I read earlier this week that SirsiDynix has sold a Docutek division product, VRLplus, to another company. SirsiDynix has added some enhancements to Docutek's ERes product since acquiring it, but the vendor's overall performance in managing the product since taking it over hasn't been good, in my view. The biggest mistake that SirsiDynix made was (aside from firing or letting all of the Docutek staff leave the company) was eliminating the customer product listserv, making it difficult for ERes managers/libraries to communicate with one another. A company representative assured me in January that SirsiDynix is reconsidering this decision, but I've heard nothing thus far on reestablishing the ERes listserv.
It's my understanding that SirsiDynix representatives took seriously the results of Marshall Breeding's library automation survey (specific to ILS) from late last year (search within the survey document for 'sirsidynix'). But acquiring a company (Docutek), suffocating its flagship product, ERes, and shedding smaller products like VRLplus, isn't encouraging.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
The sale of VRLPlus is a very good thing. Altarama is focused on the reference space and can give VRLPlus the attention that SirsiDynix could not. Feedback from VRLPlus customers has been overwhelmingly positive.
SirsiDynix people that were divided between VRLPlus and ERes are now focused on ERes. ERes is under active development. There have been three releases in the last year and another release and two new modules are slated for release before the end of 2008.
The listserv has not been a priority given the availability of the independent Princeton-hosted Lib-Ereserves list. With an upcoming reorganization of the SirsiDynix client care site, an ERes-specific discussion board will become available. No specific date yet on that. Stay tuned.
Post a Comment