Presenters:Christine M. Stamison, MLISSenior Customer Relations Manager, SwetsAnne CampbellE-Processing Manager, Swets

Charleston ConferenceNovember 4, 2011

Beyond EDI: The Agent’s Role in the Cloud

We are the world’s leading Information Solutions provider, building on 110 years of experience to bring economic and administrative value to clients and publishers in

today’s complex electronic environment.

Offices in 21 countries servicing:160 nations

65,000 publishers60,000 clients

1.8 million subscriptions260,000 publications

Adhere to the most stringent standards: Only agent that is ISO 9001:2008 certified ona worldwide scale

ISO9001:2008

Globally Certified

Role, Business and Environment

• Metaphor for “The Internet”• Based on drawings used to depict telephone

networks and later, computer network diagrams• Abstraction of the underlying infrastructure• Demarcation point between the responsibility of

the provider and the user• Cloud computing extended the boundary to cover

servers and infrastructure

What is the Cloud?

• Delivery of computing as a service rather than a product

• Sold on demand for specified time periods• End user can buy as much or as little as they wish

- economical• Fully managed by provider• Consumer only requires a computer and internet

connection• New way of shared collaboration• Promotes a greener environment

Cloud Computing

• Software as a Solution (SaaS)– Software built by service provider– End user can configure to it’s needs– Can not change or modify software– Pay monthly or annual fee– Example – Mozy – back up files or data on cloud

• Platform as a Service (PaaS)– Outgrowth of SaaS– Offers a platform (operating system, server, relational database, apps) to clients

for various purposes– Platform managed and upkeep performed by service provider– Accessed by in-house and remote staff– Use only the services you need– Example – Windows Azure; Salesfore.com

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)– Infrastructure on demand– Outsource platform, storage, servers, network components– Service provider owns the equipment and responsible for running and

maintenance

Cloud Computing Services

• Advantages• Reduced cost• Easy maintenance• Re-provisioning of

resource• More collaborative• Increase profit• Greener

environment

Cloud Computing Services

• Disadvantages• Loss of local control• Not designed exactly

to your specifications• Potential loss of

business flexibility• Integration problems• Potential unstable

cost structure

Over to Anne Campbell

And Now…

Agents can “feed” Cloud Systems

• As Cloud-Based Library Systems evolve and new systems are emerging, the value of the data the Agent gathers and stores is key• Online Serials Catalogs• Online eBook Catalogs• Publisher Licenses• Metadata

• Agents understand the value of System Integration and actively approach their

customers to connect:– Sending electronic Invoices– Receiving electronic Claims– Sending electronic Check-in– Purchase Metadata– Usage Statistics (SUSHI)

Integration with Customers

• Agents equally approach Publishers• Electronically send and receive data either using

Industry Standards or the “Agents Custom Formats” for:– Title Prices– Usage Statistics– Orders/Renewals– Claims (and recently Claim Answers - EDIFACT)– License Data– Publication Schedules

Integration with Publishers

• By their nature, Agents are strategically placed “in the middle” between customers, publishers and Library Technology Vendors

• Large Data Repository - Administering business transactions and constantly sending and receiving data

• Transactions Administered can include:– Record and Store customer Licenses– Electronically send E-Access Requests (store

library profiles and Tier Level details that determine pricing)

…and there’s more…

How Agents Maintain System Integration Value

• Partner - Library System Vendors• Standards Committees - NISO, EDItEUR,

ICEDIS• Plan - New strategic goals and projects• Communicate - Customer Advisory Board • Train – Sales and Customer Service staff in

System Integration• Update – Internal development

methodologies to be agile• Consult - Customers and Publishers

• Discovery or Federated Search – Web Based• Web Services for Usage Statistics and Impact

Factors• Online Services to support the renewal of large

publisher package deals• Online Account Management for Customers and

Publishers

Not only can agents “feed” the Cloud by exchanging data, but some of our services are already cloud-based

Future Developments

• Agents are already in the Supply Chain Cloud Communities with corporate systems like SAP and Ariba.

• xCBL - A set of XML business documents.

• Using xCBL promotes interoperability between applications.

The Concept of Punch-Out

Future Developments

• Purchase Order Message for EDIFACT• cXML – Format Standard for Orders• OCI: Open Catalog Interface.• Punching out to a Preferred Suppliers catalog

saves time.• Challenge ILS Vendors to approach with Cloud

ILS system ordering to be like punch-out• End-users centralize procurement by “Punching

Out” from their E-Pro system into the Swets Catalog and bring Purchase Orders back into their system

Catalog Punch Out for Orders

Future Developments

Future Developments

• Agents are “up for the task” to continue to offer an integrated approach with the ILS Vendors on behalf of their customers.

• Continue exploring and developing System Integration to serve customers and publishers.

Up for the Task

Anne Campbellacampbell@us.swets.com

Christine Stamisoncstamison@us.swets.com

www.swetsamericasblog.com Facebook.com/SwetsAmericas Twitter.com/Swets_Americas

Thank You