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Socrate 4 Windows Library management system |
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Why choose Socrate 4 Internet?
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| Microcraft looks back on more than twenty years experience in more than 300 libraries! |
| Microcraft is a growing, dynamic, healthy and solid company, specializing in library automation software since more than 20 years. |
| Microcraft applies tight pricing and offers one of the best quality-price ratios to be found. Some library management applications cost ten times more while offering less functionalities or flexibility! |
| Microcraft does not apply a module sales policy; all versions are supplied with all modules (No loan module witch S4w Light). The price solely depends on the number of PCs that need to run the application simultaneously. |
| Upgrading to a version supporting more workstations will only cost the price difference between the two versions. |
| All PC's running the application are able to access all functionalities of Socrate 4 Windows. There is no obligation to dedicate workstations to certain tasks. Usage rights are determined by user name and password. |
| Socrate 4 Windows is also very widely compatible from Windows 2000 on to Windows 10 Pro (32 or 64 bit)! A stand-alone Pentium 166Mhz PC with 128 MB on board will operate Socrate 4 Windows in Windows 2K. HOWEVER we strongly advise the purchase of modern PC's, based on Windows 7 or 8 or 10 in order to optimize performance, especially since Socrate is a true 32 bit (64 bit compatible) - multi-tasking software. |
| Easy to install (less than one minute) on workstations: a shortcut to the executable file on the server or pseudo-server will do. |
| In the network, Socrate can even be installed on a Linux server (free OS), which is much more cost effective than a genuine NT 2000 2003 2008 Server! The minimum required network speed is 100 Mb/s. |
| In the network, Socrate can either be run in client-server or terminal server mode on leased lines or ADSL, VPN etc… |
| Easy maintenance: Socrate is installed in a single directory and hence can be simply relocated e.g. to an other server without reinstallation. Socrate includes all database management tools (reindexing, clearing,…). |
| The learning curve is nearly vertical. In one hour of time the librarian is ready to loan items to the public. Usually three training days are enough to cover and explain the library management software. |
| Virtually all fields are accompanied by help balloons, supplying adequate information wherever necessary. Socrate comes furthermore with a complete, full colour usage manual. |
| Socrate is very open to the library world: import and export functionalities in delimited text, Unimarc format (ISO 2709) and delimited label format allow for an efficient migration of bibliographical and readers records. Socrate can also run and import databases such as Electre or the national library DVD of France or our own catalogue of 700.000 items!. |
| Import and update of records in Excel format from software such as ProEco™ (pupils and teachers management in the school environment) is possible without extra charge. |
| Moreover, Socrate can be linked to Socrate 4 Internet (other product), our bibliographical search and reservation engine on Internet. (www.bibliotheque.be) |
| The loan functions fit in a single, fast and user-friendly module: loan, return, reservation, payment, POS, "bad reader" alerts and "material check" alerts (state, CD-ROM, map)! |
| The loan module relies on a very extensive fee system and rules that are easy to set on installing the software. HOWEVER the loan fees and rules can be changed any time. |
| The module also supports Reprobel fee management. |
| Alerts can be set individually for specific materials requiring a check as to their completeness and the state they are in! These alerts pop up during the loan operation. |
| Socrate has a real accounting module in order to handle an unlimited number of POS-systems, to edit POS printouts, to issue readers' debts by means of detailed listings, etc… |
| All cataloguing functionalities are concentrated in a single, crystal clear screen. |
| You do not have to be a computer wizard or a graduated librarian to register books into Socrate, since the program guides you throughout the creation or modification process. |
| The cataloguing activity is based on reference tables (authorities files) controlling whether inputs are correct: authors, secondary authors, editors, CDU-Dewey, collections, subjects, language, price, loan fee, origin, quality, type of public etc… |
| Socrate is supplied with a series of pre-set tables: ready CDU's with label, subjects, editors and their addresses, authors etc... All this helps you to make your library operational fast and standardize inputs! |
| Socrate is continually extending with new functionalities, such as a toy library module |
| Socrate also helps you to manage your library with modules such as a check-up of your loans or reservations, or a very powerful collection inventory module. |
| OPAC: a powerful, full-text, indexed search module is supplied at no extra charge. Socrate 4 Windows allows indexed search on every word in the catalogue, just like an Internet search engine. Readers can search, locate and print their search results. |
| Readers and third party records offer multiple addresses and take into account all modern contact data: @mail address, personal website, telephone, cell phone. It is even possible to send an email to a reader right from the Socrate software! |
| A street directory, country and postal code table account for a faster input of new addresses. |
| It is also possible to send personal letters to readers: reminders, debt notices, reservations available, simple correspondence. No external word processing software is needed! |
| Subscription management and cataloguing are part of Socrate 4 Windows at no extra charge. There is even a cataloguing follow-up system for every periodical number or article received! |
| The inter-library catalogue transfer module coordinates in a transparent manner bibliographical and readers' records between libraries using Socrate 4 Windows. |
| A very powerful export and import module for bibliographical records, based on the Unimarc standard, is available. |
| Bibliographical records can also be imported from Excel files. |
| The reporting module produces more than hundred lists to meet all information needs: loan statistics, bibliographical records even in ISBD format, readers list, tables list, letters - reminders - debts - invoices - reservations available etc… |
| In order to save your precious work, Socrate includes a backup and restore system for all your data. |
| Last but not least, Socrate is an extremely solid and reliable software. |
| Socrate's speed can even be enhanced by its integrated barcode management. Books can be equipped with a barcode, which fastens up all search, loan, reservation and other operations! |
| How about the future? Thanks to the annual support contract, you can download all new versions of Socrate 4 Windows on the website: www.socrate.be and install them as new functions are continually being developed! This offers the best possible protection of your investment against obsolescence. |
