Expected LMS Project Technical Resources for Each Campus

Revised March 2002

This document summarizes known technical resources required for the new library management system (LMS). This information is provided to help campuses begin planning for required equipment and staff, as necessary. Also listed are some unknowns related to the new system.

Each campus will be responsible for providing appropriately configured PCs for access to staff functions and appropriately configured microcomputers for public OPAC access. Dumb terminals will need to be replaced with equipment defined below. PCs are required by LMS vendors to support the staff client software and common browser technology.

	staff client software running on the PC provides the interface to functions such as circulation, cataloging, serials, and acquisitions; these will be needed at library service desks and in library staff work areas.
	common browser technology will be used to run a web-based OPAC (Ex Libris does not support terminal or character based online catalogs). The Web OPAC works best with Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher and Netscape 6.2 or higher. For best display results of diacritics and special characters, install the Arial Unicode MS font.
	PCs must be able to run Microsoft Windows 9x or Windows NT. As of this date, a Pentium level processor is required to support the operating system and Ex Libris functions.
	PCs for staff and patron use will require network cards to support the network considerations outlined below under the Network section. Ex Libris recommends the following configuration for ALEPH500 v.14.X and 15.X [current and next versions of the LMS]: 20 gb hard drive 17 inch monitors Intel Processor 800/133 mhz 256 mb of memory Windows 2000
	campuses will be responsible for updating PC operating system and browser software, and funding the upgrades of PCs and technological infrastructure on an on-going basis. The present life cycle for PCs is approximately three years. Equipment purchased today may need to be upgraded if campus migrations to the new library management system occur in the later phases of the implementation process.

The LMS will be designed to work across a wide area network. In addition, the configuration and bandwidth of both the library and campus networks will directly impact the performance of the LMS. It is expected that campuses will:

	establish and maintain an appropriate network link.
	ensure that library and campus networks support TCP/IP and compatibility with domain addressing and Domain Name System (DNS).

Each campus will be responsible for maintaining technical support staff in order to:

	install and update desktop operating system, staff client software, and common browser technology.
	troubleshoot problems related to desktop hardware and software.
	provide initial investigation of possible network and LMS application problems.