Hi,
I'm not working in the UK at the moment, but I am from / trained in the UK. I have set up ICA AtoM in my tiny 2 man archive in Canada and I'm really pleased with it.
I love the way that the fields are based on ISAD (G) and ISAAR. You can upload digital images up to 121MB (huge) so you can actually use it to store your master files, and then it automatically generates a jpeg and a thumbnail for quick browsing. It is a proper archive database with hierarchy and links to authority records. It has a user friendly navigation system which is better than any I've ever seen to date and it can export into EAD and Dublin Core, although I have not tested this personally, so cannot vouch for it.
And, most importantly, it is FREE. There is absolutely no way in the world that a small institution like mine could buy and maintain a system like CALM. Before I started using this system the archive was using a standard database not meant for archival descriptions and if it weren't for ICA AtoM then we still would be (shudder).
The only disadvantage is that it is still under-development still and there are bugs. I wouldn't recommend anyone to undertake this without IT support as it can be quite a challenge. However I believe the company that developed it will host it for $1500 CND a year, which would negate the need for IT support. But then, of course it is no longer free. But, its not a lot of money and it would certainly be an easier option than hosting it yourself if you can afford to.
Having said that, the developers have been fantastic and have helped me iron out any bugs I have had, its just that doing so is a bit of a process. Also, they are totally open to suggestions on improvements to functionality and they've even helped me to customise a few elements. There is a new version out in April and perhaps it will be less buggy then - I'm looking forward to it!
I would definitely recommend this to a small archive that can't afford CALM or similar, and perhaps after this new version is out, I might even recommend it to those that can.
If anyone wants to know more, feel free to email me, or we could even set up a skype meeting, although it takes a bit of organising because of the time difference.
Best,
Sarah
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From: Archivists, conservators and records managers. [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask] [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 18 March 2010 23:04
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: ICA ATOM
Do any United Kingdom repositories use the free ICA ATOM software for cataloguing their collections? What are the advantages (or disadvantages) compared to subscription packages? Please reply on list, all opinions welcome. I have been asked to post on behalf of non subscriber.
Thank you,
Kat Jakowska
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