News from Talis

Citation

(2002), "News from Talis", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 36 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/prog.2002.28036dab.005

News from Talis

News from Talis

Talis launches new dedicated security service for customers

Talis Information Ltd has announced a new dedicated security service tailored to the Talis library environment. The Server Hardening and ongoing Server Hardening Maintenance services help ensure that the Talis servers are protected against attack from malicious hackers, with regular security upgrades, and also help ensure that the library system's access control reflects industry best practice. A successful customer launch at the Talis Symposium in 2002 saw the service receive much praise from delegates increasingly concerned about the threats to their systems.

Talis managing director, Stephen Gray, explains "The demand for a robust security solution to help combat malicious hacking has dramatically increased, as services have become more accessible over the Internet from anywhere. Our Server Hardening package has been specifically designed to offer our customers a real solution to their security needs in the library sector, and form part of the company's long-term commitment to developing new products and services that meet the needs of our customers".

The Server Hardening service has been successfully implemented in five institutions, with the University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University libraries among those currently benefiting from this new Talis service.

Merthyr chooses Talis

After an extensive competitive tendering process Merthyr Tydfil public library in South Wales has selected the Talis library management system to automate its libraries, including two mobile libraries. As this is Merthyr Tydfil's first automated library management system, a major priority is to build a high quality and accurate online catalogue. Talis have made this fast and easy by providing access to TalisBase, which is a unique online resource of over 20 million catalogue records, including much Welsh material. It will provide a very high "hit rate" against the library authority's holdings. The high quality data provided by TalisBase will improve the ability of users to find what they want. Access to the online catalogue will be provided over the Web. Also included in the deal is the new TalisMobile solution that provides a fully functional offline library system that is not dependent on online connection via expensive radio or unreliable mobile phone links. This ensures residents who cannot get to the static libraries are not excluded from the benefits a modern computerised system can bring.

"We have waited a long time for this and it has to be right for us and those we serve. I wanted a modern, twenty-first century, system from an established supplier I can trust. We have selected a company which we believe can support the developments we need to revolutionise our library processes and, by use of the Internet, to bring our stock and services into the homes of users", commented Geraint James, head of libraries at Merthyr Tydfil. "The Talis system impressed me by its ease of use and the company has a very good track record in the UK in general and Wales in particular."

Merthyr Tydfil joins a growing band of UK and Ireland public and academic libraries that have chosen Talis. Welcoming Merthyr Tydfil into the Talis community, Ken Chad, Talis sales director said, "the fact that Talis is owned jointly by its employees and library customers gives us a unique perspective and drive. We understand the context in which our customers are working, and our products and services are geared to helping libraries work to a wider agenda of modernisation, e-government, best value and social inclusion".

The new system will be up and running by the end of 2002 and provides an advanced technological platform for the delivery of new services in the future.

For further information please contact Talis Information Ltd, Birmingham Research Park, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2SQ, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 121 471 1179; Fax: +44 (0) 121 472 0298; E-mail: info@talis.com; URL: www.talis.com