Biblio Tech Review is planning a more detailed review of some of the products mentioned here for a future issue. Fretwell-Downing Informatics officially launched the new VDXrequest option for OLIB7 at the recent Library and Information Show, Birmingham, England. This new functionality combines end-user document requesting facilities with comprehensive request management functionality. End users can place requests, using OLIB7 s WebView interface, for items found from the local database or via Z39.50 remote database searches. The request screen is automatically completed with the details from the retrieved record, and the user details appended by the system.
Users can then check the progress of requests from their desktop.
Alternatively, blank request forms can be completed onscreen. A key feature of VDXrequest is its ability to auto-suggest where requests may be satisfied from, which is particularly useful for journal requests. The system will check the information entered in a request against the journal holdings information, and present a list of potential sources. WorldView standard search and reporting facilities are available enabling staff to process requests effectively and manage supplier responses. The system allows requests between library branches in addition to supporting ISO ILL protocols for external message transfer, which ensures compatibility with a wide range of suppliers including The British Library via ARTemail.