HORIZON OVERVIEW. submitted by

Transcription

1 HORIZON OVERVIEW submitted by

2 Dynix Corporation 400 W Dynix Drive Provo, UT Copyright 2004 Dynix Corporation. All Right Reserved. The contents of this document are unpublished, proprietary and confidential and may not be copied, disclosed, or used, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of Dynix Corporation. except to the extent required by law and insofar as is reasonably necessary in order to review and evaluate the information contained herein.

3 Table of Contents Horizon--Overview...1 Horizon Information Portal...2 Horizon Staff Searching...15 Horizon Circulation...18 Horizon Closed Stack Access...22 Horizon Home Service...23 Horizon Telephone Messaging...24 Horizon Reserve Bookroom...25 Horizon Media Scheduling...28 Horizon Cataloging...29 Horizon Serials...32 Horizon Acquisitions...35 Horizon Customization...40 Horizon Reports...43 Horizon System Architecture...47 We Want to Earn Your Business...53

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5 Horizon--Overview Solid leadership and superior design principles have positioned Dynix to serve libraries today and well into the future. Whether you are a small public library, a large academic library, a consortium, or somewhere in between Dynix has a solution to meet your needs and your budget. Horizon is the most technologically advanced library system available today. Built expressly for distributed processing in a client/server environment, Horizon provides all of the necessary features and functions for internal library operations and the connectivity and ease of use necessary for expanded access demanded by users today. Presented here are the main highlights of the Horizon system. With over 1,100 sites installed worldwide since 1991, Horizon has already proven its reliability and effectiveness in the library marketplace. Horizon offers you the assurance of a solid product based on open systems, an SQL compliant relational database, and multi tier client/server technology. With the largest customer base in the world using our various systems and services, Dynix is committed to libraries for the long term. Dynix will be here for you not only for your current project but also for the next stage in library automation. We are continually enhancing our products and service offerings with the input of our client base (through the Users Groups), and we look forward to working with you to achieve your library automation goals today, and in the future. 1

6 Horizon Information Portal Do you want to make your collection available for searching from anywhere in the world? The Horizon Information Portal offers powerful searching combined with patron authentication. The Horizon Information Portal provides extensive customization capabilities. The following screens illustrate some examples of the various components that can be tailored to meet each library s unique needs. The Horizon Information Portal is a seamless way to provide one search interface for everyone, whether they are searching from inside the library, from home, from the office, or from halfway around the world. Some of the benefits of the Information Portal include: Access to your libraryʹs on line catalog from the World Wide Web Consistent, graphical searching interface across multiple databases (through Z39.50 sources and the Internet) Powerful sorting and filtering capabilities Proximity and adjacency searching Advanced Boolean and cross index searching Relevancy ranking of search results Creation of personal bibliographies for e mailing, downloading, printing Seamless integration with e book content Streamlines multiple database access with broadcast search functionality Stands alone as a website, or can be incorporated into your existing website Checks your local catalog for holdings of a remote title with a simple click Remote Patron Authentication (RPA) option for requests to various services and commercially licensed databases Integrates with interlibrary loan request software (URSA) Full screen bibliographic and holdings displays Enriched content option retrieves cover art, book reviews, summaries, table of contents Capability to pre formulate searches (with limits and sorts) and store them as HTML links, executable from any of the library s web pages Format indicators on search results pages (icons for books, cassettes, audiobooks, CDs, etc.) Z39.50 & Bath Profile support (functional areas A, B, & C) Displays number of requests on an item on the search results screen Easily handles multiple locations; patrons can select their own location from one point in the interface. Advanced Booking integration De duplication of search results from multiple sources Support for Open URL Support for User Self Registration Support for ADA and other accessibility requirements Statistical reports on searching 2

7 Like all pages in the Information Portal, the opening page is librarydefinable. Here we see examples of how a public library might design this page, and how an academic library may. Note the different choices along the tabs at the top. Your sales consultant will have more examples of live customer sites to share. 3

8 Many libraries set up browse search pages like you see here. You may also wish to create a separate search page for the library s media collections. 4

9 The system also accommodates numerical search indexes. Many public libraries like to set up a Find a Good Book page such as seen here. You can also incorporate Bestsellers and Award Winners lists. 5

10 The Advanced Search window provides Boolean search capability, proximity searching, phrase searching, and search limiting and sorting. Users can also choose to search other resources simultaneously (in this example, University of Toronto or a library s digital collection). 6

11 Some libraries prefer to have their licensed databases searchable from different page. You can do this, or you can combine the licensed database searches with your online catalog. The Information Portal offers the ability to present search results in a clear fashion. Users can add items to their marked list (called My List ) from this screen, or click a title to see detailed bibliographic and holdings information. 7

12 Detailed Search results offers the ability to link to other works. The Information Portal gives your patrons powerful searching tools, such as the ability to sort and limit search results. 8

13 Patrons can create a list that can be printed, ed, or saved in a comma-delimited format for importing into bibliographic tools such as Procite. Horizon Information Portal also supports user self-registration. Users that self-register will be assigned a temporary patron type giving limited privileges (based on library policy) until your staff can verify the information the patron has entered. 9

14 Horizon Enhanced Content offers content such as cover art and book reviews. This client site has listed the Summary and Review on the left navigation bar on the detail page of each title. Holdings availability is listed by location on the detail page. 10

15 Multimedia formats can be linked to individual bibliographic records and accessed through the Information Portal. Some of these possible media formats include: You can link just about anything to a bibliographic record via the 856 tag in the MARC record, including full text files, images, sounds, video clips, database files, etc. The user will see a message such as ʺClick here to display imageʺ in the full record display, depending on what has been cataloged in the 856 tag. Clicking on the hypertext link launches an appropriate helper application, which in turn displays whatever file has been linked to the record. clips from videotape music clips a full-text music score an image of a composer, author, or artist 11

16 After the patron clicks on the thumbnail of the image that is cataloged in the MARC record the associated full image displays. The Information Portal also searches digital objects (images, PDF files, etc.) created and maintained using our Horizon Digital Library product. The system searches the image itself (in the case of a newspaper clipping or other image) and the metadata of each object for the search term. 12

17 The Information Portal is available in many other languages, including Spanish. Information Portal Administration gives your library the ability to customize nearly everything about the Information Portal, including the interface and the available search options, using an easy-to-navigate administration interface. 13

18 Information Portal Administration tools give you the ability to track usage statistics for indexes and patrons and provide detailed reports. Most clients customize the look and feel of the Information Portal to some extent. Dynix has created an interface to enable you to do so with little or no prior web-programming training. This section of the Administration tool enables you to edit displays, add libraries, and change other parameters such as languages. 14

19 Horizon Staff Searching Staff Searching offers powerful searching capability combined with ease of use and a Windows environment to which staff are accustomed. Staff Searching serves as the primary interactive link between the staff members and your library collections. It consists of a set of user oriented query functions for search and retrieval of records contained in the bibliographic database. Staff Searching interacts with the authority records and interfaces with multiple library subsystems, such as circulation (e.g., providing status and location information), serials (e.g., providing detailed records of holdings and bindery information), cataloging (e.g., providing in process information). It also provides connections between the system, local and wide area networks, and other computer systems via Z Some Staff Searching features include: Customized search menus for specific audiences Keyword searches (including Boolean operations) Search limiting Browsable lists of titles, authors, call numbers, etc. Cross references and related works Clear, concise help screens Diacritics Keyword browse in Unicode (with Windows 2000/XP) Hold requests Dynamic links between reference databases and library holdings Z39.50 access to any compliant server, via the network Sorting of search results Bookmarking Saving, printing, e mailing of search results Sample search index screen (staff interface). 15

20 The Send To feature enables you to search for records and then send that record straight to technical processing, such as an open Purchase Order, Serials Control, Circulation, or Cataloging Bibliographic Record Display There are generally three levels of bibliographic record display in Staff Searching Results. 1) Bibliographic List Window This window displays all the records that the search string retrieved. Only the minimum elements of these records are displayed, such as title, author, and call number. 16

21 2) Bibliographic Detail Screen Selecting one record from the list will display the full bibliographic record, which includes all the detail the library wishes to display. 3) Copies Window Clicking the "Show Copies" button will retrieve item-level information on availability, location, etc. 17

22 Horizon Circulation Horizon Circulation has quick checkin and checkout functions, featuring on-the-fly item cataloging and patron registration, in-house use tracking, and sophisticated parameter configuration. Of all the staff services in any library, Circulation has the most impact on patron satisfaction. Functions in circulation happen generally as face to face interactions between library patrons and staff. For a positive interaction, the circulation module must perform its checkout task quickly and it must provide ready access to specific information about patron accounts. The Horizon circulation module quickly and efficiently performs these tasks, increasing patron satisfaction while accurately managing circulation policies and tracking materials. Horizon circulation functions include: Full support of coded identifiers, including barcodes and magnetic stripes. Quick and efficient two step checkout: (1) scan borrower barcode (2) scan item barcode. The borrower barcode is scanned only once, even when checking out multiple items. Quick and efficient one step checkin: (1) scan item barcode. Damaged checkin mode to allow staff to keep track of received, damaged material without triggering hold fulfillment Management of queues for items held (patron requesting to be next borrower) and recalled (patron requesting to be next borrower with accelerated due date), including automatic alert to place the item on hold during checkin. Requests are automatically filled with a newly available item at the pickup location, even if another item is in transit to fill the request. Automatic in transit management, allowing libraries to accept checkins for other locations. Ability to edit item records to add barcodes or special notes regarding materials condition. Ability to add item and patron records on the fly. Online ability to add and edit patron records directly from the circulation desktop. Online ability to accept payments, waive fines, and place blocks on patron records. Sophisticated three dimensional circulation privileges matrices based upon location, item type, and patron types. Full security features, allowing the library to differentiate privileges for circulation clerks, supervisors, and professional staff. Self serve circulation module where library patrons are able to circulate materials to themselves. Horizon Offline circulation module where library staff members are able to circulate materials locally, even when the main server is unavailable. Automatically generated Day End statistics with report printing from any workstation. Direct SQL querying for reports using a third party report generator such 18

23 as ReportSmith. Compliance with the 3M SIP 2.0 protocol. Interface to DebtCollect, enabling libraries to send long overdue account information to collection agencies. The ability to change the pickup location after a Hold request has been placed. An Expired/Cancelled Holds report. The ability to suspend a hold request for a temporary period of time (for example, if a patron goes on vacation and wishes to suspend her request during that time). Floating collection management. Homebound and Bookmobile functionality. Use statistics on both bibliographic record level and item record level, reportable by library defined time period Ability to validate borrowers by viewing address or phone number on the borrower search screen Quick renewals from the checkin screen (using a Renewal checkin mode) Consortia support for holds functionality through the Cluster Holds feature. This brings you the ability to group locations to fill holds and to prioritize the hold filling for pickup at the item s home location. Horizon allows you to group by item location, requesting location, or by borrower s location, as well as by circulating location, item type, or borrower type. This provides great hold filling flexibility, enabling you to supply borrowers with materials faster, requiring less staff intervention. Closed Stack Access. For those libraries requiring closed stack processing, Horizon allows borrowers to request materials from closed stacks though the Information Portal. The request is sent to a printer in the closed stack processing area, which enables a staff member to retrieve the item and deliver it to the specified pick up location. This feature also allows users to view the pick up location and the status of their request in real time through the Information Portal. Automated book drop support through the SIP2 protocol. This interface interacts with Horizon and identifies proper shelving bin destinations, based on collection, transit status, or hold fill requirements. The ability to use significant digits when entering an item or patron barcode manually Borrower card expiration by birth date Intra library loan statistics Advanced Booking integration with Horizon Information Portal 19

24 Checkout takes two steps: wand the patron s barcode, then wand all items you wish to check out to the patron. Patron blocks pop up automatically when the patron s barcode is entered in the system. Checkin is a rapid process. The system alerts the operator if there is a hold on a particular item or if the item needs to be sent to Cataloging, etc. 20

25 Patron registration is easy; you can configure as many location and borrower types (BTypes) as you need. Circulation privileges are based both on item type and borrower type. This is Screen 1 of 3 successive registration screens. If you need an additional field not normally included in patron records, it can be easily added using Horizon s Table Editor. This is page 2 of the New Borrower registration function. 21

26 Horizon Closed Stack Access Protect your rare or valuable holdings with Horizon Closed Stack Access. Horizon Closed Stack Access allows patrons access to items that are not in the open stack area. Closed Stacks typically contain items that cannot be circulated but can to be requested via the Horizon Information Portal. The patrons request the item through the Information Portal; their request is sent to a printer, where a page can then retrieve the item(s) for the patron. The item is then delivered to the patron or a pickup area to be checked out. Benefits of Closed Stack Access include: The ability to determine if an item is in an Closed Stack Collection The ability to determine different rules that are associated with the Closed Stack. This will allow requests to be made on items that are in house. Interface with the Horizon Information Portal so that patrons can make a Closed Stack request from the Information Portal. The Information Portal will display a pickup location and the time that the requested item can be picked up. This can be viewed in the My Account section of the Information Portal. Requests are routed to a specified printer. A library staff member can complete or cancel the Closed Stack request. A completed request is sent to the pickup location and the status is updated in the My Account section of the Information Portal. 22

27 Horizon Home Service Horizon Home Service lets you extend library services to borrowers who are hospitalized, ill, or otherwise unable to visit the library. To use Home Service, you set up Home Service advisors, routes, and delivery types. You also assign borrowers to Home Service borrower types and complete the Home Service fields on their borrower records. You can then circulate items to Home Service borrowers as usual, with additional options to print issue slips and enter a borrower s ratings for the items received. You can also print several Home Service reports, such as a list of the borrowers due for a visit, or a report of borrowers on a certain route. Home Services information can be added to each borrower record. You can create Home Service borrower routes for printing and distribution. 23

28 Horizon Telephone Messaging Reduce postage costs and increase your service level to borrowers by delivering notices by phone. Telephone Messaging also enables borrower to call in and renew items as well as check the status of their holds. Horizon Telephone Messaging is a sophisticated, interactive automation system that offers library users the ability to retrieve and update their circulation information using a touch tone telephone. Using advanced telephone and speech technologies, Telephone Messaging not only significantly reduces your postage costs but also improves patron service. It also saves staff time because library users can transact their own circulation inquiries. Telephone Messaging can also deliver library user notices automatically via phone. General Features Technology updated network connection to host running Windows 2000 on client server Dynamic allocation of phone lines maintained between dial in and dialout usage Line capacity provides up to 24 lines on a T1 connection (basic system provides support for two through eight lines) Number of calls handled per line varies depending on call length, interaction by library user, notification success rate, etc. Connects to international users with support for multiple languages and international phone systems. (Contact your sales consultant for details.) Versatile report writer for creating reports from captured call statistics. Set up of system privacy determined by the library user to require a Personal Identification Number (PIN) Ability to exclude by patron type from receiving calls and/or from calling in 24

29 Horizon Reserve Book Room Reserve Bookroom offers a seamless way to integrate reserve room functions with Circulation. Many libraries place a portion of the collection on reserve, either for frequently used materials or in connection with specific courses or departments. These materials frequently circulate for shorter time periods than materials in the general collection. In addition, materials placed on reserve for courses need to be searchable from the PAC by course numbers, course titles, and course instructors. Finally, many of the materials placed on reserve may not be part of the library s collection, either because they are photocopied excerpts or materials owned by the course instructor. The Horizon Reserve Book Room module is designed to address these concerns. The features of Horizon Reserve Book Room include: Ability to place an item on reserve for more than one course. Ability to associate an instructor with multiple courses. Ability to associate a course with multiple instructors. Separately tracked reserve statistics. Ability to archive and re activate reserve records, both manually and with automatic reminders. Maintenance of permanent item information in archive while material is on reserve. PAC search by course instructor, course title, and course number. Automated workflows for flagging for reserve, placing on reserve, and withdrawing from reserve. Shorter loan periods; any loan period that you can define in days, hours, or minutes is supported. Reserve Book Room works in conjunction with both the PAC and Circulation modules to designate titles with reserve status and to allow for special circulation parameters. However, the Reserve Book Room module also enables you to hook information to records that would not normally be part of the regular bibliographic record. Libraries can customize loan periods for reserve materials by hour or by day. 25

30 Courses are quickly added to the reserve list by clicking the New button. Courses are also linked directly to the instructors. Edit Reserve Course Window adding a new course. 26

31 The instructor database is quickly edited. New instructors are added by clicking the New button. You can display the titles on reserve for each instructor by highlighting the instructor and clicking the Titles button. Titles can be linked to an instructor by searching PAC and then sending the title to Reserve a 2- click process. 27

32 Horizon Media Scheduling Horizon Media Scheduling is an optional module of the Horizon system that enables a library to set up a separate collection and circulation process for media related items so they can be scheduled for future use. Audiovisual materials, media equipment, computer terminals, and conference rooms can be scheduled and searched by library staff. The Media Scheduling component combines searching and scheduling aspects, providing a single workspace in which to calendar and check conflicts. Media Scheduling offers popup calendars to simplify date selection, and allows session defaults that speed order entry. After you have selected both the borrower name and the item to be reserved, you enter the dates and times when the borrower wants to reserve the item, as well as specific delivery and return locations. When you set up a reservation, Horizon lets you know if it conflicts with an existing reservation. If there are conflicts between reservations, you can edit one or both of the reservations, or if necessary, delete one of the reservations. Media Scheduling also has an e mail confirmation capability that allows you to send e mail messages to borrowers to confirm the schedule for the media items they have reserved. 28

33 Horizon Cataloging Full screen editing and familiar navigation techniques make Horizon Cataloging intuitive and efficient to use. Horizon offers both MARC and non-marc workforms, giving novice catalogers a quick way to key records into the database. The most important and valuable component in library automation is the database. In Horizon, the bibliographic database is the central focus for each individual module. All modules will search and update data from independent clients that access the database through a network. All data resides on a single database; the Cataloging module is where librarians maintain that database by creating, importing, and exporting records. The Horizon Cataloging module is designed to give your staff the greatest amount of control over your data with the greatest amount of flexibility offered in client/server systems today. Horizon provides efficient cataloging operations with very strong support for your bibliographic database. Some of the major functions and features of the Horizon Cataloging module are: A powerful full screen editor for maintaining a bibliographic database. Editing features that are simple and logical to use. Spell check functionality. Definable workforms for quick cataloging. Records for all types of media for which there is a defined MARC format. Unicode compliance for foreign language materials. The option to print spine and pocket labels. The ability for each library to define the indexes by which librarians access records. Context sensitive help, including MARC help. Local fields support. URL checking on the fly from data entry screen. The ability to redefine MARC tags as needed or catalog in non MARC if desired. Support for conditional authority headings (you can choose whether the text you enter in an authority controlled tag becomes an authority record or is simply kept as uncontrolled text). You can choose to link this text as an authority record later or to never link it. Record ownership designation on both bibliographic and authority records. Z39.50 Cataloging, enabling you to search remote and local Z39.50 databases and then send records directly to Cataloging to be modified and then saved to your Horizon database. Keyword browse in Unicode. When you use Staff Searching to find a bibliographic record using keyword browse, Horizon properly sorts and sequences the international characters in the list based on the index you choose (for example, if you choose the Cyrillic index, Horizon sorts the entries according to Russian sorting rules). 29

34 Word processor like editing tools, such as dockable toolbars, dropdown lists of valid codes, etc. MARC Syntax and validation feature to monitor the data in the displayed MARC record and displays incorrect and improper values. Record by record control of who has access to edit or delete the record. Item Group Editor and Batch Item Delete functions which facilitate editing and deleting item records in batches Exporting spine label data to a file. To accommodate these tasks, Cataloging provides four main functions: Bibliographic record maintenance MARC editing Item maintenance Authority control The bibliographic record window enables you to create and modify bibliographic records. Simply put the cursor where you want to edit a field, make your changes, and click Save. Records are updated in the database in real time changes you make are immediately reflected in the OPAC. Add tags and subfields by choosing the appropriate menu bar commands (from a dropdown list) or by pressing Alt+T or Alt+S, respectively. View the list of attached items by clicking the Items button. Search for and attach authorities automatically by inserting any authority-controlled tag in a bibliographic record. 30

35 Click the Items button on any bibliographic record and you can add, edit, or delete item (holdings) records. You can also copy existing item records to create new ones, eliminating the need for redundant data entry. Horizon enables you to batch create item records by designating the number of records you wish to create and the range of barcode numbers you wish to be assigned to those records. Authority records are modified in a similar fashion to bibliographic records. Authorities are systemgenerated upon record import/creation, or you can attach existing authorities to bibliographic records by using the Attach Auth to Bib command. Cataloging staff can choose if the text they insert (e.g., in a 650 tag) becomes a system-generated authority record under authority control, or is simply kept as uncontrolled text. 31

36 Horizon Serials The Horizon Serials module helps you become more efficient through powerful prediction and claiming procedures. Serials maintenance has advanced greatly as technology has grown to accommodate the specific demands of experienced serials librarians. With increased patron demands for current information, serials receipts must be current and accurate. Horizon efficiently automates serials processing. With an extremely flexible chronology and enumeration prediction facility, serials maintenance becomes a by product of a quick, two step checkin process. Special handling, routing, label printing, and other instructions are integrated into the checkin workflow. Serials includes the following features: Easy to use menus for checkin and serials control. Sophisticated setup of publication patterns, from the simplest to the most complex. Update of the PAC summary of holdings upon checkin of an issue. Checkin Notes and workslips to provide for special handling procedures. Ability to predict intervals for binding readiness. Powerful serials prediction capability. Automatic claiming based on predicted checkin dates. Editing of Summary Holdings directly from Serials Checkin screen. Serials Bindery tracking. Reverse Chronology display for issues. Facilitates the display of Summary of Holdings in Horizon Information Portal. 32

37 The serials control record is the core of the serials module. Here are the data entry screens for serials control. If you wanted to indicate a new vendor for a subscription you would click the Next Vendor button and then indicate the new vendor and the start date for that vendor. Claiming parameters are also indicated on each serial copy record. Copies that are only viewable by staff can be indicated by checking the Staff-Only Copy check box. If you wanted to suppress display of the next expected issue in PAC, you would check the Hide Next Expected Issue check box. 33

38 Serials checkin is quick, making use of the prediction feature. You can even wand SISAC barcodes to check issues in. Horizon s serials prediction function is unmatched by any system in the industry. Using Horizon you will be able to create prediction patterns for just about every serial publication pattern. Here is where you begin to enter prediction pattern information. 34

39 Horizon Acquisitions Acquisitions includes online ordering and budget maintenance. Horizon Acquisitions is designed to help library staff manage the processes involved with collection development, freeing them from repetitive data entry tasks by linking related acquisitions data together. Acquisitions has been designed to accommodate the acquisition of all types of items, and to interact dynamically with the Serials module. Horizon Acquisitions includes: purchase request (desiderata) file creation purchase order creation search and retrieval by any data element in the purchase order online vendor information maintenance purchase order status tracking, including orders back ordered, canceled, out of print, or re ordered from a different vendor automatic claiming based upon library specified intervals automatic receipt tracking automatic vouchering and invoicing automatic fund account balance tracking budget summary reports budget hierarchy management automatic statement generation distribution of orders to different library collections distribution of order and item payment from multiple fund accounts separate technical services databases that allow consortium members to retain separation of acquisitions related data while still participating in central production database for cataloging, circulation, and other functions online ordering and claiming via the EdiFact or BISAC standards Enhanced EdiFact support, to support the ability to embed item information in Purchase Orders EdiFact Order acknowledgement and order processing messages support budget fiscal year allocation rollover capability approval process for purchase orders approval process for statements Acquisitions workslip printing, either at the time of receipt or at any time during the order process Session defaults for ordering Session defaults for item distribution Vendor discount support, so that discount percentages automatically apply Ability to designate a vendor as a primary or secondary vendor, enabling you to limit vendor searches to your primary list or secondary list. Electronic ordering enhancements for consortia 35

40 Ability to download MARC records from web book vendors (such as Baker and Taylor s TitleSource II) with order information included. In addition to this, Horizon gives you the ability to determine the MARC tags and subfields that you want to use through a mapping utility. This expands the integration capability beyond TitleSource II, enabling you to download order information from any web vendor. The Horizon Acquisitions module also aids in collection development by allowing Library staff to track: purchase requests actual purchases, complete with the following information: o requester o collection for which material was purchased o budget(s) that will pay for the materials o vendor from whom material was requested o material order status invoice and vouchering information fund account tracking vendor data, including performance statistics The PO Header is where information pertaining to all line items (such as vendor, currency, and PO number) is entered. 36

41 The PO Line Item data entry screen is where item-specific information is entered. This information can be copied directly from an OPAC search, eliminating redundant data entry. Horizon Acquisitions enables you to create a purchase request list, get appropriate approvals, and then use that list to create line items on a purchase order. 37

42 Vendor maintenance is easy using these data entry screens. Fields can be added and modified to suit your library s needs. The Budget Report gives you an up-to-the-second report on your budgets. This report can be sorted and rearranged as necessary. 38

43 The Budget Hierarchy Management feature helps you get a bird s eye view of all budgeting statistics. Horizon can accommodate an unlimited number of budgets and nested budgets. Right-clicking on any item in the hierarchy will display a thumbnail view of any hierarchy, group, or individual budget. 39

44 Horizon Customization While you can use Horizon as it is, right out of the box, many clients prefer to customize the system to some extent. There are nearly 200 Horizon tables that are available for editing and customization. What sets Horizon apart from its competitors? Unlimited flexibility. Horizon enables library staff to change a label, a screen view, a list view, indexing options, menu options, etc., all without programming or SQL expertise (although we are here to help if you need us!). System administration and customization functions are accomplished through the Horizon Table Editor. The Table Editor contains a set of tools for listing, selecting, and editing rows from one or more database tables. These tools give you powerful database management without needing to learn the Structured Query Language (SQL). The Table Editor gives you power and flexibility in a graphical user interface. Tools available in the Table Editor include: Code Lookup Window lists and provides access to all tables. List Window lists table rows or records you can work with. Edit Window allows you to edit or view the column data in a row (record). List Search Window limits a list to a specified value stored in a table column. The Block Types table allows you to edit and create block types. 40

45 Another common table is the Bib Tag Definition table, where authorized users can redefine MARC tags. 41

46 The Security menu is used to create and edit passkeys, which provide users the ability to access specific modules, menu options, and program features based on their user login. 42

47 Horizon Reports Horizon has hundreds of canned reports. Some of the daily statistical reports available include: Checkouts: 1 st time, phone renewal, renewal Checkins: Normal, Late Requests Placed: Placed Requests Resolved: Cancelled, Picked up, Expired Holds Resolved: Picked up, Cancelled, Expired Overdues: 1 st Notice, 2 nd Notice, 3 rd Notice.Final Notice Change in Borrowers: New-Manual, Deleted- Manual, New-Batch, Deleted-Batch Change in Bib. Records: New-Manual, Deleted- Manual, New-Batch, Deleted-Batch Change in Auth. Records: New-Manual, Deleted- Manual, New-Batch, Deleted-Batch Change in Item Records: New-Manual, Deleted- Manual, New-Batch, Deleted-Batch Acquisitions Activities: Titles ( Lines ) Ordered, Items Ordered, Titles ( Lines ) Received, Items Received, Claims Moneys Levied: Fines, Lost Book, Damaged, Fees Moneys Collected: Fines, Lost Book, Damaged, Fees Moneys Waived: Fines, Lost Book, Damaged, Fees Horizon is built for reports. Horizon allows online report generation with the ability to: View report information online Print reports to an attached or networked printer Download reports to a file. You have the benefit of generating reports through three different means: 1. Built in report features in the Horizon application. 2. SQL report generation. 3. Horizon Web Reporter 1. Built in Report Features Horizon significantly aids the library with its built in report features which include the following: Automatic, system generated reports to keep up to date. Automatic report features include both Data Load Error Logs and Day End Processing Activities. Data Load Error Logs are compiled for data such as patron files and MARC import. Day End Processing (DEP) is an after hours process that compiles statistics and updates records that are linked to timesensitive data. When DEP runs, it uses the information entered during that day to update statistics, prepare notices, flag overdue titles, generate claims, and complete its other functions. If it is determined that these statistics and notices do not need to be updated or processed for each day, DEP does not have to be run every day. Ad hoc report generator for convenience. The convenience of ad hoc reports is one of the reasons we chose to build Horizon to accommodate such features. It allows the library to run their statistical reports associated with Day End at any time and to print or download these results. Horizon s statistical report generator produces a variety of management reports based upon statistics automatically stored by the system. These reports are configurable monthly and daily by the library in terms of their frequency and comparative time periods. Report options in the functional modules. Many reports are canned within Horizon and are produced simply by executing menu options within Horizon programs. Because Circulation statistics have proven to be especially useful to most libraries, Horizon includes a separate submodule for running these reports. Below is a sampling of the kinds of management reports available through the Circulation module: Bib Adds/Deletes 43

48 Borrower Adds/Deletes Check In Transaction Totals Check Out Transaction Totals Other management reports might include titles to review for claiming, vendor performance statistics, and reserve pick lists. 2. SQL report generation You can expand your reporting options due to SQL compliance. These options include: You can use any SQL tool to create any report you need. Manipulate data in a wide variety of ways. Reduce your technical support requirements. Broad acceptance of the SQL standard means you can choose from a greater selection of user friendly software. By making use of the software you prefer or already have, you reduce the necessity of learning a new product and having to train staff. Make use of third party report generators. Third party SQL report generators are used by most of our clients to create rich custom reports. While any SQL tool can be used, we recommend Horizon Web Reporter. 3. Horizon Web Reporter Dynix has announced a strategic alliance with MicroStrategy, a leading provider of business intelligence solutions. Through the alliance, Dynix will launch Horizon Web Reporter, a revolutionary reporting solution that creates a new standard in report generation for libraries, powered by the MicroStrategy Business Intelligence Platform. Horizon Web Reporter requires no knowledge of SQL to use. It features zerofootprint Web clients that can be used anywhere, including from home. The software makes it extremely easy for staff to run both pre developed and customized reports via the Web or Windows client. We have proposed Horizon Web Reporter--a powerful web-based report writer than literally anyone can use. Horizon Web Reporter comes with a wide range of standard reports, including reports for circulation, acquisitions budget, serial collections, and collection development. Each standard report can be easily modified and saved for future use by the library using a Web or desktop client. Ad hoc reports can also be created without having to know the underlying Horizon database table structure. Users can also create and save new reports from scratch without having knowledge of SQL programming. Once reports are saved, they can be easily shared with other branch libraries or peer libraries. Horizon Web Reporter provides powerful graphs of all Horizon data in real time. It supports the development of a ʺDirector Dashboard,ʺ which can be easily customized to report on the most important information for directors, assistant directors, and system administrators. Dashboards allow for quick feedback on the status of information essential to library operations, also providing the ability to 44

49 further explore the underlying data of library statistics. As a key security feature, Horizon Web Reporter offers role based reporting, allowing directors and system administrators to control who has access to selected reports and data. Data security ensures that users access only the appropriate data based on their respective jobs. The system enables you to edit reports on-the-fly, and receive scheduled reports by . 45

50 Reports can be quickly turned into graphical representations by choosing simple options. The Director s Dashboard is one of the most popular features of Horizon Web Reporter, giving authorized staff members real time reporting of library statistics. 46

51 Horizon System Architecture Software Horizon has graphical software components currently available for: Cataloging/Authority Maintenance Circulation Staff Searching Information Portal (web based patron access) Serials Control Serials Binding Acquisitions Systems Administration Reserve Bookroom Remote Patron Authentication Report Writing Interlibrary Loan Home Services (Homebound) Media Scheduling Bookmobile Community Resources Debt Collect (interface with Unique Management) Inventory Offline Circulation Closed Stack Access These components are fully integrated and all modules use a shared database eliminating the need for redundant data entry. Transactions take place in real time, which ensures that whatever information is displayed is accurate and up to date. Horizonʹs multi tasking nature makes it possible to run all applications concurrently and its task oriented environment enables the user to move quickly and easily among components. Many GUI tools and features such as the ability to cut, copy, and paste within and among applications add to the productivity and overall effectiveness of the Horizon system. Hardware As a client/server application, Horizon operates on any server supporting either Sybase SQL Server or Microsoft SQL Dynix, as a reseller of SUN, Dell, HP and IBM, has found Horizon to be especially suited for these servers and we continue to do extensive benchmarking of these products. Supported server operating systems include Linux, Solaris, and Windows Staff client software resides on PC workstations running Windows 95, 98, 2000, and XP. The Horizon Information Portal is available from any client workstation capable of running current releases of Netscape or Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers. 47

52 Network Environment The Horizon information management system was designed specifically for an expanded network environment. Horizon provides for the needs of a library that wishes to adopt a fully networked system. Horizon is also able to operate under a variety of network protocols. Horizon operates over IPX/SPX, Netbeui, and Named Pipes networks, and is especially well suited for the TCP/IP network protocol. Network environments may include Windows 2000, Novell Netware, and others. Horizon works on networks of every size and topology. The client/server architecture in which Horizon runs is much more than a graphical user interface; it is an environment which provides each user the ability to accomplish a variety of different tasks concurrently. Multi-Tier Architecture Relational Database Open System Architecture Horizonʹs design is based on a commitment to open architecture and Dynix has aggressively taken the lead in developing adapting new technologies for the library marketplace. In fact, the Horizon system employs the most advanced architecture available. This architecture enables your institution to choose not only the server that fits into your computing plan, but also offers a choice of desktop clients that accommodate your varied users. The architecture allows the system to be scaled according to the libraryʹs collection size and transaction load. It also permits the integration of new technologies and products in the future so that you can build a complete system piece by piece or upgrade your system as demand grows and resources permit. For more information on the future of Horizon s architecture, please see the Dynix white paper entitled Horizon Open Technology (available from your sales consultant). Horizon is written for an SQL compliant relational database environment, including MS SQL and Sybase, giving libraries their choice of RDBMS. Because of this, Horizon accommodates large, mid sized, and small library databases. We have libraries with collections as small as 50,000 and as large as 13 million plus records. In addition, since each library customizes its database to some extent, this customization has been made as simple as possible. Horizon stores definitions of many setup, display, and data entry screens in user modifiable tables in the database. As a result, authorized users may add and modify fields, tables, and even whole databases without vendor intervention. Support for Oracle and DB2 is planned for development Horizonʹs multi tier architecture allows you to connect easily to other systems such as image viewers, full text storage and retrieval systems, and multimedia resources. In addition, Horizon allows information sharing between systems, like general accounting and user notification via electronic mail. Horizon allows anyone seeking information to gain access (provided they have the proper authorization) regardless of desktop hardware or location. Horizon is designed to operate on any local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) environment to provide access to other library systems; and allow access to the Internet, libraries within your consortium, your suppliers, and local and remote databases. 48

53 Graphical User Interface Horizon client software offers the familiarity of Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000 and XP interfaces. Graphical user interfaces make information management tasks faster, easier to manage, and more intuitive with: Graphical icons Point and click commands Pull down menus Cut, copy, and paste features Multi tasking The graphical user interface provides integration of multiple applications running simultaneously. Help is always context sensitive and follows the Windows standards already familiar to your staff and patrons. The Horizon Launcher uses a menu structure similar to MS Windows Explorer, and allows users to access multiple modules or other programs and run them simultaneously. Security The Horizon system leverages security on three different layers: The network The database itself The Horizon application with field level security The Horizon application layer employs a two level security structure. On the first level are security profiles that define the enabled tables, menus, and program functions. On the second level are individual user IDs and passwords. Each ID and password combination is associated with a first level security profile. This allows, for example, a security profile for a circulation clerk to be profiled once and used repeatedly for the entire user class, eliminating the need for redundant security profiling. 49

54 Horizon provides several sophisticated passkey procedures that enable you to protect the system. You control who can open which modules, as well as who can view which tables of information within a given module. When you combine the security features of Horizon, the amount of overall security provided is remarkable. If you have not authorized a workstation to access a particular module, the system will deny entry no matter what a userʹs security level is. If you set the workstation to allow access to a desired module, but a user has not been registered and given a passkey, the system will still deny the user access. Standards Horizon supports a variety of standards important to libraries, including (but not limited to) MARC 21, Z39.50, Unicode, SIP2, NCIP, TCP/IP, SQL, X12, EDIFACT, BISAC, and SISAC. We are currently planning support for LDAP. Horizon is Z39.50 standard compliant on both the client side and the server side, so it gives your patrons access to the world of information your libraries catalogs, catalogs of other systems with Z39.50 servers, other vendors databases, and any other Z39.50, gopher, or WWW resource. Horizon also allows patrons to access the system from any Z39.50 client, or via the Web using the Horizon Information Portal with web browsers. Dynix keeps informed of emerging standards by serving on various standards committees. As a voting member of NISO and a charter member of the Z Standards Implementers Group (ZIG), Dynix is a participant in the development of many industry standards. System Administration Tasks Dynix requires that the library select a staff member to serve as the system administrator and someone to serve as the network administrator. These can be the same person if the library deems this appropriate and that person has the time and resources to handle both. Assigning the automation duties to someone makes it easier for Dynix to serve the library s needs and also makes it easier for the library to administer the responsibilities that an automated system requires. The time required for system and database maintenance is highly dependent upon many factors, such as the speed of your network, the size of your database, and the configuration of your server and client hardware. It is therefore difficult to give estimates of the time required for system maintenance. It is important to remember that the Horizon library automation system is relatively easy to maintain at many of our installations, librarians themselves double as Horizon system administrators. 50