We have been using JTacq ever since it began, more than 10 years ago. Over
that period it has saved us tens of thousands of dollars by savings in:
labor costs, avoiding unwanted duplicate purchases, and identifying the
cheapest vendor to purchase from. This month we began contributing 2% of
our Firm Order purchases.
Even if there was other software available that could duplicate some of
JTacq features (which I don't think there is) no one can match this
developer's customer service. If you've got a problem with the software,
send him a quick email, and he is on the problem immediately. Solutions are
usually implemented the day the issue occurs. Try to find that from another
developer. Also, he is very open to any suggestions on how to improve the
product. Again, requests for improvements are worked on immediately.
I have never been able to understand why more libraries don't use this
software, and 2% of our firm order budget is still a great value if it will
keep JTacq from being abandoned.
On Mon, May 7, 2018 at 12:09 PM, Joelle Hannert <jhannert_at_nmc.edu> wrote:
> I learned about the free software program, JTacq, from this list several
> years ago, and have been using it since then to save a lot of time in my
> acquisitions process. The software developer had been getting income for
> the project from Amazon commission fees, but Amazon stopped that practice,
> so he's looking for libraries to pitch in to continue to support the
> project.
>
> I'm pretty happy with the software, but I feel that I should investigate
> other options before we start paying for it. The program is a bit clunky at
> times, though I do feel it's absolutely worth it, considering how much time
> it saves me in typing title details, comparing prices, and holdings checks.
> My question is: does anyone have other acquisition tools that you use that
> can do these functions so I can compare? We're about to switch our ILS over
> to Koha, and it sounds like their acquisition module can interface with
> major library vendors, but not with Amazon the way that JTacq does.
>
> I think it has a lot of other features, but these are the primary
> functions I use:
>
> - Import pricing and title information from Amazon
> - Import lists from CSV file from other vendors
> - Compare Amazon prices with other vendors
> - Automated holdings check
> - Pull in data from WorldCat for most titles (providing LC#)
> - Export purchased lists into excel format
>
> For those of you using JTacq currently, are there other paid services
> you're considering? I believe the payment is optional at this time; are you
> opting to pay? Are you getting any pushback from administrators on the
> payment amount? If we do opt to stay with JTacq, we will be paying the 2%
> contribution.
>
> Thanks for any feedback you can provide!
>
>
> --
> Joelle Hannert
> Library Technical Services Coordinator
> Northwestern Michigan College
> (231) 995-1684
> Work days: M, T evening, Th, F
>
>
--
Don Butterworth
Collection Management Director /
Faculty Associate
B.L. Fisher Library
Asbury Theological Seminary
don.butterworth_at_asburyseminary.edu
(859) 858-2227
Received on Mon May 07 2018 - 13:10:33 EDT