Distributed processing and Windows NT: The ideal infrastructure for library consortia

Library consortia require automation systems that adequately address the following questions: Can the system support centralized and decentralized server configurations? Does the software’s architecture accommodate changing requirements? Does the system provide seamless behavior? Contends that the evolution of distributed enterprise computing technology has brought the library automation industry to a new realization that automation systems engineered with an n‐tiered client/server architecture will best meet the needs of library consortia. Standards‐based distributed processing is the key to the n‐tier client/server paradigm. While some technologies (i.e. UNIX) provide for a single standard on which to define distributed processing, only Microsoft’s Windows NT supports multiple standards. From Microsoft’s perspective, the Windows NT operating system is the middle tier of the n‐tier client/server environment. To truly exploit the middle tier, an application must utilize Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS). Native Windows NT automation systems utilizing MTS are best positioned for the future because MTS assumes an n‐tier architecture with the middle tier (or tiers) deployed on Windows NT Server. “Native” NT applications are built in and for Microsoft Windows NT. Library consortia considering a native Windows NT automation system should evaluate the system’s distributed processing capabilities to determine its applicability to their needs. Library consortia can test a vendor’s claim to scalable distributed processing by asking three questions: Is the software dependent on the type of data being used? Does the software support logical and physical separation (distribution)? Does the software require a systems‐shut down to perform database or application updates?