A Solution to Your Technological Headache

As part of our Distributed Catalog model, COMPanion's multi-database technology (i.e. "Controller") provides an economical solution for growing hardware and software needs. Unlike a Centralized Catalog, where all your data is stored in one large database, an Alexandria Controller stores all of your databases on one data station. With an Alexandria Controller, your technicians, administrators, and librarians have a system that can meet all their needs.

Save Time

Information system technicians are faced with increasing demands for required computers and programs. In order for districts to efficiently use their technical support staff, administrators are constantly looking for ways to cut back on activities that consume valuable time. Here's how an Alexandria Controller can save you time:

• Multiple databases are managed from a single data station, saving time and resources.
• There's no need to travel from location to location to maintain separate library systems; individual databases can be contained remotely at a district—rather than a school—location.
• An Alexandria Controller can update all the databases at once and back up everything to a location of your choosing—even to locations in the cloud.
• Each collection is completely autonomous and can be managed and searched separately, as if running on separate data stations.
  
  

Save Money

District administrators are constantly confronted with budgetary shortages in the face of increased technological demands for servers, computers, and the technical staff required for maintenance.

• An Alexandria Controller is the best use of available funds for staffing and resources.
• Fewer data stations saves money and provides a more cost-effective use of technical staff, circumventing the need to hire additional technical support.
  
  

Retain Autonomy 

While district administrators may appreciate the benefits of sharing materials and being part of a centralized library system, librarians want what is best for the students and staff they serve. Each library varies greatly; the needs of students in an elementary school will differ from those in a secondary school. When all system policies and resources are standardized, it may actually be detrimental to the school.

• Librarians retain control over policies, purchasing materials, and cataloging.
• Site-based customization allows librarians to meet the needs of their individual patron base.
• Changes can be made on the local level to provide a more refined service.

• Patrons can still search other libraries' catalogs with Group Search.