[Koha] RFID and Koha 2.2.2

[gsl]

Sorry, I don't have much other firm info to offer. I do know that 3M has 
an RFID system, but it may be Windows based too, and while I would 
expect it to be very good it's probably a bit pricey. Checkpoint has an 
RFID system, but as I recall it's also Windows based.

Treat these comments with a little caution, I haven't looked an them too 
closely recently; most of what I know except for Envisionware is just 
from me visiting booths at shows and being given informational 
literature. Also, I don't want to minimize Envisionware incorrectly; 
they really do have a very slick, well coordinated system. Part of the 
way they get it all to work together is that they specify a lot of the 
components of the system, which they have integrated to work right, but 
that does mean buying "stuff" from them and MS. Except for the MS 
lock-in I certainly have nothing bad to say about Envisionware, even 
their sales/support people seem pretty good.

Here are a few links:

http://www.ala.org/ala/lita/litamembership/litaigs/rfidtechnology/index.cfm
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/library/home/products/rfid_system/
http://www.checkpointsystems.com/
http://www.bibliothecarfid.com/

As Koha is just now getting off the ground it seems like a really 
opportune time for vendors of RFID and public access time/management 
systems to start working with it and establish good working 
relationships with the Koha support companies like LibLime and others.

Greg

--------------------------


Joann Ransom wrote:
> Hi Greg,
>  
> Thanks for that. We too run all Linux servers and Envisionware would 
> have to be splendidly better than its competitors before I took it to 
> our sys admin to seriously consider using it. Are thereother options 
> that you know of?
>  
> cheers Joann Ransom.
> /Horowhenua Library Trust./
> /New Zealand/
>
> On Sat, Jun 7, 2008 at 3:02 AM, gsl <gsl at rollinghills.lib.mo.us 
> <mailto:gsl at rollinghills.lib.mo.us>> wrote:
>
>     Joann:
>
>     Sorry I don't have any specific information I can offer, but as a
>     general comment I've liked what I've seen of demos of the Bibliotheca
>     RFID system. I've also looked at, and played with, Envisionware
>     quite a
>     bit. Envisionware certainly has the appearance of having put all their
>     components together nicely, but they are completely Microsoft
>     OS-centric
>     (for the systems I've looked at). We are very much Linux here, so
>     we've
>     never purchased any of their products. With Envisionware it was
>     always a
>     matter of buying Yet Another Server, and I don't want to add any more
>     servers, especially MS ones, even VM, to our network room.
>
>     Greg
>     Rolling Hills Consolidated Library
>     -----------------------------------------------
>
>     Joann Ransom wrote:
>     > Hi there,
>     >
>     > We are running Koha 2.2.2. <http://2.2.2./> <http://2.2.2
>     <http://2.2.0.2/>.> We wish to move to a RFID
>     > ystem for self issuing, auto-returning and minor sorting, and stock
>     > counting reasons.
>     >
>     > I have read through literature from EnvisionWare, TechLogicand
>     > Bibliotheca.
>     >
>     > I am very impressed with the solutions offered by Envisionware,
>     > including the smart cardtype issues around topping up a card via
>     > crecit card or cash and using ir for internet access, photocopying,
>     > prinitng, issue charges etc. EnvisionWare apparently have clients
>     > running Evergreen, but they weren't sure about Koha.
>     >
>     > So my question is, do any libraries out there running 2.0.x have any
>     > comments, observations or advice they would be willing to share
>     about
>     > RFID vendors and systems in relation to Koha.
>     >
>     > regards,
>     >
>     > Joann Ransom.
>     > Horowhenua Library Trust.
>     > New Zealand.
>
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