Serials Solutions

Serials Solutions was a Seattle-based library-technology business and later a ProQuest division focused on the management and discovery of electronic information resources. Its products were designed for libraries whose collections increasingly included licensed e-journals, e-books, databases, streaming media, and other digital materials that were difficult to organize using systems originally designed for print collections. The company supplied services that connected library users with subscribed content while helping librarians maintain holdings data, subscription information, metadata, usage statistics, and collection assessments. The business was conceived in 1999 by brothers Steve, Mike, and Peter McCracken. Their idea emerged from observing the difficulty library patrons experienced when trying to navigate the growing number of electronic resources available through libraries. Serials Solutions was incorporated in March 2000 and initially operated as a small four-person venture from the McCracken family basement. It subsequently expanded into a multimillion-dollar company headquartered in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood. Peter McCracken worked on the business while also serving as a reference librarian at the University of Washington's Odegaard Undergraduate Library, giving the company direct experience with the practical problems faced by library users and staff. In 2004, Serials Solutions became part of ProQuest's Information and Learning division. The acquisition gave the company access to a larger information-services organization and positioned its electronic-resource management products within ProQuest's broader library and research portfolio. Following the 2007 acquisition of ProQuest Information and Learning by CSA and the Cambridge Information Group, the business briefly operated under the ProQuest CSA name before the ProQuest brand was restored. As part of that corporate transaction, Serials Solutions was combined with Ulrich's and became the principal retailer of Ulrich's services, including Ulrichsweb and the Ulrich's Serials Analysis System. The product portfolio covered several connected layers of library infrastructure. AquaBrowser and Summon provided discovery interfaces and centralized search across catalog records, local collections, and scholarly content. 360 Link supported OpenURL-based linking from indexes and discovery services to the appropriate full-text resource. 360 Search federated searches across separate databases and library systems. KnowledgeWorks supplied a managed knowledgebase of bibliographic and holdings metadata, while 360 MARC Updates helped libraries maintain catalog records for electronic books and journals. 360 Resource Manager, 360 Core, and 360 Counter addressed subscription administration, electronic holdings, usage statistics, reporting, and collection analysis. The company also marketed Ulrichsweb and the Ulrich's Serials Analysis System for periodical information and serials evaluation. Serials Solutions later pursued a broader vision through Intota, a web-scale collection-management system intended to integrate selection, acquisition, cataloging, discovery, fulfillment, assessment, and interoperability for predominantly electronic library collections. Intota Assessment, introduced in 2013, extended this direction through collection analytics and usage evaluation. In 2011, Serials Solutions became part of ProQuest's Workflow Solutions division. The Serials Solutions name was retired and replaced by the ProQuest brand in 2014. After ProQuest acquired Ex Libris Group in 2015, Workflow Solutions and Ex Libris were slated for combination into a new business group named Ex Libris, a ProQuest Company. The standalone Serials Solutions brand therefore survives primarily as a historical name for an influential phase in the development of electronic-resource management and discovery services for libraries.

Serials Solutions originated in Seattle in 1999, when brothers Steve, Mike, and Peter McCracken identified a growing problem in academic and research libraries: users had access to more electronic journals, databases, and other digital resources, but the systems used to find and manage those materials were fragmented and often difficult to navigate. The founders conceived a business that would simplify electronic-resource access for patrons while reducing the administrative burden on librarians. The company was incorporated in March 2000. It began as a four-person operation run from the McCracken family basement and grew into a multimillion-dollar company headquartered in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. Peter McCracken combined work at the new company with a full-time reference-librarian position at the University of Washington's Odegaard Undergraduate Library during the business's first year. That experience connected the venture to the everyday information-seeking problems of library users. In 2009, Peter McCracken left his Director of Research role to pursue maritime-history technology projects, including ShipIndex.org. In 2004, Serials Solutions was acquired by ProQuest and placed within its Information and Learning division. The change made the company part of a larger information provider and allowed its electronic-resource products to complement ProQuest's research-content and library-services businesses. A further corporate transition occurred in 2007, when ProQuest Information and Learning was acquired by CSA and the Cambridge Information Group. The combined organization briefly used the ProQuest CSA name before returning to ProQuest. The transaction also brought Serials Solutions together with Ulrich's, after which Serials Solutions became the primary retailer for Ulrich's online and analytical services. The company developed a broad portfolio rather than a single application. Its discovery tools included AquaBrowser, which offered a web interface and unified search experience for library catalogs and local collections, and Summon, a web-scale discovery service that searched a large preharvested index of academic books, journals, databases, multimedia, and other library resources. 360 Search supported federated searching across multiple databases and local systems, while 360 Link used OpenURL information to connect citations or search results to full text available through a library's subscriptions. Behind these user-facing tools, Serials Solutions maintained infrastructure for library staff. KnowledgeWorks functioned as a managed metadata repository for electronic journals, books, and other resources. 360 MARC Updates supplied current catalog records for electronic materials. 360 Resource Manager and 360 Core helped libraries consolidate holdings, subscription information, license details, and workflows, with a consortium-oriented edition available for multi-library organizations. 360 Counter collected publisher usage statistics and supported reporting and cost analysis. Ulrichsweb provided searchable periodical and publisher information, while the Ulrich's Serials Analysis System supported assessment of serials collections. The company's later Intota initiative aimed to extend this model into a web-scale collection-management environment for libraries whose collections had shifted from print toward electronic resources. It was presented as a unified approach covering selection, acquisition, cataloging, discovery, fulfillment, assessment, and interoperability through published APIs and shared metadata. Intota Assessment, launched in 2013, added collection analytics and usage evaluation. In 2011, Serials Solutions became part of ProQuest Workflow Solutions. The organizational change reduced the prominence of the original brand, and in 2014 the Serials Solutions name was retired in favor of ProQuest branding. ProQuest's 2015 acquisition of Ex Libris Group led to plans to merge Ex Libris with Workflow Solutions into a new group called Ex Libris, a ProQuest Company. Serials Solutions consequently ceased to operate as a distinct brand, although many of the capabilities associated with its products became part of the broader ProQuest and Ex Libris library-technology heritage.

• 2015

  Workflow Solutions planned for combination with Ex Libris

  [1]Serials Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  After ProQuest acquired Ex Libris Group, ProQuest planned to combine Ex Libris and Workflow Solutions in a new business group.

• 2014

  Brand retired

  [1]Serials Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  The Serials Solutions name was discontinued and replaced by ProQuest branding.

• 2013

  Intota Assessment debuts

  [1]Serials Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  The company introduced a collection-analytics service within the Intota initiative.

• 2011

  Transferred to Workflow Solutions

  [1]Serials Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  Serials Solutions became part of ProQuest's Workflow Solutions division.

• 2007

  Combined with Ulrich's

  [1]Serials Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  Following the ProQuest-related corporate transaction, Serials Solutions merged with Ulrich's and became its primary services retailer.

• 2004

  Acquired by ProQuest

  [1]Serials Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  The company became a division of ProQuest's Information and Learning business.

• 2000

  Company incorporated

  [1]Serials Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  Serials Solutions was incorporated in March and began expanding from a small home-based operation.

• 1999

  Business concept developed

  [1]Serials Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  Steve, Mike, and Peter McCracken conceived a business to make electronic library resources easier for patrons and librarians to navigate.

A specialist library-technology provider helping institutions manage, discover, link to, and assess electronic resources across fragmented scholarly-information environments.

• Web-scale discovery

  Summon

  A unified discovery service for searching a library's books, e-books, e-journals, databases, multimedia, and other holdings. It relied on a large preharvested index and provided a single search interface with facets that helped users narrow results by characteristics such as date and content type.

• Library discovery interface

  AquaBrowser

  A web-based discovery layer offering a single search interface for library catalogs and local collections. It could also connect discovery with subscribed electronic content through integration with 360 Search.

• OpenURL link resolver

  360 Link

  A link-resolution service that received citation or resource-identification data, commonly through OpenURL, and directed users to the appropriate full-text item or other accessible resource in the library's collection.

• Federated search

  360 Search

  A federated search service that queried multiple publisher databases, local catalogs, and other information sources through one search facility. It supported filters such as peer-reviewed content and full-text availability.

• Electronic-resource knowledgebase

  KnowledgeWorks

  A repository of bibliographic and holdings metadata for electronic journals, books, and related resources. Serials Solutions librarians maintained the data in cooperation with publishers so that other services could use consistent resource information.

• Catalog-record service

  360 MARC Updates

  A service supplying current MARC records for e-journals and e-books, allowing libraries to represent electronic resources in their online public-access catalogs without manually creating and updating every record.

• Electronic-resource management

  360 Resource Manager

  A system for tracking electronic subscriptions, license terms, holdings, and related administrative information. It was also offered in a Consortium Edition intended for organizations managing resources across multiple libraries.

• Usage analytics

  360 Counter

  A service that collected usage statistics from publishers and converted them into reports and cost analyses. Its purpose was to help libraries evaluate how electronic resources were being used and make more informed collection decisions.

• Electronic-resource management foundation

  360 Core

  A foundational service for consolidating information about a library's electronic holdings and supporting access and management workflows across the broader 360 product family.

• Serials and publisher information

  Ulrichsweb

  An online searchable version of Ulrich's periodicals and publisher information. It served librarians and researchers seeking bibliographic details about serial publications and could support navigation toward article full text.

• Collection analysis

  Ulrich's Serials Analysis System

  An analysis and reporting service for examining serials collections, identifying strengths and gaps, and evaluating publications that might improve a library's holdings.

• Web-scale collection management

  Intota

  A planned or developing collection-management environment intended to cover the full lifecycle of print and electronic resources, including selection, acquisition, cataloging, discovery, fulfillment, assessment, and interoperability through APIs and shared metadata.

• Library collection analytics · 2013

  Intota Assessment

  An analytics component of Intota introduced in 2013 to help libraries evaluate collections and understand usage of their resources.

• 2015

  Plan the combination of Workflow Solutions and Ex LibrisM&A

  Background

  ProQuest acquired Ex Libris Group, which offered library-automation products overlapping with Workflow Solutions capabilities.

  Action taken

  ProQuest planned to merge Workflow Solutions with Ex Libris into a new business group called Ex Libris, a ProQuest Company.

  Aftermath

  The planned combination further integrated the product heritage associated with Serials Solutions into ProQuest's Ex Libris-centered library-technology organization.

  Source

• 2014

  Retire the Serials Solutions brandStrategy

  Background

  Serials Solutions had become part of ProQuest Workflow Solutions and was no longer being maintained as a separate corporate identity.

  Action taken

  ProQuest retired the Serials Solutions name and presented the business under the ProQuest brand.

  Aftermath

  Serials Solutions ceased to exist as a distinct active brand, although its products and capabilities continued within successor organizations.

  Source

• 2013

  Launch Intota AssessmentProduct launch

  Background

  Libraries needed stronger evidence about resource usage and collection value as their holdings became increasingly electronic.

  Action taken

  Serials Solutions introduced Intota Assessment as an analytics service within the wider Intota concept.

  Aftermath

  The initiative extended the brand's focus from access and administration toward assessment and collection strategy.

  Source

• 2011

  Move into Workflow SolutionsStrategy

  Background

  ProQuest reorganized its library workflow activities as electronic collections and their management requirements continued to expand.

  Action taken

  Serials Solutions became part of ProQuest's Workflow Solutions division.

  Aftermath

  The brand became part of a broader workflow organization and was later replaced by ProQuest branding.

  Source

• 2007

  Merge with Ulrich's servicesM&A

  Background

  The ProQuest-related corporate transaction brought Serials Solutions and Ulrich's into a combined operating arrangement.

  Action taken

  Serials Solutions merged with Ulrich's and became the main retailer for Ulrichsweb and the Ulrich's Serials Analysis System.

  Aftermath

  The portfolio expanded from electronic-resource management into periodicals information and serials analysis.

  Source

• 2004

  Join ProQuest's Information and Learning divisionM&A

  Background

  Serials Solutions had grown as a specialist provider of electronic-resource services and was acquired by ProQuest.

  Action taken

  The company became a division within ProQuest's Information and Learning organization.

  Aftermath

  The transaction placed its library workflow and discovery products inside a larger information-services portfolio.

  Source

1. 1Serials Solutionsen.wikipedia.org