Top Tech Trends in Materials Handling - For UW Madison Circulation Conference
- 1. Top Tech Trends in Materials Handling Lori Bowen Ayre Back in Circulation Conference October 15, 2012
- 2. The evolution of materials handling technology in libraries “In the beginning, Ranganathan created the ….”
- 3. Early 1800’s
- 4. Later 1800’s
- 5. 1950’s
- 6. 1980’s
- 14. 1990’s
- 16. 2000’s
- 18. Ergonomic book carts that work with sorters (but don’t work for Drill Team)
- 23. Things to Know About Sorters 1. Do NOT require RFID – can sort with barcode or RFID 2. Your available space is the only restriction for how many sorts you can have 3. Sorters can drop items into Ergo Carts, Smart Bins, trolleys, delivery totes, and more traditional bins. 4. They are quiet (generally) 5. No special power requirements
- 24. But how does this stuff get into the sorter?
- 25. Book Drop –> Patron Induction
- 28. People don’t like standing in line no matter how friendly the staff is (are?)
- 29. People like getting items checked in immediately
- 30. People like getting receipts
- 31. AMH System = Automated Check-in With Sorting
- 32. AMH SYSTEMS ARE GETTING BETTER AND CHEAPER Trend #3
- 33. $65,000 with Automated Check-in • Equivalent to 1.5 FTE in work performed • Space required: 8x10 Lyngsoe 3-bin
- 34. Lots of configuration possibilities even with small 3-bin
- 35. Benefits of AMH with (at least) 3-bin Sort 1. Items checked in before patron enters library 2. Check-in eliminated from staff workflow 3. Separate ready-to-shelve returns 4. Separate media (protect them from damage) 5. Separate items needing staff (e.g. holds, exceptions)
- 36. Variations in Automated Check-ins • Location (inside, outside, foyer) • Access (restrictions, or not) • Induction (one-at-a-time, or not) • Patron interface (touch screen, or not) • RFID (or not)
- 37. External Check-ins What to look for: • Can you see the screen? • Access door (UL listed?) • Ease of use • Touch screen • Clear instructions • Work for your climate?
- 39. Standard Configurations Can Bring the Prices Down 3M FX Model around $100,000
- 40. Bibliotheca Smart Sort - 7-bin
- 41. 3M Intelligent Return Plus • Barcode or RFID • No touch screen • $40,000
- 42. Bibliotheca SmartSort 200 • No touch screen • No receipt • No reject option • Inside and outside models • Pricing: $30K range with 3-bin sorter • Max of 5 bins
- 43. SORTERS BEING USED FOR INTERLIBRARY DELIVERY Trend #4
- 44. Sorting to Delivery Totes
- 47. King County 150-bin Sorter
- 48. Sort to Light • Manual sorting • Lights indicate where item goes • Increases accuracy See Label-Less Library Logistics: Implementing Labor-Saving Practices in Massachusetts' High-Volume Resource Sharing System Available from http://bit.ly/yFYDQM
- 50. AMH Vendors • 3M • Bibliotheca • Envisionware • Lyngsoe • mkSorting • D-Tech • Tech-Logic Watch http://pinterest.com/loriayre/library- materials-handling/ for new product developments
- 52. Tech-Logic “Book Placer” System
- 54. MORE SELF CHECK DEVICES Trend #6
- 55. Tech-Logic MyMobileLibrary • Mobile self-check-out application • Uses Boopsie • Check-out with smartphone • Requires security kiosk to turn off security
- 56. Bibliotheca SmartDispenser 200 • Formerly ITG DiscXpress • 500 discs per tower
- 57. LAT’s allCIRC
- 58. Bibliotheca Product Expandable to Six Towers
- 59. KIOSKS FILLING A NICHE…BUT EVOLVING Trend #7
- 60. mk LibDispenser • Holds 500 books • Can have one or two screens • Can access OPAC • Barcode or RFID
- 61. Evanced BranchAnywhere • 220 books or 500 CD/DVDs • 24/7 • RFID required • Walk-up service only • Returns are re-shelved
- 62. Bokomaten • Holds 400 items • Contra Costa’s Library-a-Go-Go • RFID required
- 63. Envisionware 24-Hour Library • Can dispense holds, check out items found in kiosk, take any returns, browse stacks • Items drop in bins, not re-filed, so staff must load it • RFID required
- 64. Brodart Lending Library • Doesn’t accept returns • Staff must handle check-in and restocking
- 65. Tech Logic Media Surfer • For lending iPads pre- configured with content • System resets each iPad to library settings upon return so customers can use them as they wish
- 66. NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES RESULTING FROM RFID Trend #8
- 67. Receiving • Bibliotheca SmartStock 500 • Read up to 50 tags at once • Bulk receive items • “RFID Tunnel” • Ballpark pricing: $11K
- 68. Tracking Material • Bibliotheca SmartStock 600 • Detects items on the shelf in real-time • Can search for items and find out where they actually are • Utilizes cover-flow display to assist in searching
- 69. Ability to Perform More Functions Without ILS Connectivity using RFID • Interlibrary sorting based on “next location” field on RFID tag • Capture ILL transaction info directly from tag • Track multi-part sets • Security works between different library systems
- 70. RFID Innovation Relies Upon Standards Compliance • What standard? – ISO 28560-2 – Adopted by NISO March, 2012 • Why it matters – Do more with RFID tags – RFID Interoperability • More info in RFID available at http://galecia.com/content/rfid
- 71. More Info • More AMH information available at http://galecia.com/content/automated- materials-handling • Check out some AMH videos at http://bit.ly/R6tW7j
- 72. QUESTIONS? Feel free to contact me at lori.ayre@galecia.com (707) 763-6869
- 73. San Francisco Public Library http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2TklULYpJs&featur e=share&list=PLEACFE4019E6F396B
Editor's Notes
- #2: Top Tech Trends in Materials Handling2012 © Lori Bowen Ayre / The Galecia Group. This work product is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license. Begin with historical perspective….
- #3: Today’s top trends are mostly evolutions of some of the materials handling technologies we’ve known and loved throughout the history of libraries. Take for example, the book cart.
- #4: The bookcart has been around as long as libraries. Some of the earliest designs missed the mark but….
- #5: when the “Truck Beautiful” came out. We had a winner. Photo credit: http://libraryhistorybuff.blogspot.com/
- #6: So perfect was its design, there were few variations on the “Truck Beautiful”Photo source: http://www.shopbrodart.com/
- #7: Eventually metal replaced the wood.Photo source: http://www.bookcasesgalore.com/
- #8: The book drop bin has not changed much at all except the classic wood to metal transition.Photo source: http://khcpl-building-feedback.blogspot.com/
- #9: except the classic wood to metal transition. http://www.kingsley.com/ book drop bin $1899
- #10: But back to the bookcart for a moment…the metal began painted metal
- #11: And yet more new colors. Bookcarts became so beloved by librarians that something strange started happening. Photo source: http://www.kingsley.com
- #12: Bookcart Drill Teams were formed. This depressed our ability to innovate Photo Source: American Library AssociationURL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ala_members/2646368549/sizes/m/in/photostream/
- #13: We became fiercely protective of book carts
- #14: Thankfully, the globalization of …everything …brought bookcart innovation to the US Some new variations started turning up. Photo Source: http://comm439fa09.csulb.wikispaces.net/Globalization
- #15: For example the double sided, sloped book cart with snazzy patterned walls And the skinny book cart! Definitely European, right? http://www.hertzfurniture.com/ - double sided sloped http://www.workalicious.org/ - skinny
- #16: Other minor innovations followed…
- #17: Even more innovative….thepowered book cart and the “big wheel” (voted best in design in 2006 by Library Journal)http://www.libraryjournal.com/ - Big Wheel Best in recent design solutions 2006http://www.kingsley.com/ - Powered cart $4999
- #18: Powered bin $8999Another Kingsley.com photo
- #19: Finally, something completely different….The Ergo Cart was introduced here in the US by FKI Logistex, now known as Lyngsoe. As with the other innovations…from Europe (Denmark). Lyngsoe makes state-of-the-art materials handling systems of which the Ergo Cart is one optional component. The carts are battery operated so operators (shelvers….pages) can easily raise and lower the shelf. This brings us to Trend #1
- #20: Trend #1: automated sorters becoming standard issue in libraries Old libraries are adding sortersNew libraries are being build with very extensive sorters that convey items around rooms and up and and down several floors.
- #21: It began with larger libraries. But the reason it is a trend is because Pictured here: Minneapolis Public
- #22: sorters are now available for smaller libraries (in terms of volume and space and budget)This one can fit in a 10x10 foot spaceEnvisionware Whisper SortQuiet (< 55 db)Barcode or RFIDMinimum workroom space required: 7’x7’ (ideally 10x10)Expandable up to 250 binsApproximately $50,000 with holds handling included (and printer)
- #23: Sorters are really catching on because we cannot handle the volume that our bookdrops were designed to handle Instead of dropping into one bin, you get 3 or more bins worth of holding space Another reason: even with a three bin sorter, you get all the material separated AT LEAST into Return to shelves Media Holds/Exceptions
- #24: Things to Know About Sorters Do NOT require RFID – can sort with barcode or RFID Your available space is the only restriction for how many sorts you can have (adding two additional sort points is cheap e.g. 5-bin to 7-bin….add $10,000) Sorters can drop items into Ergo Carts, Smart Bins, trolleys, delivery totes, and more traditional bins. They are quiet (generally) “Whisper Sort 55 decibels – quieter than a person talking on a cell phone” No special power requirements
- #25: This is where we replace that other tried and true technology….the book drop bin with
- #26: “Patron induction” into the sorterI’m talking about “automated check-in” which is Trend #2Photo Source: New Yorker, July 28, 2009Newton Free Library after 3-Day Closure
- #27: Trend #2: Automated Check-in Becoming Standard
- #28: Automated check-in is where automated check-out was about 10 years ago. I’ll talk in more detail about automated check-in options in a moment. Three big reasons people like automated check-in…Photo Source: kcls.org Redmond Library blog
- #29: Reason 1: People don’t like standing in line no matter how friendly the staff is. Shocking but true. Photo credit: http://karenknowsbest.com/category/returning-books/
- #30: Reason 2: People like getting items checked in immediately.
- #31: Reason 3: People like getting a receipt when they check-in items. Verification that they’ve done their duty. On to related Trend #3
- #32: Putting it all together: sorter + automated check-inAMH….Brings us to Trend #3
- #33: Trend #3: AMH Systems are Getting Better and Cheaper
- #34: Nearly everyone can afford an AMH system Approximately $65,000• Space required: 8x10 • Lots of discharge options: trolleys, totes (bins), book carts, your own book bins • One pictured here (Lyngsoe) is “convertible.” • The totes are on a shelf which can be dropped to make space for more trolleys (for high-volume return days)
- #35: Old libraries are adding sorters even inside their tiny, difficult spaces where there was only a bookdrop bin before All three bin sorters pictured here All under $100,000 (well under) including a self-check-in (or two) Very flexible in terms of dealing with tricky, small spaces All three are Lyngsoe systems – a company particularly capable of dealing well with tricky spaces and building excellent products
- #36: Benefits 1. Items checked in before patron enters library 2. Check-in eliminated from staff workflow 3. Separate ready-to-shelve returns 4. Separate media (protect them from damage) 5. Separate items needing staff (e.g. holds, exceptions)
- #37: Locations• outside wall (in place of or supplementing book drops) • entry way for 24/7 access • inside near service desks Access • no access door (dump) • button to start process • require library card to open door or scan library item Feeding • one-at-a-time (read each bar code or RFID tag) and decide to accept or reject, verify check=in • dump ‘em in (RFID only), may end up getting more than you bargained for, faster Interface • touch screen with instructions, verify success along the way • lights (dump now, wait) RFID or bar code or both • can have bar code reader on top and bottom 2012 © Lori Bowen Ayre / The Galecia Group. This work product is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.
- #38: Pictured here:Library Mate 2000 • exterior use • lighted! • touch screen • rejects items • access door
- #39: Full service (Lyngsoe on left) versus bare-minimun (Kingsley on right) Lyngsoe LibraryMate® 500 (LM500) • entry-level • wall-mounted • internal • 1,000 library items per hour • does not reject items • no receipt functionality • multiple languages • barcode and RFID
- #40: 3M Post-it Note strategy - make something well, standardize and sell a bunch of the exact same thing3M FX Model - Expandable • 3M FX 5 Bin Base Model is $77k • 3M FX 7 Bin Base Model is $100k • staff induction - add $31k • Includes installation and a one year warranty.
- #41: Don’t reinvent the wheel. Trion AG (big sorter company in UK) purchased by Bibliotheca. Example of a 7-bin sorter from the new Bibliotheca acquisition $100,000 range
- #42: Ability to deliver 3-bin sorter and automated check-in for under $50,000 (cheaper than an employee) These “budget” sorters don’t include all the self-check-in features mentioned earlier. For example, they keep the cost down by eliminating the touch screen (extra $14,000) 3M Intelligent Return (not expandable) • Cost: $40,000 including installation and one year warranty, indoor, push button activation (no touch screen) • EM Re-sensitizing +$6K • Outdoor + $3K • Touch screen $14-$18K (indoor-outdoor)
- #43: Another budget model, super low-entry level 3-bin from Bibliotheca SmartSort 200 • No touch screen • No receipt • No reject option • Inside and outside models • Pricing: $30K range with 3-bin sorter There’s another application for sorters that don’t directly involve patrons….Trend #4
- #44: Trend #4: Sorters being used for interlibrary delivery Interlibrary delivery – almost always sort to “totes”
- #45: Sorting to Delivery TotesCincinnati Can sort to delivery totes or big bins (trolleys). It even supports sorting to one side of the tote or the other. See the drop-down shelf. Interlibrary sorters can get quite large….
- #46: This is decent sized interlibrary delivery sorter in Las Vegas. By Envisionware, not mentioned yet. Actually sorter is by P.V. Supa (Finnish) but resold by Envisionware.
- #47: One of the largest in the country is NYPLLocated in QueensBarcode, not RFIDtwo-thirds the size of a football field!one seven hour shift with the sorter can do an amount of work that used to take two days with three times the staff. 24 hour turnaround for all returns and branch requests from service building132 bins Photo: http://www.geekosystem.com/new-york-public-library-sorting-machine/
- #48: The biggest one in the country: King County Library System in Washington state. 150 sort destinations with room for 50 moreSort 54,000 items a dayBar code based: sort via SIP2 connection to ILS Both NYPL and King County are Lyngsoe…..obviously a big player in the library materials handling market. I’ve also mentioned Bibliotheca, 3M, and Envisionware. I will talk about Tech-Logic soon and mkSorting….but let’s talk about Trend #5
- #49: Not a trend but worth knowing about – another solution to the high interlibrary delivery volume libraries are facing
- #50: Trend #5 AMH Vendor Marketplace is Consolidating
- #51: LyngsoeBibliotheca3MEnvisionwareTech-Logic mkSorting – kiosksDtech- new kid from Europe. Haven’t talked about D-Tech, new player, wait and see Tech-Logic – haven’t mentioned because they don’t have small systems. Tend to be custom built and are kinda beefy. But have some unique elements….
- #52: Tech-LogicBig bins that can dump material onto a conveyor and get it sorted (deshingler) option for minimal staff handling of interlibrary delivery by transporting this “smart bins” Tech-Logic is the only company that fine sorts….
- #53: Tech Logic “Book Placer” SystemSeattle Public – you may have seen the video. Not doing that anymore because it was too slow for their volume. Stick with Tech-Logic and talk about Trend #6…more self check devices.See the YouTube video athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WForMh0jI4
- #54: Also see this YouTube video of the “Loader Unloader”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSnQBsrOxmw
- #55: Trend #6: More Ways to do Self Service
- #56: Tech Logic MyMobileLibrary: App, Powered by Boopsie (Debuted in New Orleans) mobile self check-out application scan barcode with smartphone’s camera to check out Works with MyMobileLibrary: Security Kiosk place items onon kiosk shelf and the items’ RFID theft bits are automatically deactivated if the items have been properly checked out Can also manage their library account Compatible with Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, and Windows Mobile.
- #57: Another kind of self-service: Disc dispensers Formerly ITG DiscXpress• 500 discs per tower • inside are five carousels containing 125 items each • Handles multipart sets nicely (up to 5 discs at a time) LAT (Library Automation Technologies) also sells a disc dispenser
- #58: LAT’s allCIRC productDispenses media and acts as a self-check-out station for all other materialPhoto source: http://latcorp.blogspot.com/2008/07/bill-clinton-needs-allcirc.html
- #59: Kiosk + one tower $13,500 Each tower another $5,000 $13, 500 500 discs $27/disc $18,500 1000 discs $18/disc $23,500 1500 discs $16/disc $28,500 2000 discs $14/disc San Bernardino has one. Related to these self-service dispensers are kiosks which I’ll call Trend #7
- #60: Trend #7 Kiosks Filling a Niche Lots of them seem to be going in They do fill a niche (cheaper than a library, subway stations, etc) But, still working out the kinks
- #61: Mk LibDispenser (Milbrae) $160,000 plus install which can be significant Capacity: 500 books Two models: one or two screens • Two screens allow a person to browse while another person returns or picks-up items • Can be more confusing… • OPAC access (optional) Barcode or RFID
- #62: $140,000 • 1st customer went live 1/26/12 (and they’re happy!) • 220 books or 500 CD/DVDs • 24/7 • RFID required • Walk-up service only
- #63: $140,000 1st install: Pittsburg Point BART Library-A-Go-Go • Targeting > 20 miles from a library outlet and commuters • Very popular • Hasn’t been easy going: lots of fiddling required (thanks Contra Costa!) • Signing up lots of new patrons 2012 © Lori Bowen Ayre / The Galecia Group. This work product is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.
- #64: Another Envisionware products…like sorters which were from PV Supa, this product is from a Chinese company but now resold by EnvisionwareClaim to fame: simpler but not cheaperThree models – 200-400-800Return bins of this model: 14 (so sorted)
- #65: $20,000 Connect to ILS (or not) • If not, batch updates to ILS required Don’t accept returns so labor intensive But they’re a hit!
- #66: Brand new product from Tech Logic: MediaSurfer• libraries manage content and configuration • patrons can also download whatever they wish during their use of the device • Upon return, system wipes all activity and downloads and restores the device to the default (library) configuration • Credit card swipe is optional Let’s talk about RFID for a moment and Trend #8
- #67: Trend #8: New Products/Services from RFID RFID isn’t now used this way but it has the potential to change a lot of our workflows Some of the products above only work with RFID (e.g. the kiosks) but there are other opportunities you haven’t seen yet.
- #68: “RFID Tunnel” • Used in UK, but not here (yet). • Put your box of stuff from B&T in the tunnel and everything inside gets checked in. (up to 50 items) • $11K From Bibliotheca
- #69: Another new thing from Bibliotheca – SmartStock 600 • Fits onto existing library shelves • Includes antenna every foot plus reader at the end of the section • Connected to ILS via LAN • Powered by Ethernet • Pricing may change but now approximately $250 per 3’ section Limited deployment for certain high-demand shelves in backroom?
- #70: Other items for RFID… reasons for new opportunities with RFID are the newly adopted standardsTalk about sorting from RFID tag instead of SIP2 call
- #71: • What’s New – ISO 28560-2 US Data Profile• Why it matters – Do more with RFID tags – RFID Interoperability! http://galecia.com/presentations/
- #72: More info on AMH on my website Also see some fun AMH videos
- #73: Feel free to contact me: lori.ayre@galecia.com, (707) 763-6869http://galecia.comCheck out some related videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/loriayre/featured2012 © Lori Bowen Ayre / The Galecia Group. This work product is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.
- #74: San Francisco Public Library Book Returnhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2TklULYpJs