SirsiDynix: Integrated Library Systems
At the heart of SirsiDynix's technology offerings for libraries and consortia is the integrated library system (ILS). For our ILS customers, SirsiDynix delivers superior technology, outstanding customer service, and the backing of a worldwide organization in place to help ensure they make the most of their investments in the ILS technology infrastructure. What we really provide is an an enterprise solution – open, industry-standard, versatile, scalable technology for managing all technical and public services within libraries and consortia. With SirsiDynix ILS technology, libraries and consortia aren't just buying a product, though our ILS products offer n-tier architecture, open APIs, leading-edge security and authentication, and other leading technologies such as Java. In reality, our users are investing in the future of their institutions when they choose a SirsiDynix ILS.
SirsiDynix's flagship offering is SirsiDynix Symphony, a comprehensive, integrated library and consortium management system. It is built on the proven SirsiDynix Unicorn architecture that is in use by more library organizations around the world than any other single integrated library system.
With SirsiDynix Symphony leading the way for the future, SirsiDynix continues a 25-year commitment to providing libraries and consortia of all types and sizes a backbone system they can and do rely on to run their operations better and smarter, while and serving their users.
Symphony
Resources
Additional features and options for SirsiDynix Symphony in 2007
- Optional Web-based staff clients supporting key circulation, cataloging, inventory, and reporting functions-based on analysis of K-12 needs
- Spell checker in EPS user experience portal
- E-Vance calendar support in EPS
- Enhanced Unicode CJK browse search options.
- Enhanced support for display and printing of right-to-left-based scripts
- "Group patron card" for family and proxy situations
- Credits on user records for enhanced e-commerce
- "Books by Mail" option that allows authorized users to have materials delivered to home/office
- Web Reporter ad hoc reporting tool option for embedded and full Oracle sites
- Multi-tiered holdings display for consortia in EPS
- Unlimited, group-based hold parameters for hold fill by geographical or political factors
SirsiDynix Symphony, blending the best of the Unicorn GL3 and Horizon 8/Corinthian systems, offers libraries and consortia the stability, quality, and performance they need to operate productively and efficiently, while equipping them to serve people and entire communities. Open, versatile, and scalable, SirsiDynix Symphony is a total solution for managing all technical and public services – enabling libraries and consortia to cut costs while providing the highest quality of service.
Built on the foundation of the SirsiDynix Unicorn®, SirsiDynix Symphony benefits from its architecture being installed at more library sites around the world than any other single enterprise-caliber library system. Thanks to its flexible architecture, this powerful ILS solution is designed to always be current because it is able to easily accommodate new technologies and to evolve as necessary to meet the growing needs of libraries and their users.
Architecture to grow on
SirsiDynix Symphony features an elegant design that
employs an n-tier architecture. The flexibility of n-tier
design enables scalability and modularity. SirsiDynix
Symphony uses the same software architecture employed
by the industry-standard relational database management
system (RDBMS) technology of Oracle® databases, SAP,
and most of today’s major commercial information systems.
This architecture lends itself to supporting modular systems
and ensures that SirsiDynix Symphony has the scalability
to expand to meet the needs of all types and sizes of
libraries.
SirsiDynix Symphony's architecture makes it easy to change databases and to implement new functionality and entirely new modules and clients – all without requiring difficult and time-consuming redesign of the SirsiDynix Symphony server. SirsiDynix has a solid history of expanding Unicorn without altering the technology foundation and investments our clients already have in place. That's why the initial release of SirsiDynix Symphony will be a rock-solid platform for today and for the future.
Comprehensive functionality
SirsiDynix Symphony provides comprehensive ILS
functionality, including both basic and advanced
capabilities for Circulation, Cataloging, Serials,
Acquisitions, Outreach, Materials Booking, Reserves,
Accountability, and more. Each module is developed
separately and all seamlessly fit into the overall
integrated SirsiDynix Symphony system.
SirsiDynix Symphony features a single, integrated staff
client interface for all public and technical services
software functions. WorkFlows®, SirsiDynix Symphony's
staff interface, uses the latest Java, Windows®, user
interface, and client/server technologies to produce an
innovative and flexible approach to library information
management. SirsiDynix Symphony also offers new
Web browser-based staff client interfaces that support
most critical circulation, cataloging, and report functions.
Flexibility to integrate and adapt
SirsiDynix understands that your ILS is only one of any
number of tools used to manage your library's day-to-day
work. SirsiDynix Symphony is designed to interoperate
smoothly with other components, such as self-check
systems, automated materials handling systems, PC
reservation systems, E-commerce systems, and print
management systems. Open application programming
interface (APIs) and compliance with dozens of industry
standards significantly increase your library's opportunities
for system integration.
The evolution of the SirsiDynix Symphony solution continues to benefit libraries of every size and type the world over. The technology foundation of SirsiDynix Symphony is now used by millions of library staff and users worldwide. This growth continues as we engineer more enhancements, design and implement new and exciting features and functionality, and adopt new technologies and standards.
Unicorn
Resources
Technical Requirements
Unicorn Server – Intel computers on Windows 200X and Linux, IBM RS6000 on AIX, SUN on Solaris, Hewlett Packard on HPUX, and DEC Alpha on Digital UNIX.
WorkFlows client – Windows/XP/200X & Mac.
Also available hosted on SirsiDynix servers.
Download Unicorn Technical Overview
Installed at more library sites around the world than any other single enterprise-caliber library management system, SirsiDynix Unicorn is a powerful ILS solution that has been designed always to be current. Unicorn's flexible architecture makes it possible for the system to accommodate new technologies and to evolve as necessary to meet the growing needs of libraries and their users. As a result, the Unicorn system today, as it has been for 25 years, is an open, industry-standard, scalable ILS solution that libraries and consortia of all types and sizes can and do rely on to run their operations.
What makes Unicorn a reliable solution?
n-Tier client/server architecture. Unicorn is built on the same software architecture employed by Oracle® databases, SAP, and most of today's major commercial information systems. This architecture lends itself to supporting modular systems and ensures that Unicorn has the scalability to expand to meet the needs of all types and sizes of libraries.
View the screenshots
Industry-standard. Unicorn is built entirely on library and computer industry standards and protocols that ensure the system's ability to interoperate and support other leading technologies and systems.
Evolutionary. Unicorn's architecture makes it easy to change databases and to implement new functionality and entirely new modules and clients – all without requiring difficult and time-consuming redesign of the Unicorn server. SirsiDynix has a solid history of expanding Unicorn, without altering the technology foundation and investments our clients already have in place. That's why Unicorn is a rock-solid platform for today and for the future.
RDBMS-based. Unicorn implements industry-standard relational database management system (RDBMS) technology from Oracle, which is scalable enough to meet the database requirements of any library, no matter how large the collection or how demanding the transaction load.
Comprehensive functionality. The Unicorn system provides comprehensive ILS functionality, including both basic and advanced capabilities. Modules for Circulation, Cataloging, Serials, Acquisitions, Outreach, Materials Booking, Reserves, Accountability, and more are developed separately and all seamlessly fit into the overall integrated Unicorn system.
Integrated staff client. Unlike other library systems for which each module has its own distinct staff client, Unicorn features a single, integrated staff client interface for all Unicorn public and technical services software functions. WorkFlows®, Unicorn's staff interface, uses the latest Java, Windows®, user interface, and client/server technologies to produce an innovative and flexible approach to library information management.
Application programming interfaces. Unicorn provides application programming interface (API) access to all software modules. Working at the application server level of the system architecture, APIs enable staff to perform interactive or automated data input or output to the Unicorn database. All data elements of the integrated system can be retrieved and updated using these tools. Unicorn APIs can be used to provide statistical reporting flexibility and to establish real-time interactive interfaces between Unicorn and other systems. SirsiDynix provides documentation, training, and support especially for APIs.
Integrates with other powerful solutions. Unicorn is a powerful information infrastructure, which enables libraries to take full advantage of SirsiDynix's portal, digital archiving, and resource-sharing, and analytical solutions, as well as a host of productivity solutions for everything from PC/print management to self-check systems.
Services. When implementing Unicorn, SirsiDynix offers a full set of services to make your move to Unicorn successful. Migrating data, configuring your system, getting your staff trained, and "go-live" consulting are all included in our offerings. In addition, SirsiDynix offers a range of professional services – technology consulting, networking, bibliographic record services, and more – that can helps libraries and consortia make the most of their Unicorn investments.
