ILL software solutions: when being better isn't good enough...

I came across this news release in Marshall Breeding's library technology blog. A decade ago (1997-1999), I worked closely with the Relais software/hardware product in its implementation at the National Library of Medicine. Comparing Relais with the primary ILL software packaged used at the WSU Libraries, ILLiad, is instructive. At a technical level, Relais is clearly a superior solution, in terms of integrating digitization and ILL processes (primarily through the Relais scanning workstation hardware and software). In my view, ILLiad has succeeded more strongly in the marketplace because it hits the right price point and because the product was absorbed by a strong parent company, OCLC.