Many of our library users enjoy and use the new titles lists that we create.
We will create these lists in the new iBistro. But it will take some time to do this.
iBistro does things differently -- there are many new ways to make things happen in Unicorn and we are on a learning curve.
Details about how these new title lists will appear will be posted here on the blogspot.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
February 24 -- New IPAC
The way you use the library from home and in the library is changing also.
The new IPAC is called iBistro.
You will be able to search for items and place holds. You will be able to renew items also. All of the features you are using will be available -- just in slightly different ways.
The url to posted on the left -- Test iBistro link -- check it out to see how the new public searching interface works
Questions? -- Please use the comments option in Blogspot.
The new IPAC is called iBistro.
You will be able to search for items and place holds. You will be able to renew items also. All of the features you are using will be available -- just in slightly different ways.
The url to posted on the left -- Test iBistro link -- check it out to see how the new public searching interface works
Questions? -- Please use the comments option in Blogspot.
February 24 Update
We have been "learning" the details in this Unicorn software over the past weeks. And getting the settings done to make the software work as desired.
There are many more things to be worked on then we ever imagined.
Training has started -- this coming week has a session on each day.
Shortgrass member libraries are now have their library workstations setup -- just some of the school based public libraries need some setup (they were not open last week).
We are on our second data load -- testing the procedure to move our data from the Dynix database to the Unicorn database. This preparation will help ensure that the final dataload progresses well.
The last week in February is also the last week that our staff work in Dynix doing cataloguing and acquisitions. Then this data will be moved into Unicorn in the first week of March. We review this final dataload following.
Then, we stop circulation at all libraries Sunday evening on March 9.
Then we start using the Unicorn software on Thursday March 13.
There are many more things to be worked on then we ever imagined.
Training has started -- this coming week has a session on each day.
Shortgrass member libraries are now have their library workstations setup -- just some of the school based public libraries need some setup (they were not open last week).
We are on our second data load -- testing the procedure to move our data from the Dynix database to the Unicorn database. This preparation will help ensure that the final dataload progresses well.
The last week in February is also the last week that our staff work in Dynix doing cataloguing and acquisitions. Then this data will be moved into Unicorn in the first week of March. We review this final dataload following.
Then, we stop circulation at all libraries Sunday evening on March 9.
Then we start using the Unicorn software on Thursday March 13.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
2007 January 10 -- Internet Catalogue
SirsiDynix offers two ways of providing access to our library's holdings -- iBistro/iLink and EPS (Enterprise Portal Solution).
For our Go Live date of March 13, we decided to use the iBistro/iLink solution as it best handles the variety of libraries that we serve -- public libraries, and school libraries.
There are some links on the left that will show how some other library consortiums have customized their Internet Catalog.
We will soon start customizing our version over the next while.
We also review how best to offer the other services that we have associated with the current IPAC software -- Bestseller lists, New items received, Online databases, etc.
For our Go Live date of March 13, we decided to use the iBistro/iLink solution as it best handles the variety of libraries that we serve -- public libraries, and school libraries.
There are some links on the left that will show how some other library consortiums have customized their Internet Catalog.
We will soon start customizing our version over the next while.
We also review how best to offer the other services that we have associated with the current IPAC software -- Bestseller lists, New items received, Online databases, etc.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Unicorn 3.1 vs Symphony / Unicorn 3.2
SD announced the public release of their new upgraded version of Unicorn and they are calling it Symphony.
We had hoped that we would be able to Go Live on the Symphony software. But the release date is in the middle of our data migration. One of the steps in the data migration is that SD staff create data migration tables that move our Dynix data to specific Unicorn data fields. The test data migration which we are completing ensures that the data moves to the correct data locations. Then the final data migration done at the Go Live time uses all of the tested settings.
Software upgrades introduce variations in the data fields and how they are setup. If we change the software targets after the data migration test is done, there is no guarantee that the final data migration will work as expected. This could cause the final data load to be corrupted. Then the Go Live Date would result in us not actually being able to Go Live.
Software upgrades also introduce unexpected bugs, and it is Best Practice to let other customers be the first to move to a new version. The software is very complex, and the beta testing of a few sites is not the same as having a few hundred customers work the new software in their individual environments. Each customer has variations in the setup tables, and real live testing at a few hundred sites will create a patch upgrade that will work better. Windows OS software is a perfect example that many of us experience.
During this testing period, we are working to ensure that our final data load goes quickly and loads correctly. This ensures that we can have our Go Live Date really happens OK.
We will miss having access to a number of the new features in Symphony such as Family Patrons and the Browser based staff client.
We will schedule a software upgrade later in 2008 in order to use the new features.
We had hoped that we would be able to Go Live on the Symphony software. But the release date is in the middle of our data migration. One of the steps in the data migration is that SD staff create data migration tables that move our Dynix data to specific Unicorn data fields. The test data migration which we are completing ensures that the data moves to the correct data locations. Then the final data migration done at the Go Live time uses all of the tested settings.
Software upgrades introduce variations in the data fields and how they are setup. If we change the software targets after the data migration test is done, there is no guarantee that the final data migration will work as expected. This could cause the final data load to be corrupted. Then the Go Live Date would result in us not actually being able to Go Live.
Software upgrades also introduce unexpected bugs, and it is Best Practice to let other customers be the first to move to a new version. The software is very complex, and the beta testing of a few sites is not the same as having a few hundred customers work the new software in their individual environments. Each customer has variations in the setup tables, and real live testing at a few hundred sites will create a patch upgrade that will work better. Windows OS software is a perfect example that many of us experience.
During this testing period, we are working to ensure that our final data load goes quickly and loads correctly. This ensures that we can have our Go Live Date really happens OK.
We will miss having access to a number of the new features in Symphony such as Family Patrons and the Browser based staff client.
We will schedule a software upgrade later in 2008 in order to use the new features.
January 3, 2008 -- Migration Update
Our test data migration is completed, and SD staff are checking our Unicorn 3.1 software to ensure that the setup is OK to turn over to us.
We still need to complete many of the software settings in order for the Unicorn software to recreate our circulation setup in Dynix.
We start testing and preparing for our onsite training that occurs in mid January. We have a SD trainer come to conduct some Circulation training of the trainer group. This trainer will also train the staff who are using the acquisitions and cataloguing software.
We still need to complete many of the software settings in order for the Unicorn software to recreate our circulation setup in Dynix.
We start testing and preparing for our onsite training that occurs in mid January. We have a SD trainer come to conduct some Circulation training of the trainer group. This trainer will also train the staff who are using the acquisitions and cataloguing software.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Tuesday, December 18th 2007
We are working our way through the initial data migration at this time. This covers moving our existing data in Dynix and moving it into the new Unicorn software.
We need to create all of our "control records" in the new Unicorn environment -- the control records are the way that the software uses values to have the software work the way we wish. Our main goal is to have things happen in ways similar to how they happen in Dynix.
We have access to a training version of the Unicorn 3.1 software and are looking forward to seeing how our data appears in the Unicorn environment (in early 2008).
We need to create all of our "control records" in the new Unicorn environment -- the control records are the way that the software uses values to have the software work the way we wish. Our main goal is to have things happen in ways similar to how they happen in Dynix.
We have access to a training version of the Unicorn 3.1 software and are looking forward to seeing how our data appears in the Unicorn environment (in early 2008).
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