Capita today launched a cloud-based web application, Soprano, that allows both public and academic library staff to access Capita's library management system (LMS) from any location at any time of the day. As part of the ongoing commitment to ensuring that the LMS meets the requirements of all libraries, Capita developed and tested Soprano with public and academic libraries and in response to their requirements – including University of Sussex, Leeds City Council and University of South Wales. With benefits for both librarians and library users in mind, the application assists librarians to swiftly complete their day-to-day tasks anywhere using their mobile devices, delivering a faster and increasingly efficient service for library users.
The application is available via any web browser and is compatible with a range of mobile devices, including laptops, tablets and smartphones. Librarians can complete key circulation tasks, including issue, renew, reserve, and record the return of books using Soprano's ability to use either barcode scanning or radio frequency identification (RFID) technology on all devices. The technology is delivering fast customer service during peak times and also outside the library walls at different locations across university campuses and at public libraries in remote locations or when engaging in outreach work.
"The number of people using our library has climbed year on year as we have transformed our environment into a contemporary teaching and learning space with ubiquitous data, which delivers the specialist information people are looking for in the most appropriate format for their needs," commented Tim Graves, systems support manager at University of Sussex. "For years we have been quick to seize on any step forwards in mobile technology that allows us to take our services out to the people that rely on us. Soprano offers a potentially huge breakthrough in the quality of service we can provide to people using the library. Soprano will give us the ability to answer questions at the time they are asked, but more importantly in the place they are asked. I'm hoping it will rid us of the legacy image of library users queuing at any time or in any place, for any thing."
John Daniel, technical advisor at Leeds City Council, added: "We want to provide a more flexible, smart and efficient experience for our customers. Our library users are often pushed for time so we are constantly exploring ways of moving from the traditional 'four walls' structure and bring the library to them. Soprano enables us to provide our service to our customers from mobile locations and at events where we can join new members on the spot."
"Capita worked closely with public and academic sector libraries to meet their day-to-day challenges in an innovative way. These libraries wanted an easy-to-use, flexible and intuitive system to manage workloads and enrich users' experience. We are sure that Soprano, as part of Capita's library management system, delivers a robust solution for their current and future needs", explains Karen Reece, head of libraries at Capita.
About Capita
Capita's software services business attributes its position as the leading supplier of software solutions to the public sector, housing and education marketplaces to its strong partnership approach. It works closely with customers to provide tailored systems in the disciplines of library management systems, student records systems, customer services, mobile technology, payment collection, income management, integrated housing management, revenues and benefits processing and services and policy training. Capita's customers benefit from a bespoke service, helping them to streamline their processes and deliver a high performance customer-centric service.
Further information regarding Capita's suite of library solutions can be found at: www.capita.co.uk/libraries
As a division of The Capita Plc, the company has experienced strong and consistent growth since its inception in 1994 and works with over 70 per cent of local authorities in the UK. Further information on Capita Software Services can be found at: www.capita-software.co.uk
Capita plc is the UK's leading provider of BPO and integrated professional support service solutions. With more than 46,500 employees at more than 350 sites, including 68 business centres across the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, Europe and India, the Group uses its expertise, infrastructure and scale benefits to transform its clients' services, driving down costs and adding value. Capita is quoted on the London Stock Exchange (CPI.L), and is a constituent of the FTSE100 with revenues for 2011 of £2,930million. Further information on Capita plc can be found at: www.capita.co.uk
