Tables for Automated System Marketplace 2005

Librarians who want to strengthen their automation environment are more likely to invest in supplemental products than switch systems. These products almost always improve access or management of e-content. Link resolvers are now standard for academic libraries heavily invested in electronic resources. Interest in metasearch is high for both public and academic libraries. Now several companies are developing electronic resource management (ERM) modules.

From a competitive standpoint, these products allow companies to penetrate libraries committed to a competitor.

But to market into competitors' accounts successfully, the product must be best of breed. Look at Ex Libris, which successfully markets its SFX link resolver and MetaLib metasearch environment to many libraries running systems other than ALEPH 500. Likewise, Innovative has sold its ERM system to major libraries outside the Millennium fold. VTLS aims to be the specialist in institutional repositories, providing installation, customization, integration, and support services for the open source FEDORA™ application.

Typically acquired on the subscription model, e-resources are even more complex than journal subscriptions, with the need to track many license conditions such as restrictions in access and interlibrary loan. All the emerging products take into consideration the Digital Library Federation's Electronic Resources Management Initiative's definitive parameters and requirements.

Innovative delivered its ERM solution well ahead of its competitors. The company announced its product in 2003 and has sold 109 systems to date. Major clients include the Library of Congress, Yale University's Law Library, and Cornell University. Expanding on the software platform of SFX, Ex Libris is developing Verde, its ERM offering, with beta-test partners MIT and Harvard. General release is expected in early 2005.

Endeavor is building Meridian, its ERM, in partnership with Princeton, Columbia, and Pittsburgh. Dynix announced it will offer an ERM module and is working with Johns Hopkins and the University of Chicago. Dynix's ERM, which will be fully integrated into the ILS rather than a standalone system, is slated for release later in 2005.

VTLS introduced the VERIFY ERM application, designed either to integrate into Virtua or operate as a standalone.