OREANDA-NEWS. October 27, 2011. Fujitsu announced the launch of Ufinity for Public, a Software as a Service (SaaS) offering for public libraries throughout Japan, extending from the prefectural level to local municipalities. The next-generation library service is designed to bring greater convenience to both library patrons and staff through portal sites.

The service includes features that make it easy to create and update a library portal site, along with features for administering interlibrary loans(1) and staff communication over the web. The portal site provides a searchable environment that is convenient for patrons and staff to use for library news or checking and searching on new-acquisitions data. In addition, a horizontal search function can simultaneously search not only public libraries within a prefecture but also the collections in university libraries, museums, and other affiliated institutions, making it quick and efficient for patrons and staff to reserve and send away for books.

As the service is provided in the SaaS model hosted at Fujitsu's datacenters and accessed over the Internet, libraries can start using it quickly and inexpensively, with no need for costly investments in ICT resources.

Fujitsu offered WebiLis in September 2010 under the SaaS model as its first effort in supporting the "regional general library" concept in Japan. The new service, being Fujitsu's second offering, is intended to enhance the role of regional libraries as information sources and strengthen links between libraries.
Background

From providing information on activities such as continuing education courses to making local documents and other valuable resources available to their communities, Japan's public libraries enrich the lives of patrons on a timely basis, filling a wide range of invaluable roles. However as the needs for emergency preparedness and security increase, libraries are taking a greater interest in SaaS offerings, in which software is accessed over the Internet.

Ufinity for Public, launched today, is Fujitsu's second offering and brings greater convenience to library patrons and staff through the addition of portal sites. Fujitsu's first offering for public libraries, WebiLis, was launched in September 2010 under the SaaS model, and has already been adopted by more than 40 municipalities.

Ufinity for Public has been in early deployment at the Mie Prefectural Library in Mie Prefecture. Fujitsu is using this case to further evaluate the SaaS offering for the future.

Details of the new SaaS offering are being presented at the 13th Library Fair & Forum taking place at the Pacifico Yokohama convention center from November 9-11, 2011.