News from Talis

Citation

(2003), "News from Talis", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 37 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/prog.2003.28037dab.002

News from Talis

News from Talis

(a) Digital content for learning: Manchester Metropolitan chooses Talis inVisage

Manchester Metropolitan University has chosen the Talis inVisage digital content management system to manage its digital assets and associated metadata and disclose them worldwide over the Web.

Starting with images from the library’s book design collection, the University will use inVisage to manage the total workflow of its digital assets; from image import and the automatic production of “surrogate” images at resolutions suitable for Web delivery, to metadata creation and editing, search features and Web disclosure via a customised Web site. The collection will also be searchable, from the TalisPrism resource discovery portal, providing another access route to this collection.

University librarian, Professor Colin Harris said of the project:

We have major collections that need to be exploited better by students and researchers. Digitisation is an important way to widen and facilitate access to important teaching materials. With inVisage, Talis gives us the right tool to do the job.

A number of possible solutions were evaluated before choosing inVisage. Elaine Cooke, project manager, said:

We chose the Talis product because of its content management facilities and ability to bring together our digital images in a seamless searchable interface.

Ken Chad, sales director at Talis, added:

We are pleased to be working in partnership with the university on this important initiative. Digital content for learning is a core theme of the Talis information environment and this project builds on our previous experience with major digitisation projects. The inVisage solution is fully scalable and can be packaged to meet the needs of smaller projects such as those of local studies libraries, as well as projects of national interest such as the gathering the jewels project in Wales (www.gtj.org.uk). Talis inVisage can work in a stand-alone mode or as an integrated part of the Talis information environment.

(b) JISC project selects Talis to partner in intuitive creation of resource lists for VLEs

The Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) funded project, DELIVER, is involved in creating software tools for virtual learning environments (VLEs) and library management systems (LMS) to facilitate the creation and ease-of-use of resource lists. Partners in the project from the London School of Economics and De Montfort University evaluated several resource list management systems. Using selection criteria based on the particular requirements for each institution, and after a detailed evaluation process TalisList was chosen (www.angel.ac.uk/DELIVER/deliverables/RLM_analysis.pdf).

Lee Cox, product manager for TalisList, commented:

Once again Talis has demonstrated its long term commitment to learning support. In addition to the initial installation process we will be assisting DELIVER to create an XML schema for system independent interoperability and communication.

TalisList is already successfully established in operational use at 26 higher education institutions, which provide combined feedback into the continual development process. Talis is working with leading VLE vendors and real world integration projects with the University of Ulster and the University of Salford to deliver a truly joined up system.

(c) University of Sunderland, North Yorkshire County Council and Shetland Islands Council select Talis

Talis rounded off the financial year with a set of major new academic and public library contracts. The major investment in new technologies, products and services that make up the Talis information environment architecture has met with a resoundingly positive response from the marketplace and means that Talis enhances its market leading position in the UK and Ireland.

The University of Sunderland is replacing its Dynix library management system with the Talis information environment. The library will install the Talis library management system that is at the heart of the Talis information environment. The University will also implement the TalisPrism resource discovery portal, TalisList resource/reading list management, TDNet e-journals management and provide 24-hour access with TalisMessage automated telephone renewals.

Both North Yorkshire County Council and Shetland Islands Council are implementing the Talis information environment for their public libraries, including mobiles and the school library service. In North Yorkshire the Talis solution will replace the Genesis system whilst the Shetland Islands Council is replacing an inhouse system. The systems will begin live operations later in 2003 and will include TalisPrism and associated Talis information environment products and services.

Ken Chad, sales director at Talis, argues:

The days of stand-alone library systems are coming to an end. Users want easy and joined-up access to disparate information services and that’s exactly what the Talis information environment is about.

Talis Information Ltd is a leading library management system company in the UK and Ireland. Formed out of BLCMP in 1999, as a commercial company owned by its customers and staff, it has seen steady growth and profitability. The Talis information environment was launched in 2002 and is a new architecture that encompasses, not only an advanced library management system (Talis Alto), but also a cross-domain resource discovery portal (TalisPrism), comprehensive reading/course list management (TalisList), guided resource access (Talis Signpost), a comprehensive cataloguing database, a managed electronic data interchange (EDI) service, state-of-the-art management information and e-journal management (TDNet). Talis also provides solutions for local digital content (inVisage) and, in partnership with the combined regions, a nation-wide Web-based interlibrary loan database and an interlibrary loans client (UnityWeb).

For further information please contact: Talis Information Ltd, Birmingham Research Park, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2SQ, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 121 471 1179; Fax: +44 (0) 121 472 0298; E-mail: info@talis.com; URL: www.talis.com