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Surpass release Central 2.0 -
major upgrade |
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Press release: Mon, 21 Aug 2000
Surpass Software
recently released Surpass Central 2.0, an upgrade to the core module of the Surpass line of library automation products. New features include special features for Accelerated Reader
users, importing student photos from Lifetouch Administrator's CD, and customized patron fields that can trigger alert tones and dialog boxes.
Surpass Central version 2.0 represents a significant milestone in the development of Surpass.
Not only does Surpass have the features typically found in an automation package, but with this new release the capabilities are extended into new areas, while existing features have been enhanced.
One of the significant new features in Central 2.0 is the ability to import Accelerated Reader
test lists. Central will look for matches and automatically update the MARC records in Surpass for books that have Accelerated Reader tests. The customer can perform this operation from
within Central, without the need to export and send records to an outside service. Surpass updates the MARC 526 tag, used to denote reading program information. Users of Surpass
Safari, the public access catalog for Surpass, can perform standard subject, author, subject or keyword searches and request that the results be limited only to materials for which a test is
available. The patron can even specify to show only materials within a certain reading level, or choose to print a list of all Accelerated Reader books in a certain reading level range.
Another significant feature in Central 2.0 is the ability to batch import patron photos directly from
a Lifetouch® Administrator's CD. Schools using Lifetouch National School Studios for their photographer can request a CD-ROM that is "Surpass-ready." This feature combined with the
ability to print patron photo-ID cards from within Surpass Central make a perfect combination. And with Central 2.0, users can now print the photo ID cards to inexpensive plain paper to be
laminated with a low cost laminator - a big savings over using special ID card printers and stock.
Another new and unique feature in Central 2.0 allows the administrator to set custom patron
fields that will trigger alert tones and display optional dialog boxes during circulation if data is present in that field.
Some of the new features in Surpass Central 2.0 are: ·
- Accelerated Reader™ test list import (MARC 526) ·
- Batch import of photos from Lifetouch® Administrator's CD™ ·
- Seven additional custom patron fields ·
- Custom patron fields that can trigger alert tones and dialog boxes ·
- Custom patron fields that can be set to words, numbers, or yes/no checkboxes ·
- Choice of which patron custom field should appear on circulation screens ·
- Enhanced features for patron photo ID card printing
Central 2.0 is a comprehensive update that does not require users of Central 1.0 to install
intermediate updates. It encompasses all new features since 1.0 including: ·
- Preview of photos before importing ·
- Temporary override of security level ·
- Additional built-in reports ·
- Easy Authority™ for ensuring consistency in data entry ·
- Capability of adding new materials on-the-fly during checkout ·
- Enhancement and simplification of process for adding custom fields to patron notices ·
- Ability to save multiple versions of notice text for use in different situations ·
- Option to renew materials directly from patron status screen ·
- Option to print receipts for fines collected directly from the circulation screen ·
- Capability of publishing reports to the web (HTML) or saving them PDF or as Excel spreadsheets
Free, fully-functional demonstration versions of Surpass are available at SurpassSoftware.com
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