Brief Description

MUSIMS provides an integrated information management system for collections management and public access in the heritage sector. MUSIMS modules are configured to the museum's unique specification. The modules are as follows:

• MUSIMS Collections Management System - A Collections Management System supporting spectrum procedures – capable of supporting small scale and large scale networked implementations with complex data and security requirements.
• MUSIMS Terminology - Facilities for developing and managing controlled vocabulary, thesauri term lists and authority files – used in conjunction with other MUSIMS modules to support terminology control for data entry and thesaurus-based retrieval.
• MUSIMS Image Management - Supports image acquisition and cataloguing. The image acquisition module facilitates the integration of images with watermarking as required. Images can be stored in any open format and at any resolution required.
• MUSIMS Archive - An Archive Management System which conforms to the ISAD(G) standard for Archive Description - this module features intuitive drag & drop hierarchical management of archive units, and automatic generation of unit reference codes.
• MUSIMS Public Access - A system for supporting the creation of high quality, creatively designed, multimedia public access facilities. This module can work together with Content Management Systems. Access can be via web, kiosk, workstation or CD-ROM.
• MUSIMS Interoperability - Providing facilities to serve your information to other systems using protocols like Z39.50, OAI and XML. The Index+ Bridge Module enables you to integrate content from other collections' databases into your own MUSIMS system.
• MUSIMS Content Management - For large-scale development of content for public access, the CMS manages web or kiosk content and, for example integrates data from the collections management system with specially written narratives, tours and timelines.
• MUSIMS Library - An integrated library module supports management of books and other publications. The module conforms to MARC standards and has a number of features that are designed to facilitate MARC-based cataloguing in a museum environment.

Minimum Hardware

Standalone MUSIMS systems and MUSIMS clients will run on any current PC system that runs typical office automation applications satisfactorily. A minimum display size of 800x600 is recommended.

For client/server and Web delivery configurations the MUSIMS server host system should be specified appropriately to support the anticipated use

Operating Systems and Networks

Standalone MUSIMS systems and MUSIMS clients will run under all major MS Windows releases.

The MUSIMS server will run under Unix (Solaris, SunOS, OSF/1, SCO Unixware, Linux) and MS Windows NT, 2000 and XT.

Images

MUSIMS can display images, video and sound files and associated text. Images are stored in a Resource Arena in any standard format and are therefore available for repurposing. A comprehensive picture library module is available.

Public Access

MUSIMS Gallery provides a public access front end for kiosks and workstations. MUSIMS Open Access provides systems via the Web or Z39.50.

CD Publication

MUSIMS software and data can be authored to a CD simply by copying the database.

Internet

MUSIMS Open modules include a Web Gateway supporting XML and HTML, Z39.50 Gateway and an OAI Gateway.

Database Architecture

The MUSIMS architecture is based on the information retrieval model complemented with relational indexing. The underlying database is Index+.

Cost - Single User

£5000 one-time licence charge + configuration cost (typically £3000-20000).

Cost - 5 Users

£5000 one-time licence charge for Server and 4 Clients + configuration cost (typically £10000-25000).

Additional Pricing Notes

• £300 per user one-time licence charge for 5-25 users with discounts above 25 users
• MUSIMS Image module from £8500 including one-time licence charge + configuration
• MUSIMS Archive module £2500 one-time licence charge + configuration cost (typically £3000-20000)
• MUSIMS Gallery £2500 one-time licence charge + configuration cost (typically £3000-20000)
• MUSIMS Web Gateway £2500 + configuration cost (quotation on request)
• MUSIMS Z39.50 Gateway £2500 + configuration cost (quotation on request)
• MUSIMS Content Management module £2500 one-time licence charge + configuration cost (typically £3000-20000)
• MUSIMS Library module £2500 one-time licence charge + configuration cost (typically £3000-20000)
• CD publishing by negotiation

Training

A training package including System Admin and/or User training is agreed by negotiation from a wide range of options.

Support

15% of software value with additional services by negotiation.

Museum Users and Sites in the UK

20 sites in the UK, 300 user licences (August 2004).

Museum Users and Sites Worldwide

1 site worldwide, 6 user licences (August 2004).

Largest Museum Site - No of Users and No of Records

100 users, 1.7 million+ records (August 2004).

Special Features

MUSIMS has been developed from System Simulation's wide experience of cultural and heritage IT applications. Supporting both small and large scale applications MUSIMS provides a secure, highly functional repository for text and multimedia digital resources. Following the MDA's SPECTRUM standard for data structures and procedures, the repository provides a robust platform on which to base the wide range of applications demanded by modern IT-literate museums, galleries and other heritage sites. The system is modular providing a cost effective means of evolving from basic inventory/catalogue applications for collections management through to public access kiosks, education centres and enhanced websites.

MUSIMS provenance, from System Simulation's experience in working closely with major museums and cultural institutions and a series of collaborative international R&D projects, has ensured that it is well adapted to its target market and has a uniquely experienced support team able to provide services from strategic advice to system implementation, training and migration from legacy systems.

Future Developments

Continued development particularly for Internet and intranet facilities.

Multilingual developments for public access.

Additional support for workflow following the SPECTRUM procedures.

Feature

Audit trails

As standard

Passwords

As standard

Picklist

As standard

Thesaurus for Data Entry

As standard

Thesaurus for Retrieval

As standard

Screen Designer

As standard

Report Writer

As standard

Modifiable Data Structure

As standard

Maximum Characters per Field

No practical limit.

Maximum Records per File

No practical limit.

Digital Image Formats

bmp, gif, jpg, png supported as working images, most formats can be imported and converted.

Data Import Facilities

Comma delimited (and similar), Index+ open format, XML, SGML, MARC (option), ODBC (option).

Data Export Facilities

Comma delimited (and similar), Index+ open format, XML, SGML, HTML, RTF, Text.

Company Name

System Simulation Ltd

Contact Name

Mike Coyne

Contact Job Title

Managing Director

Contact Phone Number

+44 (0) 207 836 7406

Contact E-mail

enquiries@ssl.co.uk

Address

250M Bedford Chambers,
Covent Garden Piazza,
London
WC2E 8HA

Company Website

http://www.ssl.co.uk