Background on WebPacPro

Today, some libraries want to enhance their online presence in ways that go beyond the traditional OPAC and the "library portal" model to better integrate the latest Web functionality. With WebPAC Pro, libraries will be able to take advantage of the latest Web technologies and engage Web-savvy users more effectively than ever before. WebPAC Pro will be the foundation for a number of new technologies, optional products, and enhancements to libraries that bring the OPAC to the next level:

RightResult™ Search Technology - Innovative is proud to introduce RightResult search as a part of the WebPAC Pro platform. RightResult search technology returns a grouped result set based on an advanced relevance-ranking algorithm developed by Innovative. The result is that the patron is most likely to find the title in question immediately and at the top of the results display. Over the past several development cycles, Innovative's development and product teams have been working on this new search functionality. In testing, it has demonstrated significant improvements in catalog search results.

Campus Integration - WebPAC Pro is the foundation for campus integration optional products that the company announced earlier this year including Single Sign-on, External Patron Verification (LDAP), and Courseware Integration for Blackboard®.

Advanced RSS Tools - While Innovative’s current OPAC offering allows libraries to place incoming RSS feeds into the public catalog, WebPAC Pro sets the stage for advanced RSS tools that make the library a publisher and increase patron convenience. Feed Builder is a new product that allows libraries to send Real Simple Syndication (RSS) data based on any Boolean query of the Millennium database. This means that libraries can publish their newest holdings so they can be accessed like a typical "blog" or news source through a feed reader. In addition, WebPAC Pro offers My Record Feeds, which will deliver patron-related information through RSS, such as holds placed or available items, in real time.

WebPAC Pro is a new software foundation that will be the basis for all major online catalog product development. It also establishes a foundation for future industry-standard implementations (including Web serving). And, in its tradition of offering a seamless migration path for its libraries, Innovative will offer WebPAC Pro as an option for existing customers that can be easily turned on and configured. The company will also continue to support its classic Web OPAC. In this way, libraries will be able to choose the complement of technologies they want to utilize online easily and without disruption.

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