As promised, the following responses were received regarding my inquiry about software applications suitable for a law firm library. Access 2002, Inmagic, Sima, EOSi and Softlink were mentioned:
...I made an entire integrated system for our library using
[ Microsoft ] Access 2002, connecting it to SQL databases. It has incredible capabilities and allows you to create only the feature needed. My system ties books and serials to billing, makes labels for routing and book pockets, prints shelf and title lists, prints reports on various things, everything we need. We saved 10 times what it cost the first year just by centralizing our desk copy ordering to get bulk discounts. ...Big systems like SydneyPlus are not only too expensive, they are full of features you don't need yet are too inflexible.
..We use Inmagic / DB Textworks. (have used it since DOS days)
...InMagic has several very good products. DB/Text for libraries is a great little system that can do and hold a lot of data. The WebPublisher version kicks it up a notch so your OPAC is web-enabled. BiblioTechPro is fancier and meant for larger operations. I haven't used that one, but recommended it for purchase in an earlier position. See InMagic.com foir details.
...We use BiblioTech PRO from InMagic (http://www.inmagic.com). Seems to do everything you're looking for a significantly smaller price than Sydney Plus (which finished a distant third when we were evaluating systems). It has recently been purchased by a number of Boston law firms and seems to be gaining legal market share around the country. We've had a very good experience with it, though it was installed here and we were trained on it before InMagic purchased it from the original developer. This is not to say that we have reason to think a purchaser today would be disappointed, just that we have little direct experience with InMagic as a company. (I can say
that two excellent technical people who have worked on the product from the beginning are still involved with it.)
...I use InMagic and Webpublisher. I selected fields I wanted to use from the preformatted structures. It is very easy to set up a database and populate it. Data can be formatted for importing. It was a program our firm could afford. We use it to track our expenses and have a checkin/routing database, and a online catalog. We also use to track legislation. It is utilized for our brief bank index and the documents are pdf attachments. We index the informal advisory opinions of the state bar assn. with the
program.
...Sima has a great package and is very affordable. I am very pleased with it and Sima is lovely to work with. Good luck!
Service Information Management Association (SIMA), Inc.
P.O. Box 248, Springfield, VA 22150-0248
Tel 703-569-0993, Fax 703-569-5161
Web http://www.simainc.com, E-mail simainc@simainc.com
...Inmagic DB/TextWorks with the Library Module is the least expensive and most flexible customizable software that I have used. Right now I am experimenting with Softlink but I do miss a lot of the features of the Inmagic product.
...I am familiar with EOS in the law firm llibrary setting, and they have very good customer service/training in California. The system can be bought in modules and works well in a law firm setting....without a lot of down time. The EOS products are competitively priced and easy to use. The big time zapper of EOS is not the functionality of the system, but typing all the information into the system. EOS will electrically download biblograhic info and set up all your records for a price...if you are short of clerical staff. ...InMagic is also a very good vendor of library integrated systems.....for law firms.
...we're pretty pleased with Camelot from Sima, Inc.
although we're running it on their server - makes it a lot easier
with our IT department.
...We went with InMagic here two years ago, as I did at my previous firm. I have been very happy with it. It is networkable, expandable, modular and we got it for about $5K.
...We are please with EOSi for our library system. They offer five modules: Serial, Acquisitons, Cataloging, Circulation and Databridge. They produce the Q series, more sophisticated and expensive and the GLAS series, which we have. Databridge is there MARC editor. If you can wait and can get to one of the big Conferences in the Summer, vendors are always offering
incentives to sign up then and some freebies too. We are a 140 attorney firm in the midwest. We do not use the circulation nor do we use it for ILL, but all other functions seem to fit our needs fine and it's costs are manageable. Call: (800)876-5484, they reside in Carlsbad, CA. Good Luck.
...I have had some experience with EOSi's product and Inmagic's (Is it DataTrek?). Both worked well in law firms from 120 - 300 attorneys.
Anthony D. Cocuzzi
Director of Library Services
Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach, LLP
One Pennsylvania Plaza, 48th Floor
New York, NY 10119
adc@mwbhlny.com
(212) 946-9442
Fax: (212) 868-1229
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