Relais supports ISO 10160 and 10161.  In particular Relais conforms to the IPIG profile.  Interoperability testing has been completed with the following systems and vendors:

• CISTI
• Library and Archives Canada
• Libraries Australia Document Delivery
• OCLC
• Docline (no longer supported by NLM)
• OCLC PICA’s VDX
• Autographic’s Agent

The Search module in both Relais Enterprise and Relais ILL supports searching a variety of catalogs or databases via Z39.50.  In addition, once bibliographic records have been retrieved through a Z39.50 search, the Relais Search may be able to retrieve Item and Holdings level information. To date, access to Item and Holdings level information has been configured for the following systems: AMICUS, Endeavor Voyager, ExLibris, Innovative, Libraries Australia, OCLC WorldCat and SirsiDynix Horizon, Classic & Unicorn.
Due to non-standard nature of Item and Holdings level information, custom configuration may be required for new customers so that Relais can access and retrieve all of the required information.  Once records have been retrieved through Relais Search, the results may be automatically added to the request, including the locations retrieved.

Relais is in the process of implementing support for NCIP. The initial phase for this work is the ability to look up and retrieve patron information from the integrated library system.  To date this has been implemented and in production with the following:

• SirsiDynix Unicorn (Lookup User and Lookup User Response)

The second phase for this work is the ability to share circulation information between Relais and integrated library systems (ILS).  This will allow ILL staff to update requests as loans in Relais; the loan record will then be passed over to the ILS using NCIP.  This includes both requests from patrons as well as requests from other libraries.
Similar approaches will be reviewed with customers of other integrated library systems such as Voyager.
Relais International has had discussions with regarding NCIP interoperability testing with Voyager.  To date we are awaiting cooperation from ExLibris.

For third party systems that support Open URL, a Request Link may be added. The Request Link generates an OpenURL that pre-populates the Relais Access web based request forms with the bibliographic information from the users' citation. No re-typing is required. Once the user submits the request in Relais Access, it is entered into the Relais database. The Relais request number displays and a confirmation e-mail is sent to the user.
Systems with which Relais International has tested the receipt of an OpenURL:

• SFX
• EBSCOHost
• CISTI Source
• SIRSI Resolver
• Serials Solutions *
• Endeavor Voyager

* Relais International customers who would like to add a request link to their Serials Solutions page should send an e-mail message to clients@serialssolutions.com, regarding 360 Link (previously, Article Linker). Please provide Serials Solutions with your Relais Access URL and they will set up the links for you.
If you are interested in using the OpenURL from a system not listed above, please contact Relais International to arrange for testing with the vendor.

SirsiDynix is our technology partner. We are working closely with SirsiDynix to ensure a high level of integration between their products and ours – making your request process as seamless as possible.

Yes, using the Z39.50 protocol, Relais is able to search your local Endeavor catalogs to determine whether requested items are held locally and so, retrieve the specific location and Holdings information. In addition, when Relais is searching for libraries to which to send a request, Endeavor Voyager catalogs can be included as part of this search process. As Relais implements components of NCIP we will be contacting Endeavor regarding interoperability testing. This will allow the sharing of patron information and circulation information between the two systems.

Relais International customers who would like to add a request link to their Serials Solutions page should send an e-mail message to clients@serialssolutions.com, regarding 360 Link (previously, Article Linker). Please provide Serials Solutions with your Relais Access URL and they will set up the links for you.

Relais is able to receive lending requests from Docline and pass them into Relais. However, there is no mechanism in place for sending requests from Relais to Docline.

Through Relais, ILL staff can now search OCLC WorldCat, build an OCLC lender string and send the request through to OCLC to be filled. Alternatively a request can be sent through to OCLC with no lender string and OCLC will use your existing profile to build the lender string for the request based on your preferences. Communication of the request from Relais to OCLC is done via ISO ILL.

Yes, Relais allows you to enter OCLC symbols twice in a lender string and OCLC will use them accordingly.

Yes, Relais uses and records both the OCLC number for the bibliographic record and the OCLC ILL number for the request.

Relais can send requests into the OCLC Review file so that staff may review and work with them through OCLC.

Relais customers can make the Relais Access web forms available to their users. Via Relais Access, a user may login and submit a request for an item. The request flows directly into Relais for processing. Relais sends the user a confirmation e-mail that may be filed away for future reference. The Relais customer can customize the outgoing e-mail to suit local requirements.
A wide range of configuration options are available so that Relais customers may tailor the look and feel of the Relais Access web forms to suit specific needs.

Through the Relais Access web forms, users can choose to display a list of all requests, all open requests or search for specific requests using the search options provided through Query Request – this includes title and author keywords as well as specific request numbers and the date or range of dates on which requests were entered. From the list of requests displayed, the user can look at the request history. The level of detail displayed to the user is controlled by the Relais customer.

Once a user has displayed a request though the Relais Access web form, the user may ask for the request to be cancelled. Displaying Cancel Request is optional.

Once a user has displayed a request though the Relais Access web form and if the item is currently on loan to the user, then a renewal request may be sent. Displaying Renewal of Requests is optional.

Provided your ILS is capable of handling NCIP (i.e. patron lookup - the ability to look up and retrieve patron information from the integrated library system), you will be able to easily share one patron database for both. Prior to this, or in absence of both parties being able to communicate via NCIP, Relais’ application allows patron data to be loaded and synchronized on a scheduled basis, as needed. With this latter approach, two patron databases exist, although data only needs to be entered once. Also see NCIP.

Relais Enterprise allows the supply of documents to Distance Education users.

Yes, when you create additional notes for the patron, these are stored and may be viewed along with other request information.

Staff may use the Relais query to search for and retrieve requests. A variety of search criteria is available, including the following:

• Library symbol
• Keywords from the title, author and call number string fields
• Date or range of dates when request(s) submitted
• Patron name or ID
• Relais request number, OCLC or Docline request number or ‘external’ request number

In addition, a request list may be sorted by Request number, Title, Author or Date Submitted.

Relais applications include a purge and archive utility that allows you to specify what requests should be archived and the location of an archive database. In addition, directories with aging data may be purged from the system.

In Relais Enterprise & Relais ILL, it is possible to assign a billing rate for each library and each patron. Using Relais – Table Maintenance, different amounts may be assigned to different billing rates for the range of services that you provide. For example, when a document is delivered or a service provided, the amount for the request is calculated based on these entries and the request is updated.
Total amounts may be included on the cover page for the outgoing documents for informational purposes. The cover page may also be structured as a one-off invoice. For invoicing on a regular basis, we recommend that the data be extracted from the completed requests and passed into a third party accounting package.

No, the supplier is not able to modify the routing list for a request coming in from another borrower. For example, a patron at Library A puts in a request. Library A has a preferred routing list, starting with Library B, then C then D... If Library B receives the request but cannot fill it, it should automatically go to Library C and Library B will not be allowed to modify this.

Yes, documents may be sent to and received from Ariel.
Relais’ Receive FTP application replaces the Ariel receive function, so there is no need for an Ariel license. It looks for documents coming into the desired IP address and adds them to the Receive FTP queue. Documents are then matched against requests in the Relais system.

Yes, documents may be sent to users via Post to Web.

Post to Web allows your patrons to access their requested ILL documents online. You may configure how long your patrons have access to the documents and how many times they can view the document. You may also set whether the patron receives one or all request links within the same e-mail as well as other options.

You may use ISO, GSM, OVID e-mail format, web entry, Open URL Relais Access Links, & Relais' flat file format to send and receive data.

Relais can receive and use e-mails in the 'generic script format'. Reading other formatted e-mails could be handled.

When requests are received as unformatted text, staff must enter the requests into Relais. Once the request is in the system, follow up messages and communication can be done via e-mail.

Relais' products interact with your local e-mail server at several different times. As long as your e-mail server uses SMTP and POP there should be no compatibility problems. Specifically, the Delivery E-mail application that is used to send documents as Post to web and as attachments uses SMTP to send out messages. The ILL Message Handler that sends and receives requests and messages to and from other libraries, uses POP when receiving messages and SMTP when sending messages.
Confirm with your e-mail system vendor as to whether these protocols are supported.

Relais software requires access to an SMTP/POP compatible e-mail server. Access should be enabled to allow the Relais machine to relay outgoing messages on SMTP, as well as receive incoming messages on POP. The default ports of 25 (SMTP) and 110 (POP) do not have to be used, but should be made available to the installer of the Relais ILL software, as they will have to enter them into the configuration.

Given that there are such diverse needs for creating reports, Relais has allowed you to query the database using Crystal Reports or other desired applications so that you may design your own reports.
Relais ILL provides some basic pre-designed reports, as well as an application in which to preview and print these reports.
In addition, Relais offers the invaluable service of creating customized reports based on your library’s specific needs.

In addition to customizable reports, the pre-existing notices, such as a Loan Notices, Pickup Notices or Overdue notices may be configured with your local information within the Relais applications.

Most Relais products may be configured to work in both centralized and decentralized environments.

Yes, all Relais applications can be run on MS Windows 2003. However, for those running Delivery E-mail Post to Web, you will have to use Tomcat 3 and set IIS 6 to IIS 5 Isolation Mode. Please also see Requirements for additional details.

Although it is dependent on the product as well as your library’s needs, we offer the option of using the SQL server, Oracle, or MSDE.
Relais ILL includes an MSDE run time license for use as the underlying database. No other database is needed. If you want to use a different database, such as Oracle or SQL Server, then Relais International will have to assist with installation and there will be an additional charge.
Please also see Requirements specific to each product for additional details.