1. A PC computer with a USB connection
2. Internet access and an email address. Broadband (or at least flat-rate modem) is highly recommended, as you will need to be online for all the time you’re scanning books and dealing with orders.
3. A printer for printing address labels
4. Basic internet usage skills (browsing websites, sending and receiving emails)
5. Access to transport in order to regularly post books ordered by customers and also to buy in fresh supplies of books in their area
6. You can certainly start by storing your books at home but as your business increases you may have to use a garage/lock up/storage unit.
7. Determination to succeed

We provide a barcode scanning device in the start-up package, which uses a USB (keyboard) connection. If your computer does not provide such a connection (almost every PC does), you will need to let us know so we can investigate alternatives.

You will use our Agent Extranet system to enter book data and deal with orders. Only books with ISBN numbers and/or barcodes can be entered into the system, and the book data will be immediately presented, including a picture where available. When an order is placed, all the information will be presented to you via this system, as well as via an email. You will be able to confirm shipping directly from this system.

The Agent Extranet is a very simple and easy-to-use website system, and each screen has clear instructions on how to use the relevant functions. There will also be a Help manual available on the system, as well as a paper copy in the startup pack. No special computer software is required, and there will be nothing to install on your machine. The system is simply a secure website which you will be given a username and password for, thus maintaining the utmost security on both your system and ours. All data transferred between yourself and our system is encrypted, so there is no danger of interception. In addition, the system is multi-user. This means when your business grows in size, you would be able to use several people scanning in books and dealing with orders at the same time.

Of course if you do have a problem, help is always available from IBUK, who have a dedicated IT department monitoring and maintaining the systems. You will be given a support email address which you can contact to be put in touch with IT Support. We will endeavour to respond to any problems as soon as we can. There is also a messaging system built into the Extranet, which we can use to inform you of any problems, and provide hints and tips for optimal use of the system.