In the July issue of LSN, we reported on companies that had chosen the recent ALA Annual Conference in Dallas as the venue at which to announce their entrance into the library automation turnkey and software markets. The following reports detail the new system capabilities showcased at that meeting by several of the more established library vendors.
CLSI
CLSI (CL Systems, Inc.) emphasized its DataLink intersystem communications module which supports access to remote databases through installed LIBS 100 terminals. Users can automatically dial and log into a remote system using a few key-strokes. CLSI has arranged access to the Harvard Business Review Database (HBR / ONLINE) and is negotiating access rights for its customers to other data bases including those of Information Access Corporation.
CLSI also announced that it is expanding the line of hardware on which its LIBS 100 is supported, incorporating DEC's new LSI 11/73 into the product line. The 11/73 is available in stand-alone LIBS 100 systems, or it may be incorporated into multiprocessor configurations.
DataPhase
DataPhase announced that it is developing microcomputer software to support acquisitions, circulation and patron access catalog functions on IBM, Apple and Data General personal computers. Called the Eastwind series, the single- function, single user, software modules can function as standalone systems or be interfaced with a minibased A ALIS system configuration, or other library automated system. The circulation software, due to be released in October, will be priced at $2,500. Annual software maintenance is priced at $250. Discounts will be available for quantity purchase and for libraries which join the company's Eastwind Association. The patron access and acquisitions software is expected to be available by March 1985.
DataPhase also announced an agreement with Unmet, Inc., to enter a joint venture to develop a Data Share Information Network to link automated library systems and eventually provide access to library information from businesses, homes and educational institutions. Unmet, Inc., is one of the nation's largest public packet-switching data communications companies. Its network serves over 350 U.S. cities and 40 countries, providing data transfer between a terminal and host computer, or between two hosts. The service includes modifications in network and host sign-on procedures which allow greater ease of access among disparate systems. DataPhase indicated that it will try to involve the vendors of all major library systems in the emerging network.
The company also introduced another hardware option for its ALIS automated library system. parallel 300 computers will be used to support mid-sized installations for libraries with 50,000 to 100,000 titles. The Parallel can also function as a front end to another host computer for patron access catalog functions. The Parallel hardware is promoted as being particularly fault-tolerant in relation to the environment in which it is housed. A computer room is not required and the system plugs directly into a 110 VAC outlet. It will handle up to 16 terminals and has a backup memory on each terminal. The software uses the Unix, level 4 operating system.
Dynix
Dynix announced that it is configuring installations of its system hardware and software to support the retrospective conversion activities many libraries need to complete before installing turnkey library automated systems. The company offers two options:
For Option A, a typical configuration consisting of CPU, storage, 3 to 4 terminals with light pens, a tape drive, software, and training costs $3,300 per month. In addition, each hit is charged for at the rates of $.15 per LC MARC record or $.50 per Carrollton Press REMARC record. The per record charges are the same for Option B, but the charge for hardware and software is lower--$l,900 per month for a system to support 3 or 4 terminals. While aimed both at prospective customers for the Dynix automated library system and at other libraries requiring retrospective conversion support, the service is particularly attractive to Dynix customers since 60 percent of the monthly charge may be applied to the purchase price of a Dynix system.a) a system loaded with brief records from the Library of Congress U.S. books MARC tapes. Library staff search the file by LCCN, recall the brief record to check the accuracy of the match, and enter the appropriate item data including barcode labels. Data for items not found in LCCN search are entered in the Carrollton Press title search key. When all items have been handled, the library's conversion data is output onto tape and sent to Dynix where the full records are retrieved from the LC MARC and Carrollton Press tapes.
b) A system loaded with the LCCNs for LC cataloging for U.S. books. In this configuration, library staff search by LCCN and enter the local data for hits. This option does not offer access to a brief record to check the accuracy of the hit. Tapes of hits are shipped to Dynix which extracts the matching full MARC records and processes the local data.
The company will also arrange to preload the conversion systems with other relevant records such as the archival tapes from an institution's bibliographic utility. Authority control files are developed at the time when Dynix processes and mounts the full records which match a library's search requests.
Innovative Interfaces
Innovative Interfaces, Inc., demonstrated the latest addition to its Innovacq library system--the Innovacq Patron Access Catalog. Designed to be used with the available Innovacq functions of acquisitions and serials control, or as a standalone system, the patron access catalog is due for general release later this year.
OCLC
OCLC focused on two of its local system options: the LS/2000 Micro Series and the LS/2000 Timesharing option.
For those familiar with the micro-based system offered by Avatar prior to its acquisition by OCLC, the announcement of a microconfigured version of LS/2000 has been long awaited. The system, configured on Data General or DEC computers, offers smaller libraries a cost effective approach to multifunction integrated automation. A system with a DEC 11/73, an 84MB Winchester disk drive, 10 terminals with full ALA character set, two barcode readers, a modem, dot matrix printer, licenses, documentation, training, delivery and full LS/2000 software costs $84,550. The current software includes file development and maintenance, online catalog with keyword access, circulation control and an OCLC interface. Serials control and acquisitions will be released in 1985 at no extra cost.
Also previously established in the Avatar environment, the OCLC LS/2000 Timesharing service offers integrated library automation without the expense of purchasing and operating an inhouse computer. Functions supported on the system are: online patron access catalog; automated circulation; file creation and maintenance, including authority control; and an administrative subsystem for notice and report production. The service is available from 7:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.; extended service hours are available for additional charges.
UTLAS
In addition to announcing a U.S. office address:
UTLAS Corp.from which to direct its increasing U.S. marketing efforts, the Canadian bibliographic utility focused on its IBM-PC based patron access catalog (see LSN Vol. IV, No. 7), its joint marketing agreement with CLSI, and its new electronic interlibrary loan facility.
701 Westchester Avenue
Suite 308W
White Plains, NY 10604
(914) 997-1495
[Contacts: CLSI, 1220 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02165 (617) 965-6310; DataPhase, 9000 West 67th Street, Shawnee Mission, 1(5 66202 (913) 262-5100; Dynix, 1455 West 820 North, Provo, UT 84601 (801) 375-2770; Innovative Interfaces, 2131 University Avenue, Suite 334, Berkeley, CA 94704 (415) 540-0880; OCLC, 6565 Frantz Road, Dublin, OH 43017 (614) 764-6000.]
