes care of inventory, packaging and fulfillment. Also in the blog, the link of “Self Service Site” should go to http://www.acutrack.com/onlineshortrun/

With the recent news from the DVD Copy Control Association (DVD CCA), who recently authorized companies to sell digital downloads for on demand viewing, it’s no wonder that experts are looking at this industry with projections for a ramp up in future success. Digital photography, music-on-demand and medical imaging are each large market opportunities. As noted in an article on Forbes.com entitled, “Five Stocks Expected to Soar” by Robert Maltbie, a principal of California-based Millennium Asset Management, one of the companies he talks about is Rimage (Nasdaq: RIMG), stating, "we believe the mid-sized volume customized CD/DVD duplication industry remains in the very early days of penetrating these target markets, including overseas expansion."

Rimage is one of Acutrack's strategic partners, as the company uses their equipment/technology to offer its On Demand Service.

Raj Barman founded Acutrack in his garage in 1992. Now president and chief executive officer, he says the secret to their success lies in their ability to adept to customer’s needs, and the company is constantly adding new services and value propositions.

Philip Nelson of Independent Features, one of Acutrack’s customers said, "Acutrack's On Demand production engine is absolutely essential for us. We plan to have more than 400 DVD titles selling on our site; so Acutrack's zero-inventory model is the only way for us to conduct our business in a cost effective manner. We can add several titles each and every day and never have to worry about stocking them or producing them."

Speaking of value propositions... in celebration of 15 years in business, Acutrack customers may register and use the following promotional codes which are valid until 12/31/07:

Customers may shop the Acutrack webstore for blank media and supplies: Use Promo code ACU15 and get 15 percent off of any item.

Customers may use the Self Service site to submit orders online for short run CD/DVD production. Use Promo code ACU1507 and get a 15 percent discount.