When ABN started life, only a few Australian libraries were using computer systems for these processes. Cataloguing and document delivery were largely manual operations. The National Library was a significant source of cataloguing records for Australian libraries, through the provision of catalogue cards and MARC records. Nearly twenty years later, Kinetica's business environment is quite different. Everywhere cataloguing is an automated activity.
Good quality cataloguing data is readily available.
Most libraries have local systems to integrate their acquisitions, cataloguing and circulation activities. Many libraries obtain their cataloguing data from library suppliers, who offer 'MARC with books' services. Many local systems have their own Z39.50 client software which may be used to target other systems for cataloguing and location information. Library staff and their clients are heavy Internet users, and are requesting rapid links from citation data to full text data or document requesting systems. In this environment Kinetica has defined its core business as resource sharing for Australian libraries.