[OPLINTECH] Envisionware Cloud Nine Feedback

[Chad Neeper]

No opinion on Envisionware vs PC Res...we use Libki (open source) at our
few libraries that want/need reservation software.

WRT Princh, however, we have two libraries that use it. One set it up and
manage it on their own and we (as their outsourced network administrators)
have actually had little dealings with it at that library. The other
library, however, we've been intimately involved in the process from start
to production with the exception of financial (fees to and receipts from
Princh). As a pro-library advocate and IT person, I most definitely approve
of Princh as a company and product. Princh's product was developed
specifically for libraries, not with libraries as an afterthought and added
revenue stream. They even have good ready-made signs/flyers telling patrons
how to print to the library's printers. All you have to do is print them
out and conspicuously post them. From a patron perspective, printing is
straightforward, pretty simple, and with multiple payment options,
including cash at desk. From a staff perspective, staff administration is
straightforward and simple. They've focused on doing just one thing well
and they've succeeded from what's I've experienced. It's a Danish company
and I get the sense that they're a relatively small and closely knit team
(maybe 20 people or less?) They have no problems at all communicating in
English and during our normal business hours. Their communication during
our initial evaluation period was extremely easy and flexible/accommodating
and with virtually no sales pressure. Initial installation/setup was also
very easy and fast. Their technical support has been responsive, even
though some of the root causes of issues we've experienced have been not
actually been caused by the Princh software. Reliability of the Princh
software has been stellar. We've had almost no problems at all with the
Princh software. It "just works". (Unfortunately, this library frequently
has "printing problems" that *appear* to be Princh-related but that are in
fact not at all related to Princh. So I try to make it very clear to the
staff that Princh actually has *nothing* at all to do with the "printing
problems", which are 100% unrelated. Credit/blame where credit/blame is
due!)

I don't say this often or lightly, but Princh is a company I have no
problems at all with in recommending for libraries. That's NOT to say that
Princh is the right solution for every library. But if what they are
offering meets your needs, then they should definitely be on your list of
companies/products to evaluate. Two thumbs up.

Regarding the second half of your Princh question, we have the Princh
client installed on the library's patron computers and the staff keep the
web admin console open in a tab on their circ desk computers. All public
printing goes to a single robust copier at the circ desk. Patrons I think
probably mostly pay with cash at the desk, but they have the option for
credit card. I think Princh collects online payments and makes a single
deposit to the library each month. (But I don't pay attention/care about
that side of things, so grain of salt.) Patrons are also welcome to print
via their mobile devices from inside or outside the library. I can verify
that it works well/easily enough from my own mobile device, but couldn't
say how often patrons actually use the service. The library currently
doesn't use the tablet-based self-release station, although that's the
plan...eventually. I've tested it on an old decommissioned Android tablet
and it worked fine. Just waiting on the library to decide when they want to
move the copier about 2 feet...from the staff side of the circ desk's
half-wall to the public side!

2 cents,
Chad
______________________________
*Chad Neeper*
Senior Systems Engineer

*Level 9 Networks*
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

*Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in public libraries*


On Thu, Oct 19, 2023 at 8:28 AM Hamman, Jeremy via OPLINTECH <
oplintech at lists.oplin.org> wrote:

> Good morning,
>
> Anyone out there using Envisionware Cloud Nine as a replacement of onsite
> PC Reservation?  How has the journey been?
>
> We are also beta testing Princh as a potential replacement for LPT1 and
> mobile print if anyone has any production experience as well and how do you
> use it?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jeremy Hamman
> Systems Manager
> Greene County Public Library
> 76 E Market St
> Xenia, OH 45385
> (937) 736-7066
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OPLINTECH mailing list
> OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org
> https://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplintech
>
> ****** Are ALL of your library's staff signed up for OPLINUPDATES? They
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>
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