Smarter libraries through Technology: Global Organizations Serve Local Libraries

摘要

As I carried out the research for the feature article in this issue of Smart Libraries Newsletter, I was reminded of the everincreasing extent to which library automation has become a global industry. I see a definite trend where products or companies that serve a specific region are being absorbed by global organizationsincluding both commercial companies and non-profit organizations. The back issues of this newsletter chronicle the mergers and acquisitions in the library automation industry, and it seems like they almost always move in the direction of local companies becoming integrated into larger international entities. In addition to the business transactions involving OCLC mentioned in this issue, examples of other international companies that have brought local products or companies into their folds include Innovative Interfaces (acquired LIBERTAS from SLS in 1997) , Ex Libris (acquired DABIS in 1997, Voyager from Endeavor in 2006). Infor and Axiell have likewise absorbed other systems over the years, though they have had more regional than global impact. In some cases, such as with Ex Libris, it's not so much a matter of absorbing local companies, but a merger of companies that have already established international reach, with complementary products and different areas of geographic market strength.