Prepress
Successful AGent Iluminar Beta Testing Program Leads to Extensive Product Roll-out
Tuesday 07. July 2009 - Next Generation User Interface Passes the Test and is Scheduled for Widespread Customer Implementation
Auto-Graphics, Inc. (Pink Sheets: AUGR), a technology innovator providing library automation solutions for over 36 years, today announced the successful completion and full production launch of AGent Iluminar, the next generation patron user interface for the companys library automation platform. The beta testing program occurred over several months this past spring and incorporated a representative cross section of library customers, varying in both size and library type. The program encompassed a range of AGent library automation products including: AGent VERSO, a complete integrated library system; AGent Resource Sharing, a robust interlibrary loan and consortial borrowing solution; and AGent Search, a powerful federated search application.
Amongst the first of its beta testing program customers to implement AGent Iluminar is Auto-Graphics longtime partner, the State Library of Kansas.
“The State Library of Kansas looks forward to introducing a greatly enhanced experience for users of our statewide catalog of over 900 libraries and 40 general and specialized information resources, via the AGent Iluminar interface and AGent Resource Sharing. Our vision of delivering 21st century library services and resources to all Kansans will move closer to realization through this well-organized, appealingly presented environment for exploration and discovery,” said Jeff Hixon, deputy director, Statewide Resource Sharing, State Library of Kansas.
“The ability to customize the experience at state, regional, local and individual levels through its visual, textual and navigational presentation makes AGent Iluminar a truly user-focused approach to electronic information sharing,” continued Hixon. “In appearance, its surprising and new. As an extension of Auto-Graphics long history of product development and customer service, its exactly what we hope for and expect.”
AGent Iluminar is a Web Services application that was built using the free open source Adobe Flex framework, which enables graphic transitions and design features in a more visually pleasing interface, while retaining and enhancing the underlying functionality of the AGent platform. AGent Iluminar provides intuitive navigation, using web cues already familiar to many web-savvy patrons, as well as a “wizard-like” advanced search screen that utilizes prompts modeled from popular search engines. In addition, AGent Iluminar employs innovative, attention-grabbing display technologies such as 3D Flip and Cover Flow book jacket display, made popular by Apple iPod, as well as enhanced drag & drop functionality and the ability for patrons to modify their own user experience through “My Lists” and “My Account” customization options.