Blacksburg, VA -- An initiative by vendors and library service organizations has been formed for the enabling of web services between disparate applications used in libraries. Chaired by Carl Grant, President & COO of VTLS, and working in conjunction with NISO, the initiative is a response to the growing need in the vendor and library service communities to create both a discussion forum and a plan to implement web services. The group that has agreed to cooperate in the initiative includes; Dynix, Fretwell Downing, Index Data, Muse Global, OCLC and VTLS.

Web Services is the next dimension in systems architecture. It builds on core standards including at the foundation: TCP/IP, HTTP and XML. Using new technologies, the core of web services will be the ability for software to interoperate at many different levels, thus resulting in a more seamless integration of functional capabilities for end users of the products. The technology is already seeing rapid adoption in the traditional business sectors, with companies like Amazon, Home Depot, Google and others building business processes using the technology. In the library marketplace, many vendors are already offering applications that support web service, including Dynix, Index Data and VTLS. To reach the ultimate goal of web services, true interoperability, the vendors will need to work out guidelines and possibly standards, which will extend the foundation.

“I want to recognize the vision of the leadership of these companies in seeing the need and agreeing to devote the resources to support this initiative”, said Carl Grant, Chairperson of VIEWS, “Every company invited to participate agreed to do so. We also want to thank the leadership of NISO for agreeing to participate in and facilitate the work of the group so that the results, if successful, can be quickly and readily adopted across the library community. These companies and organizations are to be recognized for helping move the library profession forward in the adoption of leading technology”

Plans call for the group to begin meeting shortly and to set up a test bed for working through the numerous details involved in implementing the architecture across product lines. Information and results will be posted on the NISO website as they are achieved. In phase 2 of the project, additional involvement from other vendors/organizations within the library community will be sought in order to broaden the acceptance of web services.

About Dynix

Dynix is the global leader in new-name sales of library management systems and has the largest installed customer base of any library technology vendor. As a committed advocate of the library community, Dynix serves academic, special, school, public, and consortium libraries in over 40 countries. Dynix has more than 100 professional librarians on staff and proven experience in software leadership. Since 1983, Dynix has provided customers visionary technology solutions that support the latest industry standards and offer intuitive functionality. For complete corporate information and a guide to Dynix products and services, visit www.dynix.com.

About Fretwell-Downing

For more than ten years, Fretwell-Downing, Inc. (FD Inc.) has been a global leader in the evolution of digital libraries. Delivering unmatched service and flexibility, FD Inc. offers libraries a seamless choice of standards-based solutions. Building toward a solid vision of a "library without walls," FD Inc. boasts the unique ability to integrate with disparate electronic library systems, as well as creating and managing entirely new digital library systems. FD Inc. deliver solutions for resource sharing and document delivery, OpenURL deliver, web information portals for cross-domain search & retrieval.

About Index Data

Founded in 1994, Index Data is the world's leading developer of Z39.50-related programmers' toolkits and applications, and the only library software company offering an Open Source alternative for metasearch and content management services. The mission of Index Data is to lower the cost of high quality digital library services, and to empower librarians to assert control over the software needed to provide these services, through the development of open source software using open standards. Services range from courses and consultancy, to custom software development and turnkey solutions

About MuseGlobal

The mission of MuseGlobal (www.museglobal.com) is to optimize the productivity of information users and knowledge workers by enabling the discovery, integration, and delivery of information and services from disparate systems. MuseGlobal's breakthrough MuseSearch solution is based on the most advanced metasearch architecture and features the most sophisticated pre-, in-search, and post-processing capabilities available. Many leading information management software providers feature MuseSearch as underpinning technology for their products and services.

About NISO

NISO, the National Information Standards Organization, a non-profit association accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), identifies, develops, maintains, and publishes technical standards to manage information in our changing and ever-more digital environment. NISO standards apply both traditional and new technologies to the full range of information-related needs, including retrieval, re-purposing, storage, metadata, and preservation. Founded in 1939, incorporated as a not-for-profit education association in 1983, and assuming its current name the following year, NISO draws its support from the communities it serves. The leaders of over 70 organizations in the fields of publishing, libraries, IT and media serve as its voting members. Hundreds of experts and practitioners serve on NISO committees and as officers of the association.

About OCLC

Founded in 1967, OCLC Online Computer Library Center is a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world's information and reducing information costs. More than 45,000 libraries in 84 countries and territories around the world use OCLC services to locate, acquire, catalog, lend and preserve library materials.

About VTLS Inc.

VTLS Inc. (www.vtls.com) is a leading global company that creates and provides visionary technology in library solutions. We have three distinct divisions that serve a diverse customer base of more than 900 libraries in over 35 countries. Our VIRTUA division remains focused on ILS solutions. Our VTRAX division focuses on RFID technologies through a partnership with Tagsys. Our Digital Asset Creation & Management division provides cutting edge software and services for Digital Libraries. VTLS is also one of the few ISO 9001 quality certified companies within the library industry.