HISTORY
Littera LIS was formed as a technological experiment.
In MordiCom Ltd. we spent several years developing the technology that would replace our current way of developing. We deal primarily with the development of major application for larger customers. Because these are so complex, we have difficulties finding successors experienced enough to collaborate.
For these and other reasons we have decided to develop our own development platform.
The objectives of this platform:
- It supports new technologies and builds on existing solutions
- Has good properties of conventional applications as well as online applications
- Has its own development tool built in
- Substantially lowers the costs of development and maintenance
- Individual solutions (modules) are usable in all applications
- Is simple and understandable enough for novice programmers
After several years of developing, when the solution was ready for testing we needed a candidate, an application, with which we could test the concept.
WinKnj proved to be an ideal candidate as it is one of the most popular programs for library managing in the country. It had approximately 150 forms and 100 reports, which is small enough for testing. At the same time it has some technological extremes, which make it an even better candidate. It contains forms with tables in which there is a lot of information, includes requirements for the processing of hundreds of millions of records in the database and we have hundreds of databases, which can be merged into one simulated realistic environment.
It was also in our interest to find out if a product can be developed on the new platform. A product that will be better and more powerful than its predecessor and on which we would be able to build a new generation of Web OPAC, which requires significantly more processing power.
When we got to the point where the new product became good enough, we gave it a new name: Littera LIS
TECHNOLOGY
Web applications are elegant. All we need is a browser in which we type ‘www’ and add a suitable addition and we are good to go. It is very practical as there is no installation and we can work from anywhere.
Provided of course that we have chosen the right browser, as not all browsers are equal to the task. Provided that we have installed the appropriate certificates. And it shows that our application is not the most efficient. Sometimes also not very practical. There is a lot of clicking. We could go on, right? At times we long for a ‘real’ application, not just some online simulation of a program.
Littera LIS is a proper application. And at the same time it is a web application.
Littera LIS is a browser, just like the one in which you are reading this text right now. But it cannot display a webpage, because it was not made for it. It was made for displaying the application. A proper application, suitable for managing your library.
Take a web application such as Koha, add the capacity and orderliness of WinKnj, add a pinch of the cloud, a bit of uncomplicated installation with no maintenance, and you have Littera LIS.
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
The minimum requirement is a computer with a Windows operating system. It can also function on Windows 7, though it is highly discouraged.
A high-performance computer and internet connection are recommended.. The more data you enter, more will be downloaded and processed, that much is clear. In addition, the user interface prefers a more powerful computer rather than a less powerful one. If the seconds matter, of course. (By the way: as far as speed is concerned, we have not said our last words concerning the program just yet, as the emphasis lied on the operation stability.
If working 24/7 is important to you, you can acquire a cheap USB modem (if you do not have a suitable phone with mobile data) as a backup. This way, the program will function even when an internet outage occurs. You can use a laptop instead of a personal computer. You will be able to use the program even when a power outage occurs.
A larger library with a lot of borrowings will want to lend books and do the inventory with a bar code scanner. Such a library will need a laser USB reader, as this kind of reader works quickly, efficiently and at a greater distance. The library will want to print bar codes on labels, which are attached to the books. To print labels, it will need a laser printer. It is fast, the printing is cheap, it does not stain when in contact with moisture, and it does not fade over the years.
WHO DO I TALK TO IN ORDER TO USE THIS PROGRAM?
You do not need to talk to anyone. Download and install the program and start using it. If you log in as a demo user with a demo password, you can test and experiment with the program. If you wish to create your own database and use the program for your personal library, use the same window to register and start using the program. Every first day of the month the program will notify you about your payment obligation for the chosen package. You can settle the bill with just a few clicks via PayPal. (If you do not already have a PayPal account, you will need to create one, and you will need a credit card.)
You can use the application for as long as you wish or cancel at any time.
