Collecting, Organizing, and Distributing Electronic Information

The Electronic Reference Library (ERL) from SilverPlatter

June 27, 1994 -- The Electronic Reference Library (ERL) is SilverPlatter's
solution for providing Wide Area Network (WAN) access to all major
databases via TCP/IP. Utilizing open systems design, ERL offers librarians
the ability to create an electronic library by collecting, organizing, and
distributing increasing amounts of electronic information across
institutional or cross-consortium networks. ERL beta software is currently
available on a controlled release basis to interested institutions.

Based on client/server architecture, ERL has two software components: the
ERL clients (retrieval interface) and the ERL servers (search engine). ERL
compliant databases are mounted on one or more UNIX servers and are
searched on the user's choice of platform: DOS, Windows, or Macintosh. By
using client/server architecture, ERL offers users the ability to choose
their preferred retrieval interface to access any ERL compliant product,
regardless of the server platform.

ERL is designed around SilverPlatter's Data eXchange Protocol (DXP), which
standardizes the communication between the ERL clients and servers. DXP
specifies retrieval functionality, including Boolean searching, Thesauri,
Hot Links, and multi-database searching, guaranteeing that ERL retrieval
clients maintain the search functionality of their stand-alone
counterparts.

SilverPlatter has developed programs to make ERL technology available for
software and OPAC vendors who want to either write ERL compliant retrieval
clients, or develop gateways from their Z39.50 clients to ERL compliant
databases. Tape lease providers and other information providers may choose
to distribute their databases in ERL compliant form. Through these
programs, ERL offers a new channel for distributing information products
to users worldwide with increased functionality and data security.

With this approach SilverPlatter hopes to foster the cooperative
development of retrieval software and database products throughout the
electronic publishing industry.

SilverPlatter designed ERL as a database networking solution for libraries,
so it can be managed by a librarian, from his or her workstation, without
requiring systems expertise. Librarians can manage user accounts, database
administration, security, and usage statistics through a front end program
called ERLADMIN. The advanced level of statistics, which ERL maintains,
makes it possible to understand and serve the needs of differing user
groups across institutional or cross-consortium networks.

With over 200 ERL compliant databases already available, ERL enables the
organization of collections of electronic information for groups of users
with different information needs. A single Electronic Reference Library
supports multiple collections of media independent electronic information,
providing access only to appropriate, authorized users.

Launching ERL, Patty Harper, SilverPlatter's Software Marketing Manager
commented: "SilverPlatter's intention with ERL is to provide a system that
offers users a high level of functionality from their electronic
information resources. ERL features the capability to collect, organize,
and distribute vast volumes of information across networks as far reaching
as the internet, ensuring that the complete electronic library is no
longer a thing of the future".

The first release of ERL supports a SCO UNIX Server on an Intel platform
with SilverPlatter PC-SPIRS, WinSPIRS, and MacSPIRS retrieval clients.
Future releases of ERL will offer a Sun Solaris server and a UNIX
Character client. Other client and server platforms will follow.

SilverPlatter has installed ERL at locations in the United States and in
Europe. ERL beta software is now available on a controlled release basis
to interested institutions. Users requiring further information should
contact SilverPlatter Information or their local distributor. ERL software
is available at no additional charge to SilverPlatter subscribers.

SilverPlatter Information is a worldwide distributor of more than 200
electronic information products, including bibliographic, full text and
multi-media. This collection covers more than 175 different subject areas.
Over 80 internationally known information providers publish and distribute
their information through SilverPlatter. With over 10,000 institutions in
200 countries subscribing to these products, SilverPlatter remains
committed to delivering right information and right software to the
service of the international library community.

SilverPlatter Information, Inc. 
100 River Ridge Dr, Norwood, MA 02062-5026
1-800-343-0064 (U.S. and Canada) or 1-617-769-2599 
Fax: 1-617-769-8763

SilverPlatter Information
2802-2804 Admiralty Centre
Tower 1, 18 Harcourt Road
Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 529-0356
Fax: (852) 804-2746

SilverPlatter Information Ltd.
10 Barley Mow Passage
Chiswick London W4 4PH U.K.
Tel: +44(0) 81-995-8242 or 0800-262-096
Fax: +44(0) 81-995-5159

Internet: info@silverplatter.com

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