This inclusion of data records from an external database makes the capture of new documents much easier, as it reduces internal cataloging to a minimum. Double work is eliminated and a continuously high quality of data records is ensured. The distributed search by means of ZACK is carried out in several databases in parallel. The user can then decide for himself from which database to include data records . In practice, a distributed search has produced far better results than the search in one particular database.
Response times are within an acceptable limit for the user.
The short list of hits is made clearer and more concise by the duplicate check. The system ZACK developed in this diploma thesis, however, offers, for the first time, the possibility to search simultaneously in several databases of different libraries and to carry out an online duplicate check. The only precondition is a web browser, i.e., software which is available on nearly every computer. For each user, on the basis of the IP address individual settings can be made as to which databases access is allowed and whether he is authorized to include data records in his own database. ZACK is bilingual.