For Immediate Release
April 22, 2008
Relais products go Open Source
Relais International is excited to announce that we will be moving all or part of the Relais software to an open source model.
Why are we doing this?
Open source software has been a buzzword in the library community for several years now. There’s no doubt: open source is exciting. But many still don’t understand why.
Reliability
Open source software is peer-reviewed. It is exposed to extreme scrutiny, with problems being found and fixed instead of kept secret until the wrong person discovers them. This peer-review process results in a code base that’s more reliable than closed proprietary software. Mature open source software is as bulletproof as software ever gets.
Security
With proprietary software, source code is “closed,” and support and future development of the product rely on the success and resources of a single vendor.
In contrast, open source solutions rely on stable code bases developed and supported by many providers worldwide. As a result, libraries using open source products typically have more support options than those using proprietary software.
User Driven
Proprietary software vendors must focus on providing functionality improvements that meet the needs of the majority of their customers in a large and diverse market.
In contrast, open source software features emerge from the community of users that have paid for or developed and contributed them. This makes open source software user-driven--you decide what features are important and deserve attention rather than a vendor.
Innovation
When the code is open, users are free to innovate and improve the software to meet their needs. They can accomplish this either by joining the development process directly, or by using companies such as Relais International to develop their ideas. Free innovation also means that open source software has much faster development cycles when compared to proprietary
What are the implications for our customers?
Relais International will review all existing contracts and agreements, we will then provide customers with options for converting to a service agreement that incorporates support, maintenance and custom development.
Our aim is to make this transition with minimal impact to our existing customers with the exception of providing more options and flexibility for those customers who are interested in adding to and modifying Relais as you work to address the needs of your user community.
When will this happen?
The first modules to be moved to an open source model will be available before October 1, 2008.
There are a number of key decisions to be made as this process moves forward, including the selection of an appropriate license under which the Relais software (or part of the Relais software) will be available. We will keep all customers informed of our progress and invite your comments and suggestions.
“We are fully dedicated to Relais, the company and the product” says Clare MacKeigan, Chief Operating Officer of Relais International. “Our customers are the basis for our success to date and we want this to continue. We anticipate that this decision will result in an even stronger more vibrant user community. Each of our customers brings a unique perspective to the table, and by giving more options to capitalize on this we know that all of our customers will benefit.”
Please follow our web site and blog for more news as this process unfolds.
In the meantime if you have any questions, comments, suggestions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Reports Feedback
Hello all,
We are looking at revamping our Relais ILL reports now that we have a new feature available with Crystal Reports. We would like your feedback.
We would like to make as many things as flexible as possible so that the reports will apply to as many customers as possible.
For example, the current reports only work with the default Relais ILL package, so if you add or modify Request Types or Exception Codes, the reports would no longer be valid for you.
The new features allow us to show only your Request Types (regardless of the Relais ILL defaults) and allow you to choose which Request Types you would like to select for your report – the Request Type(s) you select will determine whether it is a report for Borrowing or Lending activity. For example, if you select PAT for patron, then it would be a borrowing report. If you select REG & URG, it would be a lending report. If you select all Request Types, then the report would show both lending and borrowing statistics – all up to you. Again, if you use non-standard Request Types, these reports would pick those up and show you only those.
In addition, we can amalgamate several reports into one. For example, rather than having Statistics by Patron Type, Department, ID, Statistical Category, Library Symbol, Library Type, etc, we can combine these into one and you could select whether to view the report using any of these options listed. This brings about 8 reports into 1.
These are just some examples, but in general, do you prefer to have one multi-purpose report or many distinct reports?
Do you prefer to be able to select your own Request Types?
From our perspective, it seems that the greater flexibility would benefit you and it makes maintenance much easier.
Please contact me by the end of this week (April 25) if you have any questions or comments.
Thank you,
__________________________________________
Elena Guadagno, MLIS
Phone: 613-226-5571 x30 Toll Free (NA): 888-294-5244 x30
Fax: (613) 226-0998
mailto:elenag@relais-intl.com
http://www.blogger.com/www.relais-intl.com
We are looking at revamping our Relais ILL reports now that we have a new feature available with Crystal Reports. We would like your feedback.
We would like to make as many things as flexible as possible so that the reports will apply to as many customers as possible.
For example, the current reports only work with the default Relais ILL package, so if you add or modify Request Types or Exception Codes, the reports would no longer be valid for you.
The new features allow us to show only your Request Types (regardless of the Relais ILL defaults) and allow you to choose which Request Types you would like to select for your report – the Request Type(s) you select will determine whether it is a report for Borrowing or Lending activity. For example, if you select PAT for patron, then it would be a borrowing report. If you select REG & URG, it would be a lending report. If you select all Request Types, then the report would show both lending and borrowing statistics – all up to you. Again, if you use non-standard Request Types, these reports would pick those up and show you only those.
In addition, we can amalgamate several reports into one. For example, rather than having Statistics by Patron Type, Department, ID, Statistical Category, Library Symbol, Library Type, etc, we can combine these into one and you could select whether to view the report using any of these options listed. This brings about 8 reports into 1.
These are just some examples, but in general, do you prefer to have one multi-purpose report or many distinct reports?
Do you prefer to be able to select your own Request Types?
From our perspective, it seems that the greater flexibility would benefit you and it makes maintenance much easier.
Please contact me by the end of this week (April 25) if you have any questions or comments.
Thank you,
__________________________________________
Elena Guadagno, MLIS
Phone: 613-226-5571 x30 Toll Free (NA): 888-294-5244 x30
Fax: (613) 226-0998
mailto:elenag@relais-intl.com
http://www.blogger.com/www.relais-intl.com
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