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Voyager first impresssions |
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Contents |
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Background |
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Endeavor Information Systems Inc from Des Plaines Illinois were formed in 1994 from Carlyle and Marcorp and have built up an impressive
US customer base in the academic and research market. Their first system in Europe was in Sweden at Stockholm University where they replaced an ageing Geac GLIS system about 2 years ago. They
now plan to launch seriously into the UK and the rest of Europe.
The system is designed as a 3 tier client server architecture (see technology briefing) with the client Graphical User Interface, application server and database server clearly separated to give great flexibility both to the system’s developers and the system implementor. Starting from scratch so recently (1994) has given Endeavor the opportunity to build a modern system and they haven’t missed it. This brief review concentrates on some of the more interesting features rather than describing every standard module in depth.
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Technical |
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The OPAC client GUI is Windows or Web browser, the staff client is Windows. Dumb terminal access including telnet is also possible
for low-tech OPAC users. The application server software runs on Sun’s Solaris, IBM’s RS6000 AIX or Windows NT. The database server is an RDBMS
Oracle. Communication between application and database server is via SQL. (See technology briefing on databases). Endeavor make a point of stressing conformance to standards USMARC, Z39.50, HTML and TCP/IP
so that integration into modern networks in academic or research environments should be no problem.
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OPAC |
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The OPAC confirms the modern trend towards making more and more functions available to the user via a secure “log-on” procedure.
See the BTR review of Self Service trends. The search options are built on flexible, library defined indexes. A nice array of different approaches to searching is provided to suit different levels of user - a powerful command-line retrieval for experts, a Web search engine flavoured keyword search and a “Boolean Builder” for the less experienced who want to build a complex search. There are browseable indexes for the authority heading files with clear cross references and good filtering features. Other features include relevance ranking, search history with edit and marking for download/print.
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Multi-Media |
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Multi-media links to sound, video, images etc. is via the 856 MARC tag with the ability to link multiple objects to a single record
not always found on multi-media cataloguing systems. Voyager also handles the often-neglected copyright and charging issues for images via a separate application module ImageServer.
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Other Special Modules |
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Citation Server is a special application module that allows citation databases such as UMI and HW Wilson services to be loaded as
long as they are in USMARC format - and linked to the catalogue.
There are updating routines available to refresh the databases as required. This integrated citation database is searched via the standard Voyager interface and indexes so makes life easier for the user. Integration also allows Voyager to show whether the journal and issue for a retrieved article citation are held in the library.
Voyager also allows you to access any Z39.50 or Silver platter ERL server
so you could get virtually any source catalogue or database to report back with a local holdings status. Access management features allow the systems librarian to control access to meet commercial licensing arrangements.
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Cataloguing |
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Cataloguing is MARC based with both bibliographic and authority records held and edited in USMARC format. The use of MDI
Multiple Document Interface allows the cataloguer to open several records at once to make record comparison and editing easier. Authority control includes thesaurus type controls for
“narrower”, “related” and “use for” relations.
Global edit features include batch as well as individual record changes at both field and subfield levels so that a geographic subfield for say, Bombay could be changed to Mumbai throughout the authority file. New MARC conventions are supported such as 006 multiple formats within a single bibliographic record to cope with book + CD-ROM + audio tape combinations for example.
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Acquisitions and Serials |
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The acquisitions and funds control seems to be well designed with attention to the practical details of multiple fund allocation for a
single order, hierarchical fund maintenance etc.
Voyager supports the UN/EDIFACT standard for EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and claims to cover the full cycle of EDI operations from ordering through claims to invoicing. Obviously the practicality of use for this level of technology is dependent on the support by suppliers, but it is good to see a system vendor ahead of the game investing early in the international standard rather than having to be bullied into compliance. Another interesting feature in acquisitions is the adoption of a Standard Interface Format to allow acquisitions report data to be exported to other applications e.g. MS Access for further processing at the client. Thus the library can develop or maintain any existing local customisation of correspondence when they transfer to Voyager, via familiar local desktop tools.
Serials also makes good use of existing standards for holdings (USMARC) and OPAC display (NISO).
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Circulation |
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Circulation covers the main functions expected in a large academic library including a full patron/item type matrix for loan periods
etc.
Again the use of MDI - Multiple Document Interface means that issue/return screens can be open at the same time with a simple click between them. There is a Course Reserve material management function.
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Contacts |
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Voyager is a well-designed modern system and deserves a close look by anyone upgrading in a Higher Education or Research Library
environment. Its entry into the European marketplace will be interesting as they will no doubt be looking for a slice of the SLS upgrade market that Innovative hopes to make its own.
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Sites Update. |
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Outside the USA Voyager is installed in:
- Australia: 3 including the CSIRO consortiumof 58 libraries
- New Zealand: 1
- Sweden: 6
- Canada: 5
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