We were recently asked why we did not include Cuadra Associates' STAR in our annual review of multi-user, multi-tasking automated library systems. The simple answer is, they failed to respond to our survey. However, after receiving the inquiry, we made in-person contact at ALA with the company's marketing manager for the western region. As a result, we received a belated response to our 1990 survey. We are pleased to summarize it:
STAR--available both as a turnkey , product and as a software package--is a multi-user data base management and information retrieval system. The modules include local cataloging, online patron access catalog, and community information (I&R). There also is a report generator.
The company claims over 140 installations worldwide, with 110 in North America. Thirty were sold in 1989. Revenue figures were not disclosed, but the company claims to be profitable. The product runs on a Sun Microsystems (Series 3 and SPARCstation) and Alpha Microsystems computers. The operating system for the former is Sun OS (a Unix-based OS) and for the latter it is AMOS. The programs are written in "C."
The product is targeted toward special libraries, information centers, law firms, publishing houses, etc. Fifteen of the installations support over 30 users (40 is the usual maximum), 50 support 16 to 29 users, 65 support eight to 15 users, and the rest support two to seven users. There are six staff members committed to software maintenance and development; another four staff are committed to other customer support.
[Contact: Cuadra Associates, 11835 W. Olympic Blvd., #855, Los Angeles, Ca 90064; (800) 366-1390.]
