St. Paul, Minn. – April 4, 2011 – 3M, the pioneer in self-service for libraries, and the developer of the Standard Exchange Protocol (SIP), announced today the availability of a discussion board to gather input about the latest generation of SIP, version 3.0. 3M is leading the development of the latest release of the free and openly available SIP protocol which annually supports billions of transaction between libraries and patrons. This effort will provide the necessary protocol to help meet library needs for interoperability between self-service library devices and software applications with the ILS systems to support patron self-service functionality.
In the process of defining SIP 3.0, 3M has engaged the library community of experts on SIP from ILS vendors, self-service vendors, payment system and PC management system vendors from around the world to provide input for version 3.0. Version 3.0 standardizes common extensions used by vendors which will enhance interoperability between library systems, as well as help ensure that vendors can quickly migrate to version 3.0, allowing a faster transition to the latest version in the global marketplace. SIP 3.0 will also provide additional messages and data, allowing for electronic media, line item fine payments, user management (creation, update) and staff overrides.
3M has implemented a web-based discussion board that allows the library community to provide comments on proposals for change and draft versions of the SIP 3.0 standard. Anyone interested in joining should send their name, company name and email address to sip3@mmm.com with the heading SIP Discussion Board. 3M also has a SIP 3.0 mailbox for submission of new features, change requests, queries and comments on the SIP 3.0 development. The mailbox is sip3.mmm.com.
The SIP 3.0 development team plans to post the first draft of SIP 3.0 by the end of March. Library vendor and library community feedback is critical to the success of this protocol.
SIP History
3M introduced the 3M Standard Interchange Protocol (SIP) version 1.0 in 1993. This protocol provided a standard communication to allow ILS applications and self-service devices to communicate seamlessly to perform self-service transactions. Long believing in open standards, 3M provided the SIP protocol to the industry free of charge. This protocol quickly became the de-facto standard around the world. In 1997 version 2.0 was released, which provided additional functionality for fines and fees payment, store and forward capability, renewals, and chargeable loans. It is still the primary protocol used worldwide to integrate Library Management Systems and self-service devices.
About 3M Library Systems
3M Library Systems is the only company that develops, designs, and manufactures cutting-edge conversion, circulation, collection management, and security solutions. Finding the technology solution that is right for our customers, 3M's promise is to deliver a long term partnership that is built to exceed their expectations. For more information about 3M Library Systems, visit http://www.3m.com/library or follow @3MLibrary on Twitter.
About 3M
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $27 billion in sales, 3M employs about 80,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.
