Abstract: A system and method for managing circulation of magazines or other printed items. A predetermined schedule is established for distribution of sequential issues. Actual circulation of each issue is compared to inventory, advertising or other circulation commitments for each issue. Predetermined starting and ending dates for circulation of successive issues are modified. An original circulation period may be extended, e.g. to exhaust an existing inventory of pre-printed copies of a particular issue and reduce waste and corresponding costs, or to meet a circulation/advertising commitment. Alternatively, the original circulation period may be contracted so that particular issue is prematurely replaced with a subsequent issue, e.g. when an advertising commitment has been met earlier than originally planned, thereby providing an opportunity to sell and/or collect revenues on additional advertising space in a subsequent issue.

Abstract: A system and method for asynchronously distributing stage-based information in printed format, such as a newsletter, book, or printed magazine. Stages of a process are identified that are independent of a continuum of time. A customized magazine edition is prepared for each of the stages. Based upon registration information provided by a subscriber, a check is performed to presently qualify the subscriber for an edition by determining which stage presently corresponds to the subscriber, and then determining whether the subscriber's stage falls within each edition's applicable range of stages. A single subscriber may receive more or less concurrently multiple editions of a magazine from a single subscription. Additionally, in a single sending period, the publisher of the magazine may simultaneously send several different editions of the magazine, each being targeted to individuals in different stages of the process.

Abstract: Information is distributed to various subscribers in printed format, e.g. in magazine editions. Individual subscribers must qualify to receive each edition. The individual subscribers qualify independently, and potentially asynchronously. Inventory is managed by determining in advance a number of subscribers that will qualify to receive the edition during a predetermined period, and printing only a corresponding number of copies. A delay period may be used to disqualify an otherwise qualified recipient that has received another, or a similar, copy of a magazine during a preceding period. Inventory may be further managed by determining which of a group of presently qualifying recipients will not qualify for a next issue of a magazine, and allocating inventory of a present issue of the magazine first to those that will not qualify for the next issue. Such inventory control allows for maximizing of circulation and avoidance of shortages and costly supplemental print runs.