WebGENCAT v4.2.0e Release

Vancouver, BC – September 30, 2009 – Eloquent Systems is pleased to announce the official release of WebGENCAT v4.2.0, the multi-dimensional database engine. At the same time an upgrade to the Eloquent WebSuite will be made available. The Beta version of this release has been in use by customers, including customers using the Software-as-a-Service, for several months and has been proven very stable.

Customers receive the following major enhancements in this version:

1. Progressive Search
   This new search engine utilizes the latest in Internet Browser technology to create a very “user friendly” search facility. Previously, customers would provide three or more portals into the database to satisfy various levels of user sophistication. With the new version a single portal presents a single progressive portal.

   Most users need not progress beyond the simple Google-style keyword search to satisfy all their requirements, while experienced researchers are enticed to use advanced features for greater precision. They are given multiple access points, can pre-select authorized terminology as search parameters and can combine search terms with complex Boolean logic statements – including nesting. Their searches do not overwhelm them with irrelevant information.

   Some of the features for the new progressive search engine are listed below:

   1. Checkbox Option
      Various Yes/No data fields in a database can now be represented as a more intuitive checkbox access point.

   2. Top-level Dropdown
      Some support tables are arranged in a hierarchy of broader and narrower terms. For search purposes it may be desirable to use only the top or broadest as a search term, with the assumption that all lower levels are included. The top levels can now be offered as a dropdown access point.

   3. Saved Lists
      This is a “shopping cart” feature. Selected results from the Progressive Search can be saved to a list. Any number of lists may be named and saved for future use. At any time a saved list of items may be viewed. The items in the list can be used in a number of other functions made available to them. These include automatically generated email, PDF reports and detailed HTML reports.

   4. Database Navigation
      Past versions of Eloquent applications offered the extensive navigation capability from the search results to other related information. In this version the navigation is even more powerful and, more importantly, the presentation is more meaningful.

   5. Hierarchical Data Structures
      All Eloquent applications contain hierarchical data structures. Library journals contain volumes, which contain issues. Archives are many levels of descriptive records. In records management you have documents within folders, within boxes or cabinets. Also, records are classified into primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Museums have similar classification schemes as well as artifacts that are parts of sets and sub-sets. In the new software release a novice user can more easily utilize the powerful tools to manipulate these hierarchical structures.

   6. Online Help
      Online help is easily requested. The “?” symbol is available in all strategic locations. The help message can be custom tailored and translated when multiple-language user interfaces are employed.

   7. Custom Links
      Space is provided on the primary search page and on the list management page for custom links to the customer’s public support online information documents. These conveniently direct the public to valuable HTML documents about the institution’s services and policies.

2. WebSuite (General)
   A new version of the Eloquent WebSuite is available with the new release of the database platform, WebGENCAT. All application (Eloquent Librarian™, Eloquent Archives™, Eloquent Museum™, Eloquent Records™) get the benefit of the following new features:

   1. Translator Module
      The translator module is now a standard part of all applications. With it you can change help messages and various prompt labels. If you have the Multi-lingual module you can use it to translate all user interfaces to a second language.

   2. Content Management
      The Content Management Module is now a standard part of all applications. With it all forms of digital content can be linked to the metadata record. It is transferred to the server along with a saved record for safe keeping and for public access.

   3. Spell Check
      All data entry windows have a spell check feature. It can be activated for a single field or the entire record. It can also be automatically invoked when the record is saved. The feature utilizes the third-party product, ieSpell that the customer can download for their personal computer. It can be configured as needed and will accept new words in the dictionary.

   4. PDF Report Enhancements
      The PDF Report Generator is enhanced with the following features:

      • Ensure that sections of a report are not split onto two pages.
      • Ability to automatically include the current date.
      • Include page footer with the page number.

   5. Rich Text Report Generator
      Most reports can now be configured for output as RTF as well as PDF or HTML.

3. Eloquent Librarian™ Update
   The master copy of the Eloquent Librarian application has been upgraded to include all of the above features. Customers taking the WebGENCAT upgrade will automatically get some of the features listed and will now have the ability to utilize all the others with the appropriate tailoring. In addition the following enhancements are included:

   • Titles can now be flagged as New Arrivals. That will give them a special marking when they appear on any browse. It also enables the inclusion as a new checkbox-style search prompt so that researcher can easily get all the new arrivals or restrict any search as new arrivals.
   • Overdue notices for borrowers can now be sent as automatically generated email with all the overdue items in a single email.

4. Eloquent Archives™ Update
   The master copy of the Eloquent Archives application has been upgraded to include all of the above features. Customers taking the WebGENCAT upgrade will automatically get some of the features listed and will now have the ability to utilize all the others with the appropriate tailoring. In addition the following features were added:

   • Help messages for all data prompts have been enhanced, including the integration of published documentation for the RAD, DACS, and ISAD(G) for the relevant data entry prompts.
   • A new EAD Export Module. Specific descriptive records can be exported. Customers use this to import top-level collection records (fonds, or record group) into a consortium or library database. It includes links back to the Eloquent Archives database for navigation to lower levels and to the attached digital content.
   • A new MARC Export Module. This is accomplished by exporting the desired descriptive records in an ASCII format that can be manipulated by the free MarcEdit software to generate MARC records. Customers use this to import top-level collection records (fonds, or record group) into a consortium or library database. It includes links back to the Eloquent Archives database for navigation to lower levels and to the attached digital content.
   • The ability to generate custom global change routines.

5. Eloquent Records™ Update
   The master copy of the Eloquent Records application has been upgraded to include all of the above features. Customers taking the WebGENCAT upgrade will automatically get some of the features listed and will now have the ability to utilize all the others with the appropriate tailoring.

6. Eloquent Museum™ Update
   The master copy of the Eloquent Museum application has been upgraded to include all of the above features. Customers taking the WebGENCAT upgrade will automatically get some of the features listed and will now have the ability to utilize all the others with the appropriate tailoring.