Serials Solutions Launches Central Search Results Clustering
Serials Solutions has announced the launch of a new Results Clustering feature for its Central Search federated search service. Researchers can now quickly identify the resources relevant to their areas of interest. Clustering reveals new and intriguing relationships among citations and assists users in discovering topics that may have otherwise been missed.
On October 2, the release date for Results Clustering, more than 30 Serials Solutions Central Search clients went live the feature. Serials Solutions’ web-hosted model requires no local software loading, making implementation of Result Clustering effortless for the library.
"You really have to see it to believe it - the impact on the research process is phenomenal," says JR Jenkins, group product manager for Serials Solutions. "The best way truly to appreciate the power of Results Clustering is to see it in action. It turns ‘search’ into ‘research’ by finding answers fast."
Clustering is intuitive and easy to use, so no training is required for librarians or users. Clustering happens automatically with each search and the results are organized, easily understood and in a customizable format. Library user satisfaction is greatly enhanced and the librarian saves valuable time.
"Vivisimo’s Clustering Engine is an ingenious way to deal with the problem of too many citations from too many resources," says Jenkins, "Instead of a single ‘right’ answer to a query, clustering provides the patron with a highly usable and informative overview of the terms, dates, resources, and authors found in the citations. The searcher can drill down into specific topic areas quickly and easily. He is exposed to concepts that surround the query - providing him with a global view of the term and presenting a powerful springboard into high quality research."
The introduction of Results Clustering has been welcomed enthusiastically by clients. Thomas Marshall, Cataloging and Metadata Librarian at the University of Arizona Libraries said, "We are really looking forward to this technology. When we were considering federated search products last spring it was the clustering technology which really made a difference in our decision making. It makes Central Search stand out as a product and is certainly best for patrons. We look forward to implementation." The University of Arizona is among the libraries that began using Results Clustering on October 2.
"We are thrilled about the integration of Vivisimo Clustering in Central Search," commented Steve McCracken, Serials Solutions co-founder and vice president. "Vivisimo is a global leader in search and results clustering. Their greatest strengths - rapid performance, superior usability, and high quality cluster creation - are perfect additions to Central Search’s robust searching power. With the integration of this new technology, Serials Solutions has indeed taken federated search to the next level."
About Serials Solutions
Serials Solutions, part of ProQuest Information and Learning, is the industry-leader providing complete e-resource access and management solutions to over 1700 libraries worldwide. Founded by a librarian for librarians, Serials Solutions helps librarians and patrons find and use electronic content through its Access & Management Suite™ (AMS), Full MARC Records™ service for e-journals, Article Linker™ - Serials Solutions’ comprehensive OpenURL link resolver, Central Search™ - a powerful federated search engine, and ERMS™ - a lifecycle manager for electronic subscriptions.
About ProQuest Information and Learning
ProQuest Information and Learning, a division of ProQuest Company, is a world leader in collecting, organizing, and publishing information worldwide for researchers, faculty, and students in libraries and schools. Known widely for its strength in business and economics, general reference, genealogy, humanities, social sciences, and STM content, the company develops premium databases comprising periodicals, newspapers, dissertations, out-of-print books, and other scholarly information from more than 9,000 publishers worldwide. Users access the information through the ProQuest® Web-based online information system, Chadwyck-Healey™ electronic and microform resources, UMI® microform and print reference products, eLibrary®, SIRS® and Serials Solutions resource management resources. ProQuestSmart® Search was named "Best Specialist Search Product" by the International Information Industry Awards in late 2005. For more information about ProQuest Information and Learning, visit www.il.proquest.com.
About Vivisimo
Vivisimo does search right by combining the simplicity and innovation of consumer search with the flexibility and control of enterprise software. The company works with customers to understand their goals and quickly deploy solutions that maximize the business value of information—with an interface users love. Vivisimo serves its global client base through headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, and Paris, France, and partners throughout the world. Please visit www.vivisimo.com to learn more.