| Today, there's a new trend among independent | | | | |
| musicians. They have started using new | | | | On demand technology offers multiple |
| technologies including On Demand Short Run CD | | | | packaging choices, retail finish quality, |
| DVD Production. This enables them to order | | | | quick turnaround and no minimum orders. The |
| smaller batches (one at a time) of CDs and | | | | entire process of ordering, production, |
| DVDs online, 24/7, and then ship to | | | | packaging and shipping is automated with an |
| customers. | | | | on demand engine, enabling the management of |
| | | | thousands of unique orders. |
| The Internet has always held promise of being | | | | |
| a new outlet for independent musicians, and | | | | Jazz musician, Alaadeen said, "In order to |
| today there are new technologies that can | | | | get a good rate to manufacture CDs, I had to |
| help musicians get ahead. In addition to | | | | manufacture large quantities. In the past, |
| social media platforms like YouTube and | | | | this led to excessive inventories. Then, |
| Google Video among many others that allow | | | | there was the distribution problem. CD On |
| posting music clips online, some independent | | | | Demand is appealing for artists." |
| musicians have started using something called | | | | |
| On Demand Short Run CD/DVD Production, | | | | With traditional CD/DVD replication services, |
| enabling them to order smaller batches of CDs | | | | significant quantity orders are required at |
| and DVDs in real time online 24/7 and ship to | | | | one time and customers need a method to |
| promoters and customers, one at a time. | | | | distribute them to the end user. There are |
| | | | many situations when this does not work. The |
| This platform allows artists to retain | | | | new on demand production technology helps |
| ownership of their music and all rights to | | | | people avoid the hassle of inventory, |
| any content. The on demand platform makes it | | | | packaging and fulfillment; delivers custom |
| possible for artists to sell their music | | | | content how, when and where a customer wants |
| without manufacturing a thousand discs, so a | | | | it; and automates and tracks order |
| lack of financial resources is not a | | | | processing. |
| determining factor as to whether an artist's | | | | |
| music is heard by the public. | | | | Kristin Gabriel is the marketing |
| | | | communications director for Acutrack, Inc. |
| For example, a musician can send a finished | | | | Established in 1992, Acutrack, Inc. enables |
| product directly to a radio station without | | | | customers to create, publish and deliver |
| having to produce thousands of copies. | | | | custom content for DVD and CD distribution |
| Artists can provide graphics and the master | | | | worldwide. Acutrack's proprietary On Demand |
| and CD, or the DVD orders can be filled on an | | | | production gives customers the ability to |
| as needed basis. Orders can be filled for the | | | | produce and ship custom packaged CDs or DVDs |
| artists, their distributors or for | | | | one at a time. Ideal for customers who are |
| cosnumers. This makes it possible for artists | | | | selling downloadable content and are not sure |
| to put their music out to the public with | | | | how many units to produce, On Demand takes |
| little expense and no inventory. | | | | care of inventory, packaging and fulfillment. |