User:Sjritchie/Softlink


 * This article is about Softlink, the Developers of the Oliver and Liberty Integrated Library Systems. For other meanings of Softlink, see Softlink (disambiguation).

File:Softlink-logo.gif‎

Softlink is a global company that develops Library Management Systems for libraries. Softlink is based in Brisbane, Australia, and has nearly 30 offices in their worldwide network. Softlink's systems are present in over 10,000 libraries across 108 countries. Their products are present in most library sectors around the world including Schools (K-12), Law Libraries, Special Libraries, Public Libraries, Medical Libraries and Theological Libraries. They have central offices in Australia, United Kingdom, United States, and New Zealand, as well as agencies and distribution networks worldwide.

History
Softlink was established in Sydney in 1983, before moving to Brisbane, QLD where the office remains today. In 1985 Softlink released their first Library Software product, Alarm (Automated Library And Resource Manager). 1988 saw the development of the next software release, Oasis and in 1992 international expansion was the focus with penetration into the UK marketplace. Following years saw the releases of Alice, Oliver (Current), and Liberty (Current) Software systems.

Acquisition of New Solutions Ltd in New Zealand in 2002. Acquisition of UK Distributor (2008)

Worldwide offices include Softlink Australia (Brisbane), Softlink Europe (Oxford, UK), Softlink Asia (India, Hong Kong), Softlink America (Seattle).

In 2010, Softlink contributed to a national Inquiry in Australia into Teacher Librarians and Libraries in Schools by surveying Australian schools and producing a report to present to the Australian government in support of School Libraries.

ALARM
Released in 1985 - Softlink's first Library Management Solution. "Automated Library And Resource Manager"

Oasis
Developed in 1988

Alice
Released in 1997, superseding Oasis.

Oliver
Launched in 2003. Oliver V3 (Currently Supported) Offers a web based experience, running on the Concordance database.

Oliver V4 (Current Product) was essentially rebuilt to run on the MSSQL database & offers a web-based library and information management solution used at thousands of schools and consortia across Australia, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom & Europe, throughout Asia, and throughout the Middle East & Africa. The library management software is built for the school environment, delivering secure, web based access to all information and learning resources. Oliver is installed in primary, secondary and K-12 schools of all sizes, worldwide.

Oliver V5 Due for September Release

Liberty
Liberty (Current Product) is an intuitive web-based information management solution designed for organisations worldwide. Liberty is used worldwide by Special (Health, Law, Corporate, Engineering), Public (Individual & Consortia), Government, University and Academic (Universities, Colleges, TAFE, Polytechnics) to securely manage, access and share information resources.

Features
Softlink's products cover the features expected in a good ILS (MLS), including:


 * Simple, clear interface for librarians and members (patrons)
 * Locally installed, managed or hosted (SaaS/ASP)
 * Runs entirely in a web browser (HTML delivery), client install only required for optional features (Receipt Printing, EM Security Gates and Offline Circulation Desk)
 * Customizable search (including predictive searching)
 * Comprehensive circulation and borrower management
 * Integrated Z-Cataloging module (3rd party reference), using the Z39.50 protocol.
 * Acquisitions system including budgets and pricing information
 * Ability to cope with branches, patrons, patron categories, item categories, items, currencies and other data
 * Fully customisable lending rules matrix for defining the library lending rules
 * Serials system for magazines or newspapers (Including management of complex serials), and single click check-in procedure
 * Reading lists for members
 * Comprehensive APIs enabling complete integration with other systems (VLE, LMS, HR, Financial, Admin, intranet portals, etc)
 * Support for international records and cataloging standards (MARC). See MARC_standards
 * Standards-based (MARC, XML, SQL)
 * Visual Picture based search for children (Olly!)
 * Single Sign On functionality
 * Federated Search
 * Infonet

Technological advances
Softlink has partnered with 3M to provide radio-frequency identification and Self Check out systems for libraries. They also partner with other technical providers to provide fingerprint checking out facilities.

Oliver
Version 5 Build 3 is the latest Release.

Liberty
Version 5 Build 3 is the latest Release.