ORLANDO, Fla.—June 28, 2004— Sirsi Corporation, celebrating 25 years of delivering technology "firsts" to the library community, announced today two new network consulting services for libraries interested in installing wireless and IP telephony (IPT) technologies within their facilities. These state-of-the-art networking technologies offer significant benefits to libraries - one benefit related to public service and the other to library productivity. Installation of WiFi hotspots in facilities can make libraries the "place to go" for the best in wireless access, while implementation of IPT can ensure that the vast amounts of data created and shared within libraries can be delivered faster and more reliably while integrating voice, data, and email.
Technology Partners for these services include Cisco Systems, Inc., the leader in networking for the Internet; Global Solutions Group, providing information technology design; and Bluesocket Inc., the leading vendor of open-systems wireless local area network (WLAN) systems to secure and manage wireless access to networks and the Internet. "Sirsi is experienced in meeting the networking needs of libraries and is the logical choice for a secure, reliable, well-designed WiFi or IPT system that meets those unique needs. And we only work with Technology Partners that support our focus on serving the library community," said Rick Cook, Sirsi network consultant. "These two services provide technologies that meet the ever-increasing demands of library patrons and ensure that the library's systems are relevant to today's users while maintaining security, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility."
Sirsi library wireless hotspot services begin with an onsite, assessment allowing engineers to determine the best placement of wireless access points throughout the library building. This professional network design ensures that the library is fully covered with an RF (radio frequency) signal. "This makes certain that a good strong signal is available to each staff or patron 802.11 capable device," said Cook. "And, we develop a solution to meet that library's exact needs for WiFi." After the Sirsi plan is designed, Global Solutions Group installs and supports the network for the library and ensures that the Bluesocket Wireless Gateway security and management features are implemented to maximize the systems' integrity.
Sirsi's IP telephony services provide a complete implementation package for integrating IPT into existing library networks. IPT converges voice traffic, data traffic, and video traffic over the same network. "The greatest benefits of IPT are cost-effectiveness, easy implementation, and innovative services like using a single infrastructure to provide Internet access and telephone service," said Cook. "Additionally, IPT is software-oriented allowing these solutions to be easily integrated and scaled to meet other services and applications. Sirsi only uses Cisco, recognized as the leading authority on IPT systems."
About Cisco Systems, Inc.
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, this year celebrates 20 years of commitment to technology innovation, industry leadership, and corporate social responsibility. Information on Cisco can be found at www.cisco.com.
About Sirsi
In 2004, Sirsi Corporation (www.sirsi.com) celebrates 25 years as the strategic technology partner to more than 10,000 libraries around the world. A strong, growing company, we are dedicated to providing the library community with forward-thinking information technology solutions, including Sirsi Unicorn Library Management System, the first client/server-based and UNIX-based integrated library system; Sirsi iBistro and iLink, the first e-Library solutions with streaming enriched content; Sirsi Rooms, the first suite of context management solutions; and Sirsi Director's Station, the first information analysis tool for library executives. Sirsi maintains operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and China.