Naviga Circulation and the Setup Process

Naviga Circulation allows newspapers to distribute their publications and manage their carrier/dealer and subscriber accounts. The way Circulation handles these two basic tasks— accounting and distribution—can be illustrated by the input-output model below.

Data enters the system primarily through Setup, Customer and Route Services, and Payment Entry:

• Information necessary for the system to function, such as publications, accounts, routes, trucks, and rates, is entered as part of the setup process. After initial setup, there is little activity in this area.

• Customer Service information includes transactions such as new starts, moves, complaints, and transfers. Address and occupant information is also part of Customer Service.

• Route Service information includes returns, draw changes and shortages.

• Payment Entry includes the entry of both account and subscriber payments.

The output data is used for either distribution or accounting purposes:

• Bundle tops and truck manifests allow the carriers, truck drivers, and distribution personnel at the newspaper to distribute their product. Mail labels can also be printed for mail subscribers.

• Account bills and subscriber renewal notices are the chief output on the accounting side. General ledger information can also be communicated to the newspaper’s general ledger system.

• Reports provide statistical data on a large variety of subjects.

Of the areas listed above, the only topic discussed in this manual is Setup. The diagram below illustrates where each setup item will most influence the four major areas of Circulation—Services, Accounting, Distribution, and Reports. Background items common to all areas are listed under “Circulation Database” in the center.

Currently, while many options have been moved to Circulation’s Graphical Setup module, others setup options are available only in a character interface, as described below. In both cases, options are located on submenus of the Setup menu.

This manual will be your guide to setting up the Circulation software. During the critical period, however, you will likely have additional training from Newscycle implementation personnel. You may be asked to fill out worksheets for some setup items and, in some cases, to take part in a conversion process, where data from another system is loaded into Circulation.