The_IT_Guy Posted January 8, 2019 Posted January 8, 2019 Hi All, What library systems are people using? We were using MLS and obviously they have now changed to Capita reading Cloud. Just want to do a bit of homework to check we're not paying over the odds for it. Thanks
synaesthesia Posted January 8, 2019 Posted January 8, 2019 Very many people are fleeing MLS/Capita's offering for very good reason; it's awful and support is far from great. AccessIT and Softlink's solutions appear to be the more popular currently; we're looking at both. 1
TechMonkey Posted January 8, 2019 Posted January 8, 2019 We moved to AccessIT and the librarian is ecstatic. We looked in to LibreSoft Librarian as well as SoftLink. LibreSoft looked great and the cost was exceptionally cheap but it was felt it was a bit too simplistic for us and didn't have all the bells and whistles we wanted. For a smaller primary it would be perfect though. Schools I spoke to that were using said that it just sat there and did it's job, and these were schools with no permanent on site IT or Library staff. SoftLink looked competent and I can't remember our reasoning for not going with them but it was discussed at length. 2
chris11256 Posted January 8, 2019 Posted January 8, 2019 We use Oliver by Softlink(albeit locally hosted). Don't have many problems with it and our Librarian is happy with Softlink support/ 1
DSapseid Posted January 8, 2019 Posted January 8, 2019 Very many people are fleeing MLS/Capita's offering for very good reason; it's awful and support is far from great. AccessIT and Softlink's solutions appear to be the more popular currently; we're looking at both. I know of at least half a dozen schools including ours that are currently with MLS and have had enough of the poor product and bad support. It went downhill the minute Capita got their hands on it, it worked ok before that. They kept blaming moving the sites new servers (now on AWS) and they are like running through treacle. The librarian has had demos of all mentioned and also Heritage - used at harrow and eton so probably mega money but she thought it was worth a look! 1
Sylv3r Posted January 8, 2019 Posted January 8, 2019 We scrapped MLS and moved to Libresoft - we are a fairly large secondary school and I wouldn't say we are Library power users, the system does more than enough for our requirements - in fact in the 8 months or so we've had it the prodcut has constantly evolved based on user feedback so I would certainly say it's one to look at to see if it ticks the boxes. Data migration from MLS to Libresoft was flawless too.
Primus Posted January 8, 2019 Posted January 8, 2019 How did people communicate their decision not to renew - I know MLS have a lengthy notice period but I've been emailing [email protected] regularly since early December with zero reply!
Katy Posted January 8, 2019 Posted January 8, 2019 How did people communicate their decision not to renew - I know MLS have a lengthy notice period but I've been emailing [email protected] regularly since early December with zero reply! Wasn't for MLS but when I cancelled our Virgin leased line they ignored me, wrote a letter and sent recorded delivery, kept a copy of the letter and downloaded the proof of delivery and then just didn't pay when they sent the invoice.
TechMonkey Posted January 9, 2019 Posted January 9, 2019 I phoned MLS to find out how they wanted to be informed and followed their instructions. Heard nothing until they wanted paying and I told them I cancelled well with in time. They just asked me to forward the email to a completely different email address and all was well.
gmonks Posted January 23, 2019 Posted January 23, 2019 What is the notice period for MLS? Since its moved to Reading Cloud, its much slower / laggy. I'm wondering if Libresoft or something else may be better.
j224 Posted January 23, 2019 Posted January 23, 2019 What is the notice period for MLS? Since its moved to Reading Cloud, its much slower / laggy. I'm wondering if Libresoft or something else may be better. I'm in the same boat. I emailed MLS last week to ask about the notice period but not heard a peep. I contacted Libresoft which looks very good from the demo video and is much cheaper. They reckon MLS require 3 months notice. Libresoft will do all of the data transfer stuff.
synaesthesia Posted January 23, 2019 Posted January 23, 2019 Give your notice immediately and in the same email ask them for what that notice period is. You'll get a response soon enough.
gmonks Posted January 23, 2019 Posted January 23, 2019 I'm in the same boat. I emailed MLS last week to ask about the notice period but not heard a peep. I contacted Libresoft which looks very good from the demo video and is much cheaper. They reckon MLS require 3 months notice. Libresoft will do all of the data transfer stuff. That is quite a long notice period! I may visit the Libresoft stand on Friday when I go to BETT. What frustrates me is when I try and contact MLS via phone you can wait 15-30 mins before you get an answer.
j224 Posted January 23, 2019 Posted January 23, 2019 What frustrates me is when I try and contact MLS via phone you can wait 15-30 mins before you get an answer. It's ridiculous and unacceptable. I'm just waiting for SLT to give me the go ahead, which I can't see them not doing!
Primus Posted January 23, 2019 Posted January 23, 2019 We scrapped MLS and moved to Libresoft - we are a fairly large secondary school and I wouldn't say we are Library power users, the system does more than enough for our requirements - in fact in the 8 months or so we've had it the prodcut has constantly evolved based on user feedback so I would certainly say it's one to look at to see if it ticks the boxes. Data migration from MLS to Libresoft was flawless too. Did you pay them the £250 for the CSV download to allow for this data migration?
nathan Posted January 23, 2019 Posted January 23, 2019 I'm in the process of developing our own. It won't have all the features to begin with and will be focused at primary to begin with.
supportman Posted January 23, 2019 Posted January 23, 2019 Oliver by softlink is nice and works totally in the cloud now. So good to get rid of another server! The Speed is excellent.
Ailsa-Midge Posted April 26, 2019 Posted April 26, 2019 I would flee if I could but only gave 50 day's notice instead of the required 90! It's so awful though I might just not pay.
Ditto Posted April 26, 2019 Posted April 26, 2019 The notice periods are crazy and others have threatened to be non-payers. I'd be interested to hear of anyone who refused to give the notice period and the outcome. My kids school have just ditched the Capita's Reading Cloud and switched to Libresoft Librarian. I'll find out if there were any notice period issues and what savings have been made at the next governor meeting. 1
Ailsa-Midge Posted May 2, 2019 Posted May 2, 2019 I have spoken to Capita to ask how much it would be to pay for the cheapest, most basic package instead (£545) and am currently trying to sort out with our budget holders to pay this and then we'll just not use it. I'm hoping to order AccessIt and can't wait. I'll need to look on the £545 as a penalty charge for not giving the full notice I suppose. If it was me I'd just not pay it but I don't think SLT will agree this.
bennz Posted May 15, 2019 Posted May 15, 2019 dont pay, advise system not fit for purpose, many threads on here to evidence that. move onto AccessIt and get on with your day
Ailsa-Midge Posted May 15, 2019 Posted May 15, 2019 Thank you. That's what I would like to do, but I think we have now come to an agreement when we MAY pay for a basic package, or not pay at all. We've not paid them yet. But, regardless Accessit is ordered. Can't wait.
ITGURU Posted May 15, 2019 Posted May 15, 2019 We've just (yesterday) moved from locally hosted eclipse to reading cloud. They did it in about 2 hours , no issues at all. Apart from a slight increase in annual support costs and a one off migration cost, we'll be sticking with it for now (depending on reliability).
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