Syracuse, NY (May 24, 1999) - Gaylord Information Systems (GIS) today announced that the Mabee Library and Learning Resource Center at MidAmerica Nazarene University has integrated Microsoft Terminal Server, Citrix MetaFrame, and Wyse Winterm devices with GIS' Polaris integrated library system.
The Mabee Library (located on the MidAmerica Nazarene University campus in Olathe, Kansas) is providing staff and student access to its 90,000-title catalog with 6 onsite OPAC thin-client devices, and up to 50 concurrent licenses. The Polaris web-based OPAC running in Internet Explorer, the staff client Windows interface, and the Windows desktops (95, 98, NT, and 2000) are displayed on workstations via "thin client" software. All application execution, data processing, and data storage occur on the appropriate server and object tiers of the Polaris system.
Citrix MetaFrame's thin-client software protocol CA runs on a number of different hardware devices, such as PCs, Macintosh computers, Unix workstations, and thin-client devices like the Wyse Winterm. By letting users access Polaris running on Windows NT Server, Terminal Server provides a bridging technology for libraries that desire a true Windows desktop environment on their workstations.
Extending Polaris' n-tier architecture with a new technology like Terminal Server places MidAmerica Nazarene University at the forefront of library automation, Dr. Ray Morrison, Director of Mabee Library said, "Because Polaris is a native-Windows NT system, we are in a position to take advantage of any future distributed processing technologies. By pulling in thin-client devices, we are able to focus more on the integration of these technologies and less on system maintenance. We have freed ourselves from a rigid client-server infrastructure and created a more flexible computing environment."
The overall flexibility of Terminal Server convinced the university to deploy Polaris with thin client workstations. Dr. Morrison said that Polaris and Terminal Server technologies provide a solid foundation on which to build a truly integrated enterprise system. "Polaris fits perfectly with our infrastructure because it is a native Windows NT application. The Polaris and terminal servers are deployed to integrate with the university's business applications servers. We are able to share the university's bookkeeping services with Polaris."
As an academic library working to control computing costs, a Polaris/Terminal Server implementation proved to be less expensive for the university to deploy and maintain than traditional two and three tier client-server systems based on full-scale personal computers. Dr. Morrison noted that much of the cost saving is found in the ease of managing a thin-client network. "We can upgrade Polaris workstations without having to touch each client. That is a huge saving in terms of time spent on the floor. We run the upgrade in one place - it's that simple." Dr. Morrison added that Terminal Server has also increased data security. "With all the servers locked up in a secure area, our students and faculty are free to use Polaris the way it was designed--and the way they choose--without fear of damaging existing data or programs on the workstation's local drive."
Polaris is a non-modular, native-Windows NT library automation solution. The system offers complete access to integrated cataloging, serials, acquisitions, circulation, patron/student services, and system administration functionality. Polaris provides a Web-based public access client and a Windows 95/98/NT Workstation-based technical services client. Polaris was built with Microsoft technologies solely for the Windows NT Server platform and SQL Server.
GIS is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Provider and the 25 year- young software development division of Gaylord Bros., a leading supplier to the library industry for over a century. In addition to its library automation systems, GIS offers networking, retrospective conversion, and database enhancement services to libraries of all types. For more information, visit www.gaylord.com/automation or contact 015 headquarters at 800-272-3414.
