The Optical Society (OSA) has announced the launch of Prism, its new web-based submission and manuscript tracking system for its suite of scholarly journals. When fully implemented, Prism will include customised modules for authors, reviewers and editors and will replace OSA's current system for handling the peer review process.
Prism was created to provide users with an easy-to-navigate interface and time-saving features. The first phase of the launch is the establishment of the author module, which includes new features like an easy-to-follow manuscript submission process, article tracking for co-authors, improved file uploading options and article classification options, and the ability to link co-authors and reviewer suggestions to existing OSA accounts.
Later this year, OSA will roll out new reviewer and editor modules. These modules will provide features like a single queue for reviewers to access their manuscript requests across all OSA journals and to submit referee comments. Editors will benefit from features designed to provide easier access to author responses when reviewing revised manuscripts, more reporting capability, and better tools for identifying appropriate experts to review submissions.
