The Library has chosen FE Technologies as preferred vendor to provide our RFID solution (this still has to go to the tender panel).

FE Technologies has been chosen because their RFID offerings provide the best functional and technical solution to the Library. They can provide, off the shelf, a wider range of equipment and functionality to suit the span of requirements of our libraries. Their solution proved to be the best at handling multiple items and dealing with exceptions – mainly due to the efficient way they integrate with the Library Management Systems, including Horizon. They can also provide a smart bin for returning items at Central. Additionally, their Sort Assistant for returning items will benefit other UC libraries. They are the only company that can provide multiple levels of security within a library, and this will allow the Central Library and may assist MB to have an area for self-service hourly loans or special collections. They have experience supporting the RFID standard FDIS 28560 parts 1 and 2, and will be able to provide the data model ready for tagging within a week. The chosen data model will allow for further innovation later, and the Library will not be dependent on one vendor in the future. They also have the best conversion process on offer, and although this was not a deciding factor in the decision, it is important in allowing us to meet the 15 February 2011 deadline for the Central Library conversion.

I am pleased to announce that Fiona Tyson will be the Conversion Coordinator. She will be managing the conversion project on the ground and will be liaising and communicating with other library staff. Fiona starts work tomorrow.

We have already started working with FE Technologies on the data model and files needed for the conversion which will start next week. We are expecting one conversion unit on Monday and another two units on Wednesday. FE will provide training next week, probably Wednesday. Next week we will be testing the conversion methods using the existing staff employed by Central. The conversion staff will start on the 29th November and will work in 3 shifts covering 8.00am-6.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am-5.00pm Saturday. The conversion will initially concentrate on Central, but we will convert EPS material where possible and if there are spare resources, then parts of Education will also be tagged.

Cheers, Anne