Innovative Introduces New Consortia Management Capabilities and Multi-Provider Coverage Support in Knowledge Base Release 1.2

 

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Innovative Interfaces, a leading provider of library automation software that empowers libraries globally, has launched Innovative Knowledge Base Release 1.2. As requested by Innovative library partners, this release provides the ability for consortia central offices and member libraries to manage electronic resources with shared workflows, and for any library to view coverage data from multiple content providers together in one place.

Built on the Innovative Open Library Stack (IOLS), Innovative Knowledge Base is a multi-tenant cloud-based solution that streamlines electronic resource management by integrating holdings and managed content entitlements across entire library systems for a more accurate library discovery experience. It is an easy-to-use, scalable solution that modernizes workflows and automatically updates title changes every two weeks, so the library is always current with package metadata.

“The Innovative Knowledge Base, since its first release, has set a new standard for continuous delivery of features and updated data to libraries on a timely basis,” said Chris Fields, Chief Technology Officer at Innovative. “Our cloud-based solution enables rapid adoption of new capabilities, and our iterative approach to development provides Innovative library partners with uninterrupted increases in value.”

Consortia Capabilities

Building on existing capabilities, Knowledge Base Release 1.2 enhances resource management for consortia. The central office can now selectively assign resources to specific members, which provides efficient centralized management of content subscribed for a subset of members or even a single member library, in addition to consortia-wide resources. Member libraries can view their current locally- and consortia-managed entitlements, and identify unsubscribed content that may be available at a discounted rate through the consortium. Coverage can be exported for use in shared or independent ERM and Discovery solutions. This collective management of electronic resources, with visibility to all members in an online, central location, is essential for libraries to leverage the total value of their consortia relationships.

Multi-Provider Coverage

Knowledge Base Release 1.2 supports holdings imports, so users can import the library’s ProQuest 360 (formerly known as Serials Solutions) coverage data in addition to receiving automatic bi-weekly coverage updates from EBSCO. This enables academic libraries and consortia to manage all subscriptions and eResources from both of their largest content providers in one location. Beyond the simplified view of subscribed content across vendors, institutions benefit from easy access to monitor large libraries of content they may want to purchase in the future. The result is streamlined collection management.

Additional Search Features

With modern search capabilities and an easy-to-use interface, the Innovative Knowledge Base provides a premier central repository for simplified management of content lifecycles. Additional new discovery features in Knowledge Base Release 1.2 include:

  • Control Number Searching. In addition to searching titles by a text term, users can now search for titles by a control number (ISSN, eISSN, ISBN, or eISBN). Searching by number enables library staff to locate desired content quickly despite many similarly named options, saving time and eliminating frustration.
  • Source Facet.  A new facet allows users to filter title search results by coverage source (i.e. EBSCO, Serials Solutions, etc.). This offers library staff an efficient path to identify unique content and the ability to limit searches to a preferred provider.

The Innovative Knowledge Base Release 1.2 is the second major release of the product announced in 2017, but Innovative delivers updates and feature enhancements to its users incrementally every two weeks. Innovative Knowledge Base users can use the “What’s New” feature in the user menu to learn more about new functionality.

The Innovative Knowledge Base Release 1.2 is available now. To learn more about Knowledge Base, visit the Innovative website.

 

 

About Innovative

Innovative (www.iii.com) provides leading technology solutions and services that empower libraries and enrich their users worldwide. Innovative offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of library automation products on the market today, serving academic, public, national, corporate, special libraries, and consortia. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, Innovative has a global presence—serving thousands of libraries in 66 countries and offices worldwide.