The Higher Education Library Technology (HELibTech) website
(http://helibtech.com/) has a link to a recent (April 2010) overview of
library automation market trends and vendors. From the HELibTech home page
click the 'Library perspectives...' link. You can go directly to the page :
http://helibtech.com/Library+Perspectives
'New Models, Core Systems. Discovery interfaces add a new facet to the
marketplace'. Automation Marketplace 2010 By Marshall Breeding. Library
Journal. 1st April 2010 has a US bias. Nevertheless his comments and the
analysis of the market in general and vendors is useful. HELibTech has
vendor profiles for the main vendors to UK HE - see
http://helibtech.com/Vendor+Profiles
Breeding's emphasis on the new 'discovery interfaces' (vertical search) is
timely. It chimes well with the analysis from the 2008 SCONUL/JISC LMS
study, which is the foundation for HELibTech. HELibTech lists the 'discovery
interfaces used in UK HEIs (http://helibtech.com/HE+Systems+Review)
alongside other products. It would be great if HE Libraries would update the
listing (just sign in to the wiki and click 'edit' on the relevant page)
Clearly everyone has an OPAC but more are using federated search products
like MetaLib, and WebFeat and vertical search products like Encore and Primo
Breeding comments early on in the article:
'New models of automation are beginning to take shape, challenging the
traditional integrated library system (ILS) in an industry that has long
favored incremental evolution. Some new products and projects remain poised
to break free from traditional models, particularly discovery products that
can deliver immediate improvement to library users.'
He summarises and concludes
' Pressing forward into next year, we expect little relief in the ILS sales
slump; increased spending will continue on discovery products until options
emerge and economic pressures relent. On the three-year horizon, critical
projects anticipated will reach the point where they can impact the
industry. Open source ILS, now simmering at a low level, could reach a boil
given the right convergence of factors, including new automation models,
though a faltering among the businesses involved could stifle interest.
OCLC's potential to disrupt the market cannot be underestimated. Both Kuali
OLE and Ex Libris URM set high expectations with new conceptual approaches
but will not reach major market impact for at least the next five years. The
ramp-up period for products, especially those that invoke new conceptual
approaches, can be long. Meanwhile, the evolutionary branch of the industry
will see continued growth, establishing ever deeper roots to contrast with
divergent alternatives'.
Ken
CEO, Ken Chad Consulting Ltd
16 Regency Court. Brentwood. UK
Tel +44 (0)7788 727 845. Email: [log in to unmask]
www.kenchadconsulting.com <http://www.kenchadconsulting.com/>
Skype: kenchadconsulting
Check out the Higher Education Library Technology' website (wiki)
<http://lglibtech.wikispaces.com/> http://helibtech.com/
See my recent presentations on slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/kenchad
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