SilverPlatter Z39.50 gateway option tests successfully.

NORWOOD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 18, 1996-- SilverPlatter Information has enhanced its ERL Technology to enable access by Z39.50 client software, regardless of vendor, to its collection of databases. Seven organizations have successfully tested interoperability using SilverPlatter's ERL Z39.50 gateway. SilverPlatter extends an invitation to any interested Z39.50 client developer or client user to test the Z39.50 Option by searching databases available on SilverPlatter's Internet Test Server, and has also initiated formal testing program of the option, including protocol logging and diagnosis with partnering Z39.50 client developers.

DRA, EOS International, Geac, Innovative Interfaces, SIRSI and VTLS have all successfully accessed SilverPlatter databases through its Z39.50 gateway. Ameritech has developed its InfoShare solution to deliver full field access and full integration to SilverPlatter databases.

ERL's Z39.50 option is software that resides on a site's ERL server. This software translates a query from a Z39.50 client into a query which can be understood and processed by the ERL Server regardless of hardware or software differences. As a result, users can search SilverPlatter databases while using the familiar interface, commands and search methods of their local Z39.50 search systems.

ERL is a software tool for collecting, organizing and distributing electronic information products and services, providing flexible network connectivity. It is unique in that it is designed to encourage vendor and user cooperation, and is based on an open systems design and industry standards for interoperability, providing opportunities for publishers, software companies and system vendors to make their expert products available to libraries.

ERL is based on client/server architecture using a communications protocol called Data Exchange Protocol (DXP). SilverPlatter developed DXP to be standard-independent so that industry standards such as Z39.50 could easily be integrated into the technology.

"Our approach is to make the technology available so that others can participate in offering choices of access," said Becky Lockwood Grossman, Director of Library Systems Relations at SilverPlatter. "We invite all who have a Z39.50 client to test it with our gateway. For more information, visit our home page at www.silverplatter.com, for a more detailed description of the Z39.50 option."

SilverPlatter implementation of the Z39.50 option is based on the most current Z39.50 specification - Version 3 - supporting the following features:

Browse: allows Version 3 clients to scan and select terms from any index in a database.

Explain: allows Version 3 clients to receive information about the ERL Server, including available database, attribute sets, element sets, attribute combinations, term lists, etc. This eliminates the need to preconfigure Version 3 clients to the ERL Server and each database. Explain also supports the functionality of the client interface to search beyond Universal search terms such as "TITLE," "AUTHOR," "SUBJECT," etc.

Support for Non-MARC Databases such as GRS.1 (Generic Record Syntax) and SUTRS (Simple Unconstructed Text Record Syntax) formats. Termination: allows the Version 3 client or ERL Server to gracefully terminate a connection at any time.

Since many Z39.50 clients are not yet available at the Version 3 level, SilverPatter has developed its option to allow Version 2 clients to access and search databases on the ERL Server. Version 2 clients must be pre-configured to access the ERL Server and to open specific databases, and must support Id Authentication.

"Our development of the Z39.50 gateway is one of the first in the industry to implement Version 3's EXPLAIN feature and its standard GRS.1 method for encoding records," said Ms. Lockwood Grossman. "Currently, an EXPLAIN testbed is being conducted with SilverPlatter being the only commercial server implementor participating. By our application, we are helping to lead the industry forward in testing these components of the Z39.50 standard."

SilverPlatter provides electronic access to quality bibliographic and full-text databases using innovative technology via local, intranet and Internet access. SilverPlatter works collaboratively with publishers and data owners, library system vendors and distributors worldwide to make available the widest range of quality databases and greatest choice of access.

With these partners, SilverPlatter shares its Electronic Reference Library (ERL) Technology so that it can be used as a common technological framework on which digital libraries can be created and interconnected to form a Worldwide Library.

CONTACT: SilverPlatter Info., Norwood

Patricia Samson, 1-800-343-0064 or 617/769-2599, x189

[e-mail]