Inmagic, Inc., was not able to respond in a timely way to LSN's annual survey of the library automation industry, so its DB Text for Libraries product was not able to be included in the April issue on PC- and Mac-based products.
DB Text for Libraries is available both software-only and as a product bundled with hardware, but most customers purchase software only. The product runs on Pentium PCs using Windows 95/98/NT as the operating system and DB/Text Works as the database management system. The major programming language is C++, and considerable Java and VB scripting are used within the product. Both standalone and LAN-based versions are available. The product supports up to 500 concurrent users and up to 2 billion records. The system is capable of taking in full-MARC bibliographic records, but it does not retain them, nor can one create full-MARC records using the edit function.
In 1999, the product enjoyed 385 ''new name" customers (those who did not already have one of the company's products), bringing the total number of customers to 5,250 worldwide (all special libraries). The available modules are acquisitions, serials control, cataloging, circulation, patron access catalog (both GUI and Web-based), interlibrary loan, materials booking, remote database searching through a gateway in the CPU, and report generator. A Z39.50 client is available but not a Z39.50 server. The product doesn't support EDIFACT online ordering and claiming. The vendor has no records on which customers are using which modules. Many users of the product limit their use to the patron access catalog or to creating or maintaining a special database- an area of strength.
The vendor had sales of $5-$10 million in 1999, and realized an after-tax profit. A staff of 4.5 employees develops and maintains the software, 10 do marketing and sales, and 8 provide customer support.
Inmagic ranked fifth in "new name" sales in 1999, behind Follett, Sagebrush, COMPanion, and CASPR, although it was first in sales to special libraries. Its installed base ranked fifth behind the same four vendors.
[Contact: Inmagic, Inc., (781) 938-4442, fax: (781) 938-6393; Web:www.inmagic.com].
