Library management, built on open standards — not vendor lock-in.
OpenLX is a Linux technology enterprise delivering globally accepted, open-standards services on Koha and DSpace for library management, alongside other applications and tools.
We'd like to introduce your institution to value-based computing and IT infrastructure, through Linux and open-standards, open-source technology.
Students exposed to Linux and open source learn well beyond their syllabus — they gain a kind of passion and knowledge that shapes their lives, brings credit to the institution, and creates a genuine win-win for everyone involved.
When an institution and its faculty take up the responsibility of exposing students to Linux and open-source technology, it transforms the environment — building better human beings, not just skilled manpower.
You don't need extra resources or new infrastructure to do this. These technologies integrate into how your institution already works. All that's needed is intention — the decision to set a higher standard of creativity in the institution. The result: a better environment for students, and real savings from cutting wasteful expense, while running the best available technology.
If you're already running a proprietary library system, here's what's worth considering.
| Situation you may face | Proprietary system | Koha — open standards |
|---|---|---|
| Access to future development of the application? | Only the supplying company can do it — high cost to you, windfall profit for the vendor. | Source code is available free of cost for in-house development. |
| What happens when you need a new feature? | Only the vendor can build it, at their price. | Build it in-house or bring in any vendor of your choice — with the leverage of multiple offers. |
| Full access to your own database for data-mining or study? | No — usually locked in a proprietary or encrypted format. | Runs on open-standards MySQL, fully available to you at no extra cost. |
| Have you spoken to others who migrated from proprietary systems to Koha? | Try it — the reasons behind their move tend to be revealing. | Not applicable — Koha users keep their choice of vendor at every stage. |
| Can you run without an AMC, using an in-house team? | No — the AMC is compulsory, a high recurring cost year after year. | Your in-house team can learn and manage Koha directly, backed by visit-based support only as needed. |
| Can your in-house team build additional features? | No — even minor features require the vendor, since the source is closed. | Source code is open, so development can happen in-house or through any vendor you choose. |
| Does your system meet global MARC standards? | Check carefully — most proprietary systems follow their own internal standard. | 100% compliant with MARC and related library standards. |
| Does your system meet open-standards architecture? | No. | 100% compliant with open-standards architecture. |
We're talking about savings on:
- High-cost software licensing
- High-cost software maintenance — including virus, hacking and crash recovery
- High-end technology deployment for the institution's day-to-day working
- High-end technology for experimental and learning laboratories for students
- A stronger working and research environment for faculty and students alike
Full details about us and our services are on our website — we'd welcome the opportunity to bring these services to your institution and the libraries under your guidance.
We'd like to start by working closely with your institution to move the library-automation journey forward across India — full automation, built on best-of-breed, globally accepted open standards. Substantial cost savings, alongside the richness and ease of the latest technology, at the most current levels available.
Koha and DSpace aren't just cost-effective — they're built on globally accepted open standards, and used by thousands of libraries in India and worldwide. As automated libraries mature, there's a clear push to migrate existing systems to Koha and DSpace, among other reasons:
Alongside our alliance partners and support locations across India and the world, we're well placed to see this through to your complete satisfaction.
Write in for a demonstration and discussion — a conversation that works in favour of you, your institution, your faculty, and your students.