London, 26 April 2021. The University of West London (UWL) has chosen a cloud library systems platform, including Koha as its new library management system, to replace the previous ESS solution. PTFS Europe is implementing the new system and will provide on-going hosting and support services.
About the Koha Library Management System
The Koha library management system is a cloud application providing staff and student users with browser access to the system. The system comprises core modules: acquisitions with EDI, circulation, cataloguing, serials and comprehensive reporting functionality. The Koha online catalogue offers end users excellent search capabilities together with a full range of personalisation services. Koha's depth of functionality continues to develop to meet the changing needs of libraries and their users.
About CORAL eRM and Metabase
To enrich the Koha system, PTFS Europe is also implementing the CORAL electronic resource management system and Metabase Analytics. Both of these open source tools integrate with Koha and other systems at the university and provide the library staff with enhanced control of electronic resources as well as the ability to query and visualise the databases of all library systems.
Andrew Preater, Director of Library Services at UWL, said,
We selected the Koha cloud library systems platform following a detailed evaluation of our current requirements and future needs, and are confident the system will be future-flexible to meet the changing needs of our staff and students. The Koha system both aligns with our University IT Strategy in terms of sustainability and value for money, and also supports our Library strategic priority to support free culture copyright licensing—as free/libre open source software (FLOSS) it represents peer-reviewed software. The PTFS Europe implementation team have proved extremely technically knowledgeable, and have an authentic, honest and open approach to account management and liaison.
The University of West London is a modern university with a mission to inspire students to become innovative and creative professionals and to connect them to exciting and rewarding careers. With one of the most diverse student bodies in the UK, the University is committed to providing access to education and widening participation. Known as the ‘Career University', UWL provides industry-standard facilities, great links with employers and excellent employment opportunities. In 2020 UWL was named University of the Year for Student Experience by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 – reflecting the University's focus on delivering an outstanding student experience.
Andrew Auld, Commercial Director at PTFS Europe, said
We are delighted that the University of West London has chosen to work with us, and we welcome them as new customers. A growing number of academic institutions is seeing the benefit of this open source library systems platform. They also join our growing base of Koha customers, particularly in the academic sector, from across the UK and Europe who are hosted and supported by PTFS Europe.
About PTFS Europe
PTFS Europe provides a wide range of products for the library market. These include the open source library systems Koha and FOLIO, RT: request tracker for enquiry management, Coral for electronic resource management, Metabase business analytics and the Knowvation digital repository. An ISO27001 company, PTFS Europe, provides the full range of services needed to implement, host, and support these products.