Although encoding rules of ISO/IEC 15962 are used in other sectors, this encoding method presents a radical change for the library community.
The encoding scheme is highly flexible and allows the user - typically the library management - to select which optional data elements are relevant for the RFID tag. The data elements can also be re-organised into a sequence that is appropriate for the particular library. Each tag does not need to encode the same data elements, so for example sets of loan items can carry different information from single items.
Conformance
Our software products meet the conformance requirements set out for ISO 28560-2 on the ISO website. Because our software is intended for various aspects of supporting ISO 28560-2, our conformance statement is presented in a way that clearly shows which of our software products incorporates which of our software tools. Our conformance statement aligns every one of the conformance requirements and clearly shows how each tool supports the requirement, or not as the case may be.
Purpose
The RFID in Libraries software comprises tools tailored specifically to the ISO 28560-2 standard, and which are designed to:
- provide users, library suppliers and system suppliers with confidence that the most pertinent data can be stored on the chosen tag stock
- support different data configurations for different scenarios
- validate any combination of input data against:
- the ISO/IEC 15962 standard
- the ISO 28560-2 application standards
- locally defined rules in individual libraries for selecting optional data
- diagnose errors and inefficiencies on tags that were encoded using other software
- work standalone to provide an encoding simulation without the need of RFID tags
- integrate with the RFID system to provide an end-to-end solution
- be intuitive and easy to use
Product Options
| Convergent Software Limited ISO 28560-2 products |
Tools | API | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template Builder | Data Builder | Data Doctor | Data Decoder | Data Editor | ||
| ISO 28560-2 Planning and modelling software | • | • | ||||
| Decoder and Basic Quality Control Software | • | • | ||||
| Benchmark development package (for vendors) | • | • | • | • | ||
| Integration software (for vendors) | • | • | • | • | • | • |
| Decoder Integration software (for vendors) | • | • | ||||
Products Overview
The Planning and modelling software allows different configurations of data elements from the ISO 28560-2 standard to be trial-tested with simulated encoding. This includes selecting which optional data elements to include and in which sequence they should be encoded. The software also allows tag parameters (e.g. block size, memory capacity, hard- or soft-coded DSFID, etc.) to be set. The simulated encoding enables planning and modelling without the need to purchase any tags or encoding devices.
The Decoder software, ideally linked to a reading device, interprets all the data on the tag and displays the decoded data. If there are any encoding errors on the tag, then an error is reported.
The Quality Control software provides insight into the reasons for failed tag reads. In addition, it will indicate divergence from agreed subsets and sequences of data elements, breaches of data rules (e.g. permitted characters) and failures to conform to ISO 28560-2. Currently, this module is only available in products intended for vendors.
The Benchmark development package is designed to help vendors in the process of delevoping their own software. Convergent Software library products are conformant with ISO 28560-2. Therefore, vendors can use our software as a benchmark when developing and testing their own. The package includes a service element through which Convergent Software will help vendors identify reasons for discrepancies between their software and ours. Currently we are offering two versions of integration software. Full integration supports all aspects of ISO 28560-2, and is available now. The decoder integration (under development) is intended for systems that depend on other means for encoding the tag.
The Integration software provides a comprehensive application programming interface (API) to the core encoding and decoding software. This allows vendors to build in ISO 28560-2 conformance with minimal effort. It can also be used by vendors of individual products to rapidly support this application. Currently we are offering two versions of integration software. Full integration supports all aspects of ISO 28560-2, and is available now. The decoder integration (under development) is intended for systems that depend on other means for encoding the tag.
Services, exclusively for Libraries
We offer a Planning and Modelling Support service, exclusively to libraries that purchase our data encoding software. The objective is to provide a subscribing library with supporting services and documents to assist in achieving a better understanding of the implications ISO 28560-2. This could help a library to specify requirements to their system vendors and suppliers.
We offer a Quality Control service, exclusively for libraries, where tags sent to us are tested against all the encoding rules specified for ISO 28560-2. The service is intended for libraries that only require a few tags to be tested and do not need to invest in our decoder software plus an RFID reader. The procedure is similar to the certification procedure required by the Public Lending Service of South Australia, which uses our software. A test report is returned to the library indicating whether the tag passed or failed
Tool Key Features
The RFID in Libraries software tools have the following key features:
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The Template Builder module allows a library, or library book supplier, to create specific RFID encoding schemes for the complete collection, or subsets of the collection. Different templates can be used to meet different requirements, not only for loan items but also for reference items.
The Template Builder provides the user with a full list of all the data elements defined in ISO 28560-2, and enables those relevant for the template to be selected and re-organised into a logical sequence. If the most important elements are encoded in the first positions, then transaction time can be minimised, but when other, less essential, data is encoded on the tag that needs to be read, this can be specifically selected.
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The RFID Data Builder allows any of the templates to be selected either as an input form or integrated with the Library Management System or some other database.
The RFID Data Builder takes the data that is meaningful for the library application, and encodes it on a memory structure equivalent to that of the selected tag. If a particular library item does not require all the data, a data element can be skipped and the encoding process simply takes the input provided and shows what is encoded on the tag. In a real environment, this data will be transferred to the RFID interrogator to be written into the tag memory.
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The RFID Data Doctor addresses situations where data might not always be encoded correctly. This module takes as input the complete encoding on the RFID tag and not only decodes its content into meaningful data, but also identifies errors that are not compliant with ISO/IEC 15962 and those of ISO/IEC 28560-2.
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The RFID Data Decoder is a streamlined version of the RFID Data Doctor for use as a standard decoder of all selected data encoded on the RFID tag. As the prime function of this software is to read and interpret encoded data for a simplified quality control process, it is better to use this in conjunction with an RFID reader. Our software is fully integrated with a particular brand and model of device, as shown on this page.
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The RFID Data Editor allows ISO 28560-2 data elements to be added, modified, or deleted from an encoded RFID tag. This tool has already been developed to prove our commitment to supporting all features of the standard, and to provide any vendor using our Integration software with compliant software so that they can support all the features of ISO 25860-2 from the start. It also enables vendors using the Benchmark development package to test this feature when they incorporate it.
Once ISO 28560-2 is implemented on a wider scale, the RFID Data Editor will provide a useful means of deleting supply chain information not required for circulation purposes, for managing inter-library loans, and for adding new data elements to an existing implementation to support new RFID functions in the library.
Product Prices
| ISO 28560-2 product | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 28560-2 Planning and modelling software | €395 | per user |
| Decoder and Basic Quality Control Software | €395 | |
| Planning and Modelling Support service (only for libraries) | ||
| UK-based libraries | £600 | per 6-month subscription |
| Libraries elsewhere in Europe | €700 | |
| USA & Canada | $950(US) | |
| Quality Control service (only for libraries) | ||
| UK-based libraries | £250 | per purchase of 6 credits |
| Libraries elsewhere in Europe | €300 | |
| USA & Canada | $400(US) | |
| Benchmark development package (for vendors) | €4000 | 2 user licences plus service element |
| Integration software (for vendors) | POA | |
Bulk discounts apply. Details on request.
All prices that are quoted in Euro (EUR) but Convergent Software will, if required, be converted at current exchange rates to one of the following currencies:
- Australian Dollars (AUD)
- Canadian Dollars (CAD)
- Pounds Sterling (GBP)
- US Dollars (USD)