Introduction
The Authentication and Accounting Module (AAM), is an optional product that works in conjunction with other EnvisionWare products to provide a variety of special services related to accounting and user validation. AAM is a set of TECHNOLOGY FEATURES plus the tools to create a database. In other words, AAM provides special capabilities for other products that are dependent on a centralized database. AAM does not include a database, it builds a database with back end available products. It is important to note that the database used with AAM is simply a data repository. The database does not contain any scripts or triggers. Some AAM users connect directly to an ILS for certain AAM functions.
Components
• AAM Database Administrator — creates a database structure in a MySQL database. It provides import and export utilities, SQL queries, and a method of creating and managing groups and individual users. The Administrator operates in an Admin mode to do all of the above, and a staff mode to create and modify users.
• AAM User Account Manager —a tool used by staff to add or deduct funds for a user, or in self-service mode a different interface permits a user to query his or her account balances and deposit funds into the account using a credit card (with eCommerce Services) or cash (using a vending device or Network Add Value Station).
• Web Query for AAM— a set of scripts that run on a web server to provide self-service or staff access to a variety of built-in reports including cash reconciliation, user account queries, daily transaction reports, and many others for use with MySQL databases. Note that some ILS users may use the ILS reporting system for certain reports.
The rest of the functionality is built into the individual products that take advantage of the AAM database.
What Does it Do?
One example might be a campus or a small library that owns an ILS (Integrated Library System) that cannot support SIP. The institution may wish to create users in an AAM database and use that database to validate users for the above products.
Another more common use is service as a repository of payment accounts. In most cases, we have no control over the actual validating authority database (such as a patron or student database). As such, we can validate against those sources but we cannot write financial transactions back to those systems. For this application we create a repository for funds accounts and link the data to a common user ID (barcode or student ID) which is the key for the AAM database and the ILS.
A third use is service as a central repository of data. LPT:One (print management), PC Reservation (time/access management), and BarcodePlus (account-based copier control) can write data to the AAM database which serves as a central repository of information. Advanced-level administrators can then create reports with common reporting tools for statistical analysis.
Why MySQL?
MySQL is powerful and easy to use. More importantly, it’s cross platform so you can install it on the operating system of your choice: Windows, Linux, UNIX. HP-UX, Solaris, and more. Some ILS vendors actually build the AAM structure into the primary patron server. There are no EnvisionWare components, scripts, or processes that run on an AAM database; it is used only as a data repository. For more information, visit www.mysql.com.
MySQL is used by Nokia, Scholastic, Yahoo, Associated Press, Facebook, Adobe, Wikipedia, del.icio.us, and hundreds of thousands more.
Using your ILS?
Some ILS vendors have developed a special interface using the EnvisionWare open extensions to facilitate direct access to an ILS-hosted deposit account. For those uses, the AAM back end may be the ILS database for certain functions.
NOTE: AAM also works with a a Jet or Access-style dabase with limited capabilites. Access may be used for testing or a lab setting but is not suggested for production environments hosting user funds.
AAM with BarcodePlus®
The advent of color copying increases the need for funds greater than a traditional coin-op can process. With an account-based solution like AAM, BarcodePlus can feed funds directly to a terminal at the copier so that a user may pay for copies by drawing off funds that are on deposit with the library or campus.
The AAM coupled with BarcodePlus also powers the Network Add Value Station so that users may put funds on deposit in a convenient, central location.
AAM with EnvisionWare eCommerce Services™
EnvisionWare eCommerce Services provides a way to pay for fines and process credit cards for various products. When used with eCommerce, funds on deposit may be used to pay library fines and charges over the minimum amount may be rolled over into the AAM account.
AAM with LPT:One™
When you activate AAM for LPT:One, on-line accounting is fully integrated. What’s more, if you’re using an ILS or LDAP-enabled database, the AAM user accounts are created automatically. LPT:One payment options will now include Deposit, Credit, and Allocation Accounts (used for free printing). These become added payment choices at a Print Release Terminal. You can also run without a PRT in a auto-release mode and allow debits or charges to post automatically as users release their print jobs from the LPT:One Client.
AAM with PC Reservation®
By itself, PC Reservation runs fine without the AAM. Some multi-branch libraries wanted to enforce a policy that allowed x uses per day system-wide. Instead of the inherent ability to control uses per branch, the added AAM capability allows libraries to control use on a global scale.
In addition, usage data can be written to the AAM for centralized reporting.
Some organizations charge for time, particularly customers in non-US countries. When the AAM is coupled with PC Reservation’s time vending feature, funds on deposit provide user-based accounting for time charging.
AAM with STS
The EnvisionWare Staff Transaction Station (STS)™ links with the AAM so that staff may accept AAM funds for fine payment. Staff can also deposit to an AAM account by accepting cash or a credit card. STS and AAM—Seamless cash management.
Consortia Accounting
Unlike most multi-branch installations in which funds are shared and used across multiple libraries, consortia need to keep money separated by institution. By simply entering a Location Name in the AAM setup, the funds placed on deposit in a particular library or group of libraries may only be spent within that/those libraries. Consortia accounting requires the AAM Consortia license.
EnvisionWare has worked with several ILS vendors to integrate the AAM deposit account into the ILS deposit account. Using SIP for communications, the components in your system can retrieve and write deposit data with the AAM-enabled features by connecting directly to your patron database that hosts an internal deposit account. Check with EnvisionWare for compatible systems.
AAM licensing is provided as a Small Library Edition license ( a single building library), an Enterprise License for a centrally hosted database service multiple locations, or a Consortia Edition that permits multiple instances of a database.. Once you own an AAM license, you may use its features with any of the other products you own. If you are a consortia, you may activate the consortia accounting capabilities or you may allow individual libraries to operate their own databases. Remember, AAM is about technology and features, not about the database where it’s running. (AAM licensing supports the EnvisionWare functionality; costs for acquisition or maintenance of the backend database is not included in the AAM pricing.)
Auto-creation of user accounts, a wizard interface for point and click imports from legacy systems with pre-defined templates that allow you to choose the competitive system, then quickly import your data into an EnvisionWare system.
No limits: MySQL is supporting New York and Chicago Public right now, over 90 and 79 branches respectively. What’s more, it powers Google! The AAM with MySQL is power, ease of use, and low cost. What’s more, we’re "experts" so we can manage a system for our users with Central Management and our Managed Services option.