To actively shape its information environment for the future, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) University Library just became the latest university in the U. S. to select Fretwell-Downing's powerful state-of-the-art VDX software.

"Today's college student expects easy and effective online access to library services," says David W. Lewis, Dean of the IUPUI University Library. "And Fretwell-Downing's VDX software enables us to move our interlibrary loan operation from a paper-based system into that online arena."

Steven J. Schmidt, the University Library's Access Services Team Leader adds, "First and foremost, we were interested in the software's ability to sort and check incoming requests against our catalog holdings. It saves us countless man-hours and improves our efficiency." What's more, Fretwell-Downing's VDX software allows the Library to both interface with a wide variety of electronic media and produce accurate usage statistics on demand.

"Fretwell-Downing, Inc. is looking forward to begin our relationship with the IUPUI University Library," says Matthew Goldner, Fretwell-Downing's Executive Vice President. "IUPUI is a highly-respected university that we're proud to add to the fast-growing list of academic institutions using our solutions for their library needs."

The University Library also selected Fretwell-Downing, Inc (FD, Inc.) due to its solid reputation in the international library market. Schmidt says, "The size and depth of their research and development efforts, coupled with the health of the company gave us confidence that this is a firm that will be with us for the long run." He adds, "We also look forward to learning about the use of portals from Fretwell-Downing in the near future."

IUPUI was created in 1969 by the merger of extension programs from the state's two largest schools. Today it is an urban commuter school, the third largest university in the state, serving over 28,000 students with more than 180-degree programs in 21 academic units.

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 systems.