Fulfillment for the publishing sector
Full control of shipments and returns in publishing logistics
In publishing logistics, the challenge is not to move books, but to maintain control, active referencing for years, ISBN management, timely campaigns and massive returns. Bolian organises logistics operations so that shipping, stock and returns work accurately, predictably and frictionlessly, even as volume grows.
Publishing Logistics
Real impact of well-organised editorial logistics
Fewer errors in picking and preparation
When references are well identified by ISBN and the flow is guided, confusion between similar editions, formats and titles is reduced, even at peaks of activity.
Reliable inventory at all times
An orderly and visible stock avoids breakages, overselling and unnecessary replenishment. Decisions are made with real data, not estimates.
Flow-integrated returns
Returns are no longer an isolated problem and become part of the system. They are checked, sorted and returned to inventory without losing control.
Industry challenges
Logistics challenges for a publisher
Publishing logistics combines references that live for years, launches with fixed dates, part-work collections and a volume of returns that other industries never see.
Long catalogues by ISBN
Editions, formats and reprints of the same title coexist in the warehouse. If they are not properly identified, picking errors are inevitable.
Collections, part-works and subscriptions
Every subscriber has to receive the right instalment on the right date, even when the collection runs to dozens of issues.
Launches and campaigns
A new release, a pre-order or the Christmas campaign concentrates thousands of orders into a few days.
Bulk returns
Returns from bookshops and distributors arrive in volume and have to be inspected, sorted and put back into stock without stopping the operation.
How we solve it
How Bolian handles publishing logistics
Grupo Akoma, Bolian’s parent company, has been in logistics since 1991 and has managed Planeta DeAgostini collections for more than 30 years. That experience translates into:
- References identified by ISBN and guided picking so editions and formats are never mixed up.
- Management of subscriptions and part-work collections synchronised with every cycle.
- Grupo Akoma’s robotic station with 20 robots and 20,000 totes, capable of handling more than 350,000 units a day.
- Its own OMS that automates B2C and B2B orders, with native integrations with Shopify and WooCommerce.
- Returns inspected, sorted and put back into inventory within the normal flow.
- National and international shipments from the same stock.
How we start: we identify your references by ISBN, connect your online store and subscription system and define the shipping calendar for each collection. We plan launches and pre-orders in advance so stock is slotted and ready before the release date. Returns from bookshops and distributors are received through a dedicated process that sorts each title by condition and puts it back into inventory, so the stock you see in the system is the stock you can actually sell.
Models we operate
Publishing models we operate
Online book sales
Single-unit orders to readers with fast shipping and tracking, including during launches and pre-orders.
Collectibles and part-works
Part-work collections with a fixed calendar, the model we operate for Planeta DeAgostini. For monthly boxes and renewals, see subscription logistics.
Distribution to bookshops
Carton or pallet orders to bookshops and distributors, with delivery notes, and management of the returns they generate.
Success story
Planeta DeAgostini: subscriptions worldwide
Grupo Akoma and Planeta DeAgostini have worked together for more than 30 years, from newsstand distribution to global ecommerce. Today Akoma runs Planeta DeAgostini’s logistics centre in Barberà del Vallès and its international subscriptions from Bolian, with a robotic station that handles more than 350,000 units a day.
Latest success stories
Optimise your logistics together with Bolian
+350.000
units
20
robots
20.000
bins
Worldwide subscriptions
+100
direct shipments to pharmacies on a weekly basis
Logistics partners
direct connection
Incidents and returns
day-to-day management
More than 100 direct shipments to pharmacies
10.000
different skus
10
courier partners
2.000
daily orders
+10.000
Black Friday orders
More than 2,000 orders per day
Canary Islands → mainland Spain
stock in Barcelona for mainland customers
Summer season
orders picked and checked one by one
3PL fulfillment
storage, picking and shipping
Swimwear from the Canary Islands to all of mainland Spain
They already trust
Accelerate your logistics and growth with Bolian
Do you want to order your editorial logistics?
We analyse your current operations, understand the complexity of your references and show you how to structure frictionless shipping, stock and returns.
Connect your shop and you're done.
Bolian integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce and marketplaces to synchronise orders and stock without manual processes.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Yes. It is the model we have operated for Planeta DeAgostini for more than 30 years: every subscriber receives their instalment on the right date.
Every reference is identified by ISBN and the system guides and validates picking, reducing confusion between editions, formats and similar titles.
Grupo Akoma’s robotic station, with 20 robots and 20,000 totes, can handle more than 350,000 units a day.
Yes. Returns are received, inspected, sorted and put back into inventory without losing control of stock.
Yes. Our OMS integrates natively with Shopify and WooCommerce, and with other platforms and ERPs via API.
Yes. We plan the launch in advance so stock is received and slotted before the release date and pre-orders are prepared as soon as the product is released.
Yes. We handle national and international shipments from the same stock; within the EU, France and Portugal in 24-48 h, Italy and Germany in 48-72 h and the rest in 3-5 working days.
Ready for your day-to-day... and your campaigns?
Operation designed to manage thousands of daily orders, keep your stock in order and stabilise your shipments even during peaks such as Black Friday.
- Precise logistics, fully under control
- Real-time visibility of orders and stock
- Stable performance during peaks and launches
Keep exploring
More on publishing fulfilment: industries, services and integrations
Other industries
Services
Integrations
Success story
All integrations
Fulfillment and e-commerce platform integration
Bolian's software and warehouses integrate with your ecommerce technology, whatever it may be. Choose your platform and discover how we connect your orders, stock and shipping in real time.