Comparing Systems
Pricing
Pricing can be the bottom line and the ultimate requirement. If so your search is easy, there are almost no full automation systems set at our pricing. Compare features, how long they have been in business, go through all the other factors listed above. If price is not an issue and you can afford a more expensive system the question becomes what are you buying for that extra money ? What is the difference ? What else can you buy for your library ? Do you own the software or are you tied to perpetual annual fees which apply retroactively if you miss a year ?
LiBRARYSOFT starts at $495 with special discounts for libraries with limited funding. Our system competes head to head with any of the large expensive systems. What is the difference ? Price.
Longevity
How long have they been around. The library automation industry is a tough business. Librarians soon weed out the failures.
Customers
Who has been buying their system, what types of libraries ?
Diversity
Are they a "one mold" company. Diversity builds a more advanced and durable company and product. Do they specialize in libraries, diversity between libraries is fine but you do not want a general database program as it soon runs out of options.
Technical Superiority
What are the advanced "bells and whistles" if any ? Does it have visual trees, advanced searching, external checkout/in capability, a reprort generator - if so how advanced is it.
Ease of use
Does it make sense ? Do you enjoy using it ? Is it modular so that you can train staff. Do you have to learn the whole system or can you learn the sections that are important to you ?
Direction
What scalability does the software have ? Is it a "toy" system or can it perform on a network or internet ? Are there upward upgrade options?
Integration
How easily can the library system import/export data ? Are you stuck with the system with your data held hostage ?
Customer Support
Compare the cost of annual fees and whether they are optional or have retroactive penalities.
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