Taos, the next-generation automated library system from DRA is still not complete, but the vendor is continuing to sell the product and schedule installations. Sixteen contracts have been signed or are in negotiation. The first three systems will be installed this summer, including one which will serve the libraries of UCLA. Another five to six will be installed before the end of the year.
A number of existing DRA Classic customers are expected to migrate to Taos in 2000. The migration process will be quite rapid: one weekend for the off-load from Classic, and even less for the load into Taos.
All modules except acquisitions and media booking will be available by the end of 1999. Depending on the length of time required for testing, acquisitions will be available in early 2000. Media booking will be available later in 2000. The product is being jointly developed with another firm.
DRA is increasingly automating its customer support. Documentation is available online, as are new releases and patches. Customers can obtain status information about their trouble reports online, and will be able to log their trouble reports online as soon as the appropriate scripts have been developed.
[Contact: Data Research Associates, Inc., 1276 North Warson Road, St. Louis, MO 63132-1806; (800) 325-0888 or (314) 432-1100; fax (314) 993-8927; www.dra.com].
