Brief Description

MuseumIndex+ provides an integrated information management system for collections management and public access in the heritage sector.  It is based on our well-established MUSIMS system, developed over the years with clients such as the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Royal Academy and a range of medium and smaller institutions. 

The system has been re-modelled specifically to support modern museum management procedures in a way that is more direct than in any comparable system, while still incorporating the wealth of cataloguing and search features, terminology and thesaurus controls that made MUSIMS popular with many users.

MuseumIndex+ modules are configured to the museum's unique specification. The modules are as follows:

• MuseumIndex+ Collections Management System - A Collections Management System supporting SPECTRUM procedures – capable of supporting small scale and large scale networked implementations with complex data and security requirements.
• MuseumIndex+ Authorities - Facilities for developing and managing controlled vocabulary, thesauri term lists and authority files – used in conjunction with other MuseumIndex+ modules to support terminology control for data entry and thesaurus-based retrieval.
• ImageIndex+ - Supports image acquisition and cataloguing. The image acquisition module facilitates the integration of images with watermarking as required. Images can be stored in any open format and at any resolution required.
• ArchiveIndex+ - An archive management system which conforms to the ISAD(G) standard for archive description - this module features intuitive drag and drop hierarchical management of archive units, and automatic generation of unit reference codes.
• MuseumIndex+ Public Access - A system for supporting the creation of high quality, creatively designed, multimedia public access facilities. This module can work together with content management systems. Access can be via web, kiosk, workstation or CD-ROM.
• MuseumIndex+ Interoperability - Providing facilities to serve your information to other systems using protocols like Z39.50, OAI and SOAP. The Index+ Bridge Module enables you to integrate content from other collections' databases into your own MuseumsIndex+ system.
• ContentIndex+ - For large-scale development of content for public access, the CMS manages web or kiosk content and, for example integrates data from the collections management system with specially written narratives, tours and timelines.
• BooksIndex+ - An integrated library module supports management of books and other publications. The module conforms to MARC standards and has a number of features that are designed to facilitate MARC-based cataloguing in a museum environment.

Minimum Hardware

Standalone MuseumIndex+ systems and MuseumIndex+ clients will run on any current PC system that runs typical office applications satisfactorily. A minimum display size of 800x600 is recommended.

For client/server and Web delivery configurations the MuseumIndex+ server host system should be specified appropriately to support the anticipated use.

Operating Systems and Networks

Standalone MuseumIndex+ systems and MuseumIndex+ clients will run under all major Microsoft Windows releases.

The MuseumIndex+ server will run under Unix (Solaris, SunOS, OSF/1, SCO Unixware, Linux) and Microsoft Windows NT, 2000 and XT. 

Images

MuseumIndex+ can display images, video and sound files and associated text. Images are stored in an Asset Arena in any standard format and are therefore available for repurposing. ImageIndex+, our comprehensive picture library module is also available.

Public Access

MuseumIndex+ Gallery provides a public access front end for kiosks and workstations. MuseumIndex+ Open provides systems via the Web or Z39.50.

CD Publication

MuseumsIndex+ software and data can be authored to a CD simply by copying the database.

Internet

MuseumIndex+ Open modules include a Web Gateway supporting XML and HTML, a Z39.50 Gateway and an OAI Gateway.

Database Architecture

The MuseumIndex+ architecture is based on the information retrieval model complemented with relational indexing. The underlying database is Index+.

Cost - Single User

£5000 one-time licence charge + configuration cost (typically £3000-20000).

Cost - 5 Users

£5000 one-time licence charge for Server and 4 Clients + configuration cost (typically £10000-25000).

Additional Pricing Notes

• £300 per user one-time licence charge for 5-25 users with discounts above 25 users
• ImageIndex+ module from £8500 including one-time licence charge + configuration
• ArchiveIndex+ module £2500 one-time licence charge + configuration cost (typically £3000-20000)
• MuseumIndex+ Gallery £2500 one-time licence charge + configuration cost (typically £3000-20000)
• MuseumIndex+Web Gateway £2500 + configuration cost (quotation on request)
• MuseumIndex+Z39.50 Gateway £2500 + configuration cost (quotation on request)
• ContentIndex+ module £2500 one-time licence charge + configuration cost (typically £3000-20000)
• BooksIndex+ module £2500 one-time licence charge + configuration cost (typically £3000-20000)
• CD publishing by negotiation

Training

A training package including System Admin and/or User training is agreed by negotiation from a wide range of options.

Support

15% of software value with additional services by negotiation.

Museum Users and Sites in the UK

20 sites in the UK, 300 user licences (August 2004).

Museum Users and Sites Worldwide

1 site worldwide, 6 user licences (August 2004).

Largest Museum Site - No of Users and No of Records

100 users, 1.7 million+ records (August 2004).

Special Features

MuseumIndex+ has been developed from System Simulation's wide experience of cultural and heritage IT applications. Supporting both small and large scale applications MuseumIndex+ provides a secure, highly functional repository for text and multimedia digital resources. Following Collection Trust's SPECTRUM standard for data structures and procedures, the repository provides a robust platform on which to base the wide range of applications demanded by modern IT-literate museums, galleries and other heritage sites. The system is modular providing a cost effective means of evolving from basic inventory/catalogue applications for collections management through to public access kiosks, education centres and enhanced websites.

MuseumIndex+ provenance, from System Simulation's experience in working closely with major museums and cultural institutions and a series of collaborative international R&D projects, has ensured that it is well adapted to its target market and has a uniquely experienced support team able to provide services from strategic advice to system implementation, training and migration from legacy systems.

New features introduced aim specifically to support the latest edition of SPECTRUM, and in the UK, to assist museums and galleries aiming to achieve MLA Accreditation. The changes have moved the system on from one that primarily stores information, to one directly supporting museum and gallery staff in carrying out their professional duties in ways that promote operational efficiency.

In addition, special provisions allow for the generation of Accreditation documentation and support management monitoring and reporting.

Future Developments

Continued development particularly for Internet and intranet facilities.

Multilingual developments for public access.

Feature

Audit trails

As standard

Passwords

As standard

Picklist

As standard

Thesaurus for Data Entry

As standard

Thesaurus for Retrieval

As standard

Screen Designer

As standard

Report Writer

As standard

Modifiable Data Structure

As standard

Maximum Characters per Field

No practical limit.

Maximum Records per File

No practical limit.

Digital Image Formats

bmp, gif, jpg, png supported as working images, most formats can be imported and converted.

Data Import Facilities

Comma delimited (and similar), Index+ open format, XML, SGML, MARC (option), ODBC (option).

Data Export Facilities

Comma delimited (and similar), Index+ open format, XML, SGML, HTML, RTF, Text.

Company Name

System Simulation Ltd

Contact Name

Mike Stapleton

Contact Job Title

Technical Director

Contact Phone Number

+44 (0) 207 836 7406

Contact E-mail

ssl@ssl.co.uk

Address

Burleigh House
28 Tavistock Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2E 7PB

Company Website

http://www.ssl.co.uk