Automated serial control systems have been the focus of a number of items in recent issues of LSN. The high level of activity in this field is demonstrated by a number of recent developments:
- MetaMicro is no longer marketing its serial control system but is continuing to support its existing client base.
- Southwest Business Publications, a Houston—based subscription agency, is testing an experimental online system that would give clients access to publisher and library files and allow online searching and ordering, check—in, claiming, and the generation of binding and routing slips. The Southwest Online System (SOL) is housed on a Rexon computer and can be accessed remotely using Hazeltine terminals.
- Read-More Publications, a New York subscription agency, has developed serials control software for the IBM PC. Depending on the number of titles to be controlled, the system uses floppy or hard disks to record brief bibliographic records. It supports check-in, claiming, the production of orders, and routing. The system can also be used to transmit data to Read-More. Undergoing continual development, the software is available to Read-More clients for $1,000. There is no software maintenance fee; updates are distributed free of charge.
- Library Computer Services, Inc., of Roslyn Heights, New York, is publicizing its batch-oriented computerized periodical routing system. The main product of the service are 3” x 5” cards bearing the title of the periodical and the names of routing recipients. The cards are produced in four-week cycles.
- Ebsco has completed its reevaluation of its mainframe-based Serials Control System and will begin accepting new customers for the service. A number of enhancements will be made over the next few months, including changes to the routing, union listing, and binding capabilities. It will also begin marketing CLASS' CheckMATE serial control software for the IBM PC, and in September will release software for a standalone routing capability on the PC. Other planned developments include making the contents of standard hard—copy reports available on floppy disks, and introducing software to enable these data to be manipulated on personal computers.
- Swets has developed an integrated automated library system which contains a serials component. Of the recently introduced integrated systems that include serials control, the Editors believe that the Swets system may include a particularly sophisticated serials control module.
[Contact: Southwest Business Publications, 11747 Katy Freeway, P.O. Box 19661, Houston, TX 77024, (800) 792—7462; Read-More Publications, 140 Cedar St., New York, NY 10006, (212) 349—5540; Library Computer Services, Inc., P.O. Box 11, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577, (516) 484—1317; Ebsco, P.O. Box 1943, Birmingham, AL 35201, (205) 991—6600; Swets North America, Inc., P.O. Box 517, Berwyn, PA 19312, (215) 644—4944.]
