PC Reservation Architecture

Overview

PC Reservation is unique because it links directly to ILS borrower databases, LDAP, or other sources for validation instead of creating and using secondary patron databases (although a secondary or separate database is an option).
No separate database to manage - no special patron management software to learn.

PC Reservation auto discovers components and supports DHCP for Clients.
It practically configures itself.

Distributed processing means that Clients can operate stand-alone* or connected to a Management Console. Each branch can operate independently. (Don't let the competition lead you astray, we don't require dedicated hardware at the branches.) There is no single point of failure in a branch or in a system.
PC Reservation operates at the same speed whether serving a library with 5 computers or 5,000 computers, and it's impossible to experience an outage beyond the limits of a single building.

While EnvisionWare was founded to serve the needs of small to midsized libraries, the architecture has been remarkably well suited to large systems. Performance is unmatched, which is why EnvisionWare services many of the largest libraries in the United States. The same software provides the same features to the smallest libraries because of our scaled pricing structure.

All time management products require some form of Client component and PC Reservation is no exception. In the case of PC Reservation, the Client is intelligent enough to operate independently in case of a network failure and it also performs all of its timing functions to maintain efficient network bandwidth. EnvisionWare Clients auto-update when new versions are posted by the system administrator. PC Reservation client configurations are centrally managed from the Management Console.
No local configurations to update or maintain.

* To support the potential for a network or PC outage, Clients fall back to a stand-alone mode and will continue to function in a special standby mode until the connection to the branch Management Console is restored. 

Direct Link to ILS instead of Separate Patron Database

For the most part, 3rd party vendors like EnvisionWare depend on SIP/SIP2 as the method of connecting to an ILS borrower database. SIP provides validation of barcode, fine and other patron status but the SIP "standard" does not provide for patron type, age, and other information that is required for a time and access management system.

Other companies chose to develop separate patron databases, some of which would synchronize with the ILS via SIP so that added fields could be manually maintained for age, group, patron type, Internet Filtering, and other criteria. EnvisionWare's approach was different because our distribution model is different. We provide products through regional resellers and we also market through major ILS vendors. As such, we have a direct channel to ILS developers. So we asked the ILS vendors if they would agree to customize SIP by adding age, patron type, and some other information to their standard SIP messages. Nearly everyone agreed. Since it's not standard, all the interfaces are different but we worked with each vendor to certify and test our interface for the enhanced data. The result is that we uniquely connect DIRECTLY to the ILS patron database without an intermediary patron database. No secondary database means less maintenance, lower cost, and reduced concerns over patron privacy. Is it an extra burden on your ILS server? No. A SIP validation transaction is less work than an OPAC lookup.
The net result is a much higher degree of reliability, the absence of yet another server to maintain, and slightly better cost than some of our competition. Of course the performance is better too because we are connecting directly to the ILS.

So there's no server?

If you want a server you can have a server. EnvisionWare is committed to customer choice, so our architecture provides lots of options for customers. Our SQL database which runs on Windows, Linux, UNIX, Solaris, and other platforms, is an option that can be used to centrally store statistics and to enforce global policies among other services. What's interesting is that it can work passively so that a network communication failure to the server has absolutely no impact on the operation of your enterprise network operation.

Installation, DHCP, Subnets

When you run the PC Reservation Client Windows installer, the Client automatically discovers the Management Console in the branch and reports its IP address and computer name. The system administrator (locally or centrally) can then automatically configure the Client with a friendly name. If the IP address changes the system handles it automatically. (Note: The Management Console is a reference or circ PC in most libraries.)

On a LAN with multiple subnets, auto discover will not work due to inherent routing constraints. In this case the Client will not "see" the Management Console and will ask for an IP address of the console. The administrator needs only enter the IP address one time and the multiple subnets are handled from that point hence.

Reservation Stations and Staff Consoles work the same way, automatically configuring themselves at startup.

More Information

More information is available from an EnvisionWare reseller or from one of our Regional offices.

7 Ways to Sign up for a Computer

Libraries across the nation and around the world are unique. Each library has its own special requirements to serve a diverse community of borrowers. To address diversity, EnvisionWare offers a variety of choices in the Seven Ways to Sign up for a Computer.

1. At a Self-Service Reservation Station (TROL-TV video : Watch the patron experience)
- Select NEXT AVAILABLE or Future Reservation
- Scan a library card (authenticated), Guest ID (authenticated), or enter a name
- Select the Area or "Function"
- Accept the Reservation
- Print a Receipt (if desired)

2. Walk up Directly to the Client PC
- Click on the @Client Reservation Link
- Borrower enters Library Card, Guest ID, or Name
- Accept the Immediate use of the PC

3. On the Web
- Enter Library Card and PIN, or Guest ID and PIN
- Select an Area or Function
- Select a Day and Time
- Accept the Reservation
- Print Receipt

4. Via touch-tone Telephone
- Select a Branch
- Enter Library Card and PIN
- Select an Area or Function
- Select a Day and Time
- Accept the Reservation

5. At the Branch Management Console
- Click on Make a Reservation
- Select NEXT AVAILABLE or Future Reservation
- Scan the library card or enter a name (Override if a guest or exception)
- Select an Area or Function, or a Specific PC
- Accept or Change Language and Filtering Preferences
- Confirm the Reservation
- Print a Receipt for the borrower

6. At any Staff Station
- Click on Make a Reservation
- Select NEXT AVAILABLE or Future Reservation
- Scan the library card or enter a name (Override if a guest)
- Select an Area or Function, or a Specific PC
- Accept or Change Language and Filtering Preferences
- Confirm the Reservation
- Print a Receipt for the borrower if desired

7. At an LPT:One Print Release Terminal or Kiosk
- The self-service Reservation Module can be configured to share functionality on a Print Release Terminal, OneStop^TM or Renaissance^TM Self-service Station, leveraging your PC hardware investment.

Filtering

EnvisionWare Filtering Options

Libraries that need to dynamically control filtering will appreciate the breadth of options available for PC Reservation. PC Reservation will dynamically enable/disable filtering based on patron type, age, and other criteria in the ILS (circulation system). This option works with any proxy-based filtering system.

If you presently use or are aware of a preferred system in which the filtering database operates on a hardware device independent of your firewall, it is probably a proxy-based solution. PC Reservation does not control filtering when filtering software is installed on each PC. Some of the more popular solitions include SmoothWall, Bess SmartFilter and other proxy systems. For customers requiring a turnkey solution from EnvisionWare, we offer the EnvisionWare Network Content Manager.

Some libraries want more granular control such as multiple filtering profiles that apply to different levels of users. This is termed Profile-based Filtering in PC Reservation. If you own or purchase an 8e6 Technologies R3000 series unit, you can implement virtually unlimited filtering profiles. PC Reservation will dynamically switch to different profiles as each user logs in, giving you virtually unlimited filtering control. Hundreds of customers have migrated from legacy solutions that used the 8e6 systems and found PC Reservation to be a remarkable upgrade in versatilty and reliability.

 

ILS Compatibility

ILS Interoperability - Partners (All Enhanced SIP2)

These companies are EnvisionWare strategic partners and work directly with EnvisionWare on certification, testing, enhancements, and development.

Infor Advance

Infor Plus

Infor Vubis

Polaris Galaxy

PolarisEnhanced SIP2

SirsiDynix Dynix

SirsiDynix Horizon

SirsiDynix Classic (DRA)

SirsiDynix Unicorn

SirsiDynix Symphony

TLC Library.Solution

TLC CARL.Solution

TLC CARL.X

ILS Interoperability - Testing Programs

These companies have a formal program under which EnvisionWare has been tested:

• Evergreen - Enhanced SIP2
• VTLS
• Alpha-Graphics Verso

ILS Interoperability - Customer Facilitated

EnvisionWare has developed these interfaces in collaboration with users. These companies may not offer interoperability testing to 3rd party companies however, EnvisionWare systems are installed using these interfaces at customer sites.

• Follett ODBC
• SIP2 & Innovative Patron API
• SIP2
• Spydus SIP2

LDAP Support for Academic Installations

• LDAP
• Active Directory
• Novell eDirectory

Intelligent Scheduling Architecture

Whether you manage your PC's with a clipboard or one of the legacy automatic time systems, patrons don't like to waste time waiting in line. EnvisionWare's unique Intelligent Scheduling Architecture (ISA) gives patrons the ability to make choices about their use while enforcing your library's computer policy.

The process involves a simple 3 or 4-click wizard that guides a user in the selection of a resource. This isn't a traditional day-timer approach or a simple queue, it's a sophisticated software application that provides the most intuitive patron sign up process in the industry for over 5,000 libraries.

PC Reservation® allows patrons to validate their library card directly against your existing patron database, an independent database, or an auto-expiring unique guest ID system. The user then selects the AREA such as Children's, Internet, Word Processing, or "Any." PC Reservation automatically locates the next available PC matching the user's AREA choice and gives him or her a specific time to use a computer. If there's a wait, the patron is free to browse your new books or grab a quick cup of coffee and then return at the assigned time to use the PC. While that provides added convenience for most patrons, others will appreciate the additional ISA features. During operation, as users sign in and out of the system, the unique adaptive logic provides other options automatically. If a patron doesn't want to wait the amount of time required for a "full session," the system can also provide the choice for a shorter session for immediate use - automatically. Of course, the queue model is still supported and patrons can either start a session early at their assigned PC, or sit at an unused seat and allow PC Reservation to automatically swap the assigned full session later for whatever time is available now at that PC. You can even set a policy to exempt short sessions from the user’s total session limits. All of this happens without the inherent problems associated with a dynamic queue that forces patrons to wait in line or potentially lose their turn because they didn’t wait and watch the queue. The sign at the right is from a library that had so many patron complaints from lost turns that they converted from their queue-based system to EnvisionWare, took down this sign, and received high praise from their user community.

The exclusive Rules Wizard allows you to decide in advance who can use what resource, how filtering is managed by age or patron type, and whether someone can sign up if he or she owes fines. Nearly every system setting is customizable to the area level so that end of session warning messages in reference can be traditional "Your session is about to end in 5 minutes" and children's messages can say "Tick tock - Tick tock, Time's almost up." You can customize all the words on every screen and you can do it in multiple languages that the patron can select on-the-fly.

EnvisionWare's exclusive distributed processing architecture ensures that no single device can create a system-wide outage, each component can act independently, and network bandwidth isn't significantly impacted by the new system. Although distributed, the system can easily be managed centrally from EnvisionWare Central Management-enabled administrator PC’s. The input of over a thousand librarians is evident in the incredible customization capability, all of which happens with the click of a mouse. Change setttings easily to experience different behavior and then restore your default configuration with one click. Manage the system yourself, our use EnvisionWare's optional managed service.

EnvisionWare is the only developer to adopt the Agile process which ensures rapid delivery of new features in a well tested system. Users often see their suggestions implemented in just 30 days after submission. Our new test-driven approach is an industry first in the library community. We write tests for each code function and then write the code. As a change is made or new feature is added, all prior tests must pass. Tests are run every 10-15 minutes during development.

Working in partnership with a global sales team of over 50 professionals and a support team that includes 35 developers and field engineers, EnvisionWare has the technical and pre-sales resources to sustain rapid growth and to continue providing the highest level of personalized service.

The PC Reservation design places equal emphasis on patron time, staff time, and resource utilization. The result is a balanced system that reduces staff involvement in public PC management, provides the freedom and consideration of patron's valuable time, and ensures that all of your PC’s are in use all the time. Couple PC Reservation with EnvisionWare's LPT:One™ for print management, and Launch Command® for desktop application launching and metering, and you have One Suite Solution. Add EnvisionWare’s BarcodePlus® payment system and web-enabled credit card services for an integrated payment system. Or, you can purchase a la carte to obtain the products that deliver the right features to match your needs and your budget.

Check out our commitment to the open publication of information on this website, or join the open user list serve. This story continues by selecting the link below.

Module Overview

PC Reservation® Module Overview

PC Reservation is a modular, highly scalable product designed to adapt to a variety of needs and applications. It fits equally well in a library with two PC's and in an enterprise deployment with hundreds of branches and thousands of computers.

Because the same product fits in multiple applications at various price levels, there are different modules that adapt the system to fit each institution's needs. The system is licensed by public computers and buildings. Web Module and AAM provided separately.

This section is designed to provide an overview of the purpose of each module, its dependence on other modules, and licensing requirements and restrictions.

PC Reservation Client Module
Installed on each public computer
Windows 98: 64MB
Windows NT, 2000, 2003, XP, Citrix, Terminal Services: 128MB
Counts minutes
Controls access
Displays graphical timer/control panel, warning messages
Can display usage policies and other messages
Can operate stand alone or with a Management Console (licensed separately)
Licensed per seat
Requires one time installation and auto updates from Management Console thereafter
Provides multiple user-selected languages

PC Reservation Management Console
Installed on (1) staff PC at each branch (typical)
Windows 98: 256MB
Windows NT, 2000, XP: 512MB
Provides user interface for manual reservations, view PC status, changing system preferences, and overrides.
Includes Reporting Module
Can be centrally managed (included)
Can link live to ILS via SIP, ODBC, or API or campus authority via LDAP
Can store statistics locally and in SQL database

PC Reservation Self Service Reservation Station Module
Optionally installed on dedicated PC's for self service sign up
May be installed on LPT:One print Release Stations
Windows 98: 64MB
Windows NT, 2000, XP: 128MB
Provides self service sign up for next available PC and advance/future reservations.
Included with building license.

PC Reservation Staff Managed Reservation Station Module
Optionally installed on staff computers
Windows 98: 64MB
Windows NT, 2000, XP: 128MB
Provides staff management of reservations, PC status and control.
Included with building license.

Web Module for PC Reservation
Installed on web server to provide web-enabled reservations
Generally installed on existing web server/OPAC web server
Imposes minimal impact on web server
Administrator can designate which areas may be reserved via the web
Contact a strategic partner or Regional Sales Manager for information.

Authentication and Accounting Module (AAM)
Optional accounting database and statistical/usage repository
Provides repository for central statistical history and used to enforce system-wide usage restrictions for PC Reservation.
Credit accounts
Allocation accounts (free pages)
Other functions

PC Reservation Reporting Module

The PC Reservation Reporting Module generates 26 unique statistical reports at the click of a mouse. The reporting tool exports data into HTML reports and into csv files that may be further manipulated using Excel. Sites using the AAM to store Central History may find Crystal Reports to be a convenient tool for reporting on statistical data centrally.

Here is a general overview of the information provided by the PC Reservation Reporting Module:
-PC Usage by PC Area
-by PC ID
-by Patron ID
-by Date
-by Month
-by Day of Week

In each of these categories you may limit your report by date range and then include/exclude the following:
-Session timeouts
-Inactivity timeouts
-Early close
-Forced close

Reports provide average session length, total use, and other information.

A demographic feature permits you to store data from your ILS in your PC Reservation system. For example, if your ILS provides access to patron type, you might store information about the number of JUV uses in your system. A library that supports age might record the number of users under 13 that used the library on weekdays.

PC Reservation Small Library Edition

PC Reservation® Small Library Edition

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Powerful - Easy to Install - Affordable

Our first PC Reservation customer was Newton County Library in Covington, Georgia. Over the years we have installed PC Reservation in thousands of libraries of all sizes. Sure, we talk about big libraries like New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and others, but 80% of our installations are small to midsized libraries.

Our pricing scales to fit the size of each library but for some reason, perhaps the versatility and power of our system, smaller organizations perceive PC Reservation as beyond their reach. The price is NOT the limiting factor. There are libraries with PC Reservation installations that spent less than $1,000. So what then, besides touting some of our larger libraries has caused organizations with smaller budgets to think our systems are beyond their reach?

Installation?

Moving from a clipboard to an electronic system is a big leap regardless of product. Migrating from a legacy or non-working system to a new product also requires help. In all of our quotations, we provide choices for installation because we know that a change in public service model is a big switch. But perhaps the price or scale of our services makes it seem like our products are complex. The fact is, that the bulk of time we spend discussing implementation with a customer leverages our experience as librarians and focuses more on library policy and 'getting ready,' and less on preferences or technology. We're experts at public self-service and we know the impact that any new system can have on the public and the library staff.

With Small Library Edition (SLE), you can:

• Install it yourself - a library with 10 PCs takes less than an hour
• Install on existing computers - no extra hardware or server required - most small libraries operate on an existing reference or circulation PC
• Have it installed remotely via the Internet
• Engage our on-site services to deploy, help with deployment, train staff, or train the trainer.

Complexity?

With great versatility comes the potential for complexity. There are over 600 settings in PC Reservation that could permutate to over a million configurations. With feedback from thousands of librarians and a commitment to customer choice, there are bound to be limitless configurations. The vast majority of our customers want a system that is configured to fit their exact needs. Many say that moving to a PC automation system is similar in concept to moving to an automated library system. We must consider library policy, patron orientation, customer service, and we must make good use of the investment by capitalizing on the power of the technology. That's why the majority of our libraries engage our staff of Implementation Consultants - the largest staff in the industry.

But Small Library Edition comes preconfigured. We've taken eight years of experience and the analysis of customer profiles around the globe to define a 'typical' configuration. You can accept the SLE defaults and you're up and running - or you can change settings to fit your needs with the advice of our consultants or with help from the thousands of customers that participate on our customer list server.

How does PC Reservation Small Library Edition Differ from 'PC Reservation'?

• The product is identical.
• The packaging includes typical defaults so it's ready to run.
• Installation can be on your own or with whatever level of assistance you choose. We don't include our system policy development process because this package is preconfigured. If you want the flat fee service, that's your choice.
• There are NO SACRIFICES. You get the same product used by over 5,500 libraries worldwide in a pre-configured, downloadable package that's ready to run. You can change settings, adapt to your needs, and make the system work like it comes out of the box, or like the library system down the street or in another state.
• SLE is a downloadable, preconfigured package. It takes less than 10 minutes to install the Management Console. To connect to your ILS, pick the system from the dropdown list and enter the server address - voila! - you have a certified connection. In just a couple of minutes per PC you can install the Clients and Reservation Station(s). There is no limit to the number of Reservation Stations you can install and they don't have to be dedicated computers. You can have the most powerful, versatile solution for public PC management in full operation in under an hour.
• And of course, you get piece of mind. We have the LARGEST support staff in the industy, operating extended hours (even 24x7). You get full access to our on-line knowledge base, a customer web portal, unlimited support incidents, the most active user to user list serve in the business, and regular, predictable updates you can download at your convenience every 60-90 days. The same Professional Services staff serves the needs of all libraries, so that consulting services are available to you as they are with any other EnvisionWare product, at a price model that is completely under your control. Small Library Edition includes EnvisionWare Silver Support.
• You also get an upgrade path to incorporate our self-service fine payment software, the option to incorporate the MOST AFFORDABLE self check out software in the industry, and a seamless upgrade path to RFID, print management, and many other self-service solutions.

Celebrate our TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

Now through the end of March, purchase PC Reservation or the PC Reservation Small Library Edition and save 10%.

We want your business and we appreciate your consideration of our products.

Product History

This page provides a brief summary of major PC Reservation development milestones. Detailed information is published in the printed and electronic manuals provided with licensed products.

First Installation [2000]
Newton County Library. (18) Clients, (1) Management Console, (1) Reporting Module.

Dynamic Filtering Control [2000]
EnvisionWare introduced the first open architecture solution for controlling any proxy-based filter, allowing libraries to easily enable/disable filtering per session.

Granular control by area [2001]
Version 2.2 provided unique session lengths, color schemes, and other settings for each AREA within a branch.

PC Res at PLA/'Phoenix Release' [2/2002]
Phoenix Public Library was the host and had just successfully launched PC Reservation. Thousands of librarians saw the product in action at the reception and viewed the first public viewing of the 'Phoenix Release'.

Connection Manager / AAM Database [12/2002]
A few customers needed validation without linking live to a library circulation system resulting in EnvisionWare's development of a link to the AAM Access or SQL database in Version 2.3.

Patron API Introduced [2/2003]
In addition to ODBC, SIP, and SIP2, a Patron API ILS link was added to PC Reservation in version 2.4.

Guest Handling System [2/2003]
Version 2.4 also provided a special guest handling system and separate rules for guests.

First Agile Release [2/2003]
Version 2.4 was EnvisionWare's first release under the Agile model to provide frequent releases of small sets of features so that customers could have quick access to needed enhancements instead of waiting the traditional 6-9 month period for a major release.

Central History/Global Restrictions [3/2003]
Central history permitted multi branch systems to aggregate statistical information in a central SQL database. Libraries that prefer to enforce a system wide usage restriction could now implement this policy.

Last Name Validation [6/2003]
Version 2.8 provided last name validation in addition to PIN and barcode. A forced display of the use policy was added at the Client allowing users to specify a preferred method of displaying the information.

User Filtering Choice [1/2004]
Adding to the powerful capabilities of Dynamic Filtering Control, a new enhancement was delivered that provided the option to set a rule based upon age, type and other ILS criteria so that a patron could choose to turn filtering on or off.

Demographic Reporting[2004]
Statistical reporting was enhanced by the addition of criteria stored from the ILS that provides demographic analysis of PC utilization.

First Release of EnvisionWare Next Generation Code [6/2004]
EnvisionWare Next Generation represents new technology and a new way of creating product. Uniquely, customers will MIGRATE to Next Generation and not have to UPGRADE. EnvisionWare customers received the first installment of ENG in this release.

Privacy Modes [7/2004]
Responding to U.S. concerns over the PATRIOT Act, a new Privacy Mode was added that allows administrators to control what data is displayed in addition to the already existing capability to overwrite barcodes nightly. Libraries can configure the system to protect patron privacy such that staff cannot see which computer was used or even if a borrower was in the library on the current day.

Computer Use Policy Control [7/2004]
Administrators could now configure the system to display a word, text, or HTML document at Client login. The policy settings allow the Decline action to prohibit all use, disable Internet access, or apply a filtering setting.

SIP and API Enhancements [9/2004]
The EnvisionWare Rules Wizard which creates and manages access and filtering policies was enhanced to support a dynamic date variable, SIP was enhanced to permit rules based upon any ILS screen message as well as added support for Dynix custom fields, the III Patron API was updated to support DOT date separators. Other features in this release included a broadcast message for closing, group reservation deletion, and statistical data to log where a reservation was made.

LDAP [2/2005]
EnvisionWare released the LDAP interface for Management Consoles. The system requires no special gateway service. Each module connects to the network and uses LDAP server information to access and validate student users.

Citrix Support [5-9/2005]
The system was enhanced to natively support Citrix and Terminal Services with seamless integration of identical features on the same Client and Reservation Station. Other minor enhancements in this release included the recording of canceled reservations in history, option to ignore idle timeout for area reservations, TLC Enhanced SIP support was enhanced for the custom patron type data, user ID's longer than 24 characters added, update for the Patron API to deal with normalized user ID, anonymous logins for LDAP tree, major performance optimizations for large sites with twenty or more branches.

Minute Tracking [9/2005]
In addition to the legacy approach to limiting by sessions, PC Reservation 3.0 was enhanced to provide minute tracking. This new feature allows libraries to permit unlimited turns but establish a daily minute quota for users. The quota can be enforced per branch or system-wide, consistent with prior session limit behavior. Other minor enhancements in this update included the ability to decide whether to count x calendar days in advance for future reservations or count x open days, a new status was added to the Client to show "Unavailable Due to Closing Time" when there are less than 10 minutes to close,

Time Vending [9/2005]
This new release allows libraries and colleges to charge for time. The library can set a rate per minute and make a number of new policy decisions relative to charging for time. The system operates in session limit mode or time limit mode and uses the charging mechanism for minutes as the overriding limiting factor. Other updates in this release included support for Horizon's new SIP system introduced in 7.4.

Profile-based Dynamic Filtering [9/2005]
In addition to the legacy approach to Dynamic Filtering that interoperates with any proxy-based solution, a major new enhancement was added to the 3.x series that supports unlimited filtering profiles for Radius-based filtering systems. Administrators could create rules to establish filtering rules per patron type or other criteria returned via SIP the Patron API, or AAM database. Users migrating from a competitive solution found directly compatible support for their current hardware platform with added enhancements that provide the unlimited profiles plus the legacy features in Dynamic Filtering and policy control.

One-Click Guest Management [ 6/2006]
Designed using feedback from Nashville Public Library and other existing customers, EnvisionWare created a simple button that engages a powerful guest management system. At the touch of a button, a barcode and PIN guest pass is printed with privileges that can be the same as patron policies, or completely unique.

Enhanced Web Module; VTLS Support [12/2006]
New features added to the Web Module for viewing and cancelling reservations.  Support for the VTLS enhanced SIP2 protocol was added,

Dynamic Windows Profile Switching [3/2007]
Buffalo Erie brought a great concept to EnvisionWare in the form of profile switching. As a user enters his or her barcode, the system validates and reads the Rules Wizard to determine an appropriate Windows Profile to match against a patron type (age, category, etc). Automatically, the Client invokes the Windows profile that matches the patrons profile in the ILS. Children use a CHILD desktop, Adults have a different desktop, different applications, and different permissions.

French Translation and Special PIN rules [4/2007]
PC Reservation delivered with French translation.   A new feature was added to provide access control when a patron's PIN is set with a library default.  This feature allowed libraries to require direct intervention with patrons when their ILS PIN had not be updated as required by library policy.

PC Reservation 3.4: Easier Installation - Auto-Graphics - More [1/2008]
New installers were released to provide consistent use of Windows Add/Remove Programs.  Among the features in the new installers: easier, more intuitive installation choices, silent installers,hotfix support (install/rollback), automatic license integration, and other features that provide a more seamless installation experience and reduce dramatically, the dependence on installation documentation.  Other enhancements include reservation table optimization; support for Auto-Graphics Verso enhanced SIP2; launching of the Self-Service Reservation Station in a dynamic default language.

Note, these features are not all-inclusive and do not represent minor updates or maintenance releases.   

Would you like to learn more?

There are lots of options available to you to learn more about PC Reservation® and our other products. Click Here to contact our sales group.

Web Presentation

Our staff can schedule a web conference so that you and your staff can see the software in action. This is the easiest and fastest way to see the software in action. (We don't use slides, we show the REAL software working on our machines.) The link at the bottom of the page will take you to the request form.

Download a Demo

Download the fully functional software package and try it for yourself. One of our representatives or a representative from one of our strategic partners will help you with the installation of a download package so that you can try the system and see for yourself how easy it is to install and to experience the world's most intuitive and powerful print management system for libraries and campuses.

Live Presentation

Some customers need on-site presentations. We will bring the REAL software (or hardware within practical limits) to your facility and demonstrate live to you and your staff. Maybe you would like to host colleagues from nearby libraries and provide a library self service technology seminar.

Expanded Evaluation

Our Expanded Evaluation Program is a program in which one of our Sales Group Systems Engineers will guide you step-by-step through a complete evaluation of our system.

No Risk Purchase

All EnvisionWare software comes with an unconditional 30-day money back guarantee. Thus you can use the standard installation process, engaging our Professional Services Group in the complete installation process. This way you can see the product live in your library or your campus and experience unparalleled ease of use in a print cost management system. If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied, you pay nothing.

Visit A Nearby User

With over 5,500 sites using EnvisionWare's PC Reservation, there's probably a PC Reservation user nearby. A complete, unedited list of all customers is available on our web site. Contact our sales group to obtain the Private Customer Access password which gives you access to a wealth of additional information about our products and gives access to our customer list.

Join Our List Serve

We host one of the most active user-to-user list serves in our industry. Customers and prospective customers exchange ideas relating to EnvisionWare products and to public computer management. The list is open to anyone (except competitors) so join and find out directly from our users what it's like to be an EnvisionWare customer.

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