General FAQs

Is JCS a publisher?

No, JCS is not a publisher. JCS is a subscription agent for many publishers, carefully selecting e-resources and negotiating with publishers to provide schools, public libraries and FE Colleges with the best possible price.

Why use JCS instead of going directly to the publisher?

JCS has negotiated on the price of the resource with the publisher, to provide schools the best possible subscription fee. Plus, the JCS team is here to help if you have any problems with your subscriptions. We discuss issues with the publisher on your behalf so you don’t have to.

Why is the price quoted by JCS less than going directly to the publisher?

JCS has negotiated on the price of the resource with the publisher, to provide schools with the best possible price.

What is the JCS service fee and what does it cover?

The service that JCS provides to schools, Further Education Colleges and public libraries covered by our service fee includes:

• Finding and evaluating quality digital resources of value to schools.
• Negotiating with publishers/resource providers the best subscription rates.
• Negotiating generous terms and conditions of use which are laid out in the licence.
• Negotiating with publishers the opportunity to take a free trial before subscribing.
• Providing a high-quality customer service for subscribing institutions enabling any problems to be resolved quickly and efficiently and avoiding need to go direct to the publisher/product provider.
• Providing a regional account executive to help with questions about the resources, technical queries, and pricing.

Can I purchase a resource, rather than subscribe?

No, all of our resources are available on a subscription basis only. However, if the publisher can offer perpetual access, JCS will be happy to enquire and negotiate on your behalf.

How do I check how much my renewal will cost?

A renewal reminder will automatically be sent to the primary contact of your subscription(s) 90 days prior your subscriptions’ renewal start date. If you need an indication of the cost prior to the reminder, please feel free to contact your JCS Account Executive on +44 (0) 1865 987211 or team@jcsonlineresources.org.

Will I be notified when my subscription comes up for renewal?

Yes. A renewal reminder will automatically be sent to the primary contact of your subscription(s) 90 days prior your subscriptions’ renewal start date. The invoice will then be sent to the finance contact 60 days prior to the renewal start date. The invoice is sent 60 days prior to the renewal start date to ensure access is not interrupted.

When will my new subscription start?

Subscriptions begin on the first of a month, so if you have ordered a subscription for a particular month, the publisher will be in contact on or just before the first of the month with details of your subscription, including access details. We encourage customers to order before the end of the month to ensure access is setup on time.

How can I get usage statistics for my resource(s)?

Usage statistics can be generated for the majority of our resources, either within administration accounts or by requesting them through JCS.

I’m new to my institution and they already subscribe to resources through JCS – what do I need to do?

You can either call us on +44 (0)1865 987211 and speak to a member of the team, or alternatively send your details to support@jcsonlineresources.org and someone will contact you promptly to discuss your institution’s subscription(s) and help with any queries. JCS will contact the relevant publishers on your behalf to change the contact for the subscription.

If you are the new primary contact for your school’s subscriptions, please email support@jcsonlineresources.org and provide your full name, work email address and job title. Alternatively, you can fill in this form.

What is involved with a free trial?

Free trials for resources are available for 14 days, and with no obligation to subscribe at the end. You can trial up to four resources at one time. You will be provided with a username and password, which you can share with staff and students if you wish to. We can give you a short feedback form to share with staff so you can hear their views to help make your decision on whether to go forward and subscribe.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Your subscription renewal can be cancelled at any time (but no later than 60 days prior to renewal). In order to cancel, please complete this short form to provide us with information about the subscription you wish to cancel.

Your cancellation will not be confirmed until you submit your completed form and receive your email acknowledgment from our finance department.  Please contact us on support@jcsonlineresources.org if you have any questions.

I have a subscription through another provider, but you offer the same resource at a better rate. Can I switch to JCS?

Yes, when your current subscription expires please contact us and we will be able to assist you with a smooth transition (your access arrangement for the resource will remain the same, although the invoice will come from JCS rather than your current provider/subscription agent).

How do I subscribe to JCS?

You can not subscribe to JCS. JCS is a subscription agent, not a resource. If you have any questions about this, please contact us on team@jcsonlineresources.org.

Can I pay by credit card?

Yes we are able to offer payment via credit card. Please contact accounts@jcsonlineresources.org for more information on how to do this.

Can I have an invoice in PDF format?

Yes! You can request a copy directly from our finance team by emailing accounts@jcsonlineresources.org.

Is it possible to add a purchase order to my invoice?

Purchase Order numbers can be added to an invoice before or after an invoice has been issued. Please forward a copy of the PO number to accounts@jcsonlineresources.org

How do I subscribe/order?

Please contact your JCS Account Executive on +44 (0)1865 987211 or team@jcsonlineresources.org and they will be able to support you with subscriptions and orders.

Who is authorised to use our subscriptions?

All staff and students at your institution are authorised to use your subscriptions. Login details must not be shared with external institutions or third parties.

Can my students access our resources from home?

Yes, all resources available through JCS are accessible remotely. Single Sign On (SSO) is available for selected resources. You can see the access options for each individual resource here.

Can I subscribe to a resource for just my class or cohort?

Due to licence arrangements with the publishers, a subscription covers all potential users of the resource and therefore the whole school, college or library.