ERMS Implementation: creating order where there is chaos
Abstract
Implementing 360 Resource Manager and 360 Counter from Serials Solutions has been an adventure. Once the software was activated, the real fun began. High expectations, lots of determination and a little elbow grease have contributed to Wichita State University Libraries implementation of an Electronic Resource Management System.
Description
With high expectations of what an electronic resource management system (ERMS) could do for us, Wichita State University Libraries purchased 360 Resource Manager with the Cost Data widget and 360 Counter from Serials Solutions in June 2008. It is our hope to be fully implemented within a year’s time. Implementation includes but is not limited to tracking trials, alerts for new and cancelled products, tracking statistics by uploading the data from Scholarly Stats, recording acquisitions information, replacing the PAD (periodical access database) for print journals, and licensing terms.
I will discuss the process we went through once we purchased 360 Resource Manager including who was selected to be on the ERMS implementation team and why they were chosen. I will share the lessons we learned and provide attendees with some practical ideas on how to avoid some time-consuming mistakes.
I will talk about the goals the team set, the implementation schedule that was developed and the tools used to communicate our progress with each other and the rest of the library. The audience will not only learn about the challenges we faced, but how these were successfully overcome. Our experience with Serials Solutions will be reviewed, from the evaluation of the product through the training phase, including discussion of the workflow that was developed.