Re: [LM_NET] HIT: Destiny v. Spectrum

[Paula Yohe <paula_yohe@YAHOO.COM>]

I would go ahead and move to Destiny
  Paula

Nicole Lindeboom <LindeboN@KENT-CITY.K12.MI.US> wrote:
  Thank you for all of your input. I simply had all of the responses put into a 
word document. Again, it looks like Spectrum will be supported for at least two 
more years, but our Technology Coordinator is putting a new program into the budget 
now. Based on the responses, I plan on having a demonstration of the Destiny 
software.

From our Sales Representative:
I "just want to clarify that Spectrum will continue to be
supported by Follett. However, it will no longer be updated. 5.3 is
the last update. Did you receive the Destiny information?" 

Michael Drury
Automation Consultant
Sagebrush Corporation
A subsidiary of Follett Software Company
Phone: 800-533-5430 Ext: 6041
Fax: 800-795-4642 or 507-725-2301
Address: 131 Bissen Street
Caledonia, MN 55921
Email: mdrury@sagebrushcorp.com 
Sagebrush website: www.sagebrushcorp.com 
Follett website: http://www.fsc.follett.com/ 


We purchased ATRIUUM from Book Systems instead of going with a Follett
program. We had been longtime Spectrum users also.
Louise Brooks lbrooks@bobcat.k12.ar.us 

I am faced with the same thing. I did a lot of research and now am leaning
toward Atrium by Book Systems
"Frederick Muller" mullinator52@gmail.com 

I would be interested in what you find out. We also have Spectrum and have received 
the invoice from Sagebrush to continue our support at a cost of $450.
Janie Brown/Librarian
Newport Grammar School
301 College St.
Newport, TN 37821

I worked with Spectrum about 7 or 8 years ago when it first came out. I
hated it. Had used Winnebago for years and liked it. Changed districts
and have been using Destiny since. Like it. Intuitive usage. Easy
change for me.
Lisa McCulloch, Librarian
Richland High School
5201 Holiday Lane
North Richland Hills, TX 76180



Hi Nicole:
We have Athena here, also a Sagebrush product which Follett took over. I put money 
for a new software program into my budget in anticipation of it eventually not 
being supported, and much to my surprise, they are giving me money for it. To be 
honest, I've had some panicky moments because I don't know if I'm jumping the gun. 
Supposedly, Follett will be supporting Sagebrush products "for the foreseeable 
future". Logic tells me the days are numbered, but if you've heard anything more 
definitive, could you let me know? I also think Destiny should be offering 
Sagebrush customers a steeper discount than they are currently giving. Money is 
extremely tight, and the last thing I thought I would have to do is spend money on 
a new software program.

I have been looking into Alexandria, from Companion Corp. There has been a lot of 
positive feedback on LM_Net, and it's a little cheaper than Follett. They are 
currently running a 50% off sale. I think our Athena program is like Spectrum in 
that it is fairly simple. Alexandria is more involved, and can be accessed through 
the web. I visited a school that had it yesterday, and they have been happy users 
for 10+ years. You can get a tour online at http://www.goalexandria.com. I like the 
functions of it, I just think it will take some getting used to. Also, their 
hardware requirements (also on the site) are pretty stringent.
If you have any info on Follett and their support or lack of support for the 
Sagebrush products, I would appreciate it.
Eileen Dunnack, LMS
Woodstock Public Schools
Woodstock, CT
dunnacke@woodstockschools.net 

We LOVE Destiny! I would highly recommend. Best automation system I've ever used!
"Carl Harvey" carl_harvey@mail.nobl.k12.in.us 

Nicole, I am exactly in your shoes. Do you have any pricing from Follett?
I have been having some difficulty getting Follett reps to respond for some
strange reason. I don't know if the sales people are not passing on the
info or what the problem might be. How are things going for you?
Bev Nelson bev.nelson@springgrove.k12.mn.us 



Our entire district switched over to Destiny in the fall. We were using Follett 
circ plus before. I like it a lot. It's easy to use, has some improved features 
such as the ability to easily print new barcodes and labels. It has tabs on the top 
to move from circ to cataloging and other modules with ease. It's pretty intuitive 
as well and has practically the entire manual on line under the help menu.
Juliann T. Moskowitz 
Library Media Specialist
Norwalk High School
Norwalk, CT 06851
juliann14@charter.net 


HI,
We just switched to Destiny this year and it seems to be working fine
now that the kinks are worked out. It all depends on how good your
central admin is regarding (PEIMS data), new students, withdrawn
students, transferred students/ teachers, etc. Bottom line, current
student/staff information needs to be updated on a regular basis. It's
easy to use, the training was excellent and the import/add title feature
eliminates the need to subscribe to MARC Wizard (I think). It's
user-friendly!
Corby Ahner
Ojeda JH Library
Austin, Texas
"Ahner, Corby" cahner@del-valle.k12.tx.us 

Nicole:
We began using Destiny at the beginning of this school year
and really like it. Problems have been very few, and tech support has been
great. I can't tell you the difference from another product, as we switched from 
Follett's Circ/Cat+, but I have worked with Spectrum at the local public library 
when I worked there part time, and I prefer the Follett product.
Kate Hass
Librarian
Ubly Community Schools
Ubly, MI 48475
tkhass@bearcat.ubly.k12.mi.us 

We now have Spectrum and are in the process of getting Destiny Library Manager the 
next school year. I'm feeling overwhelmed and hope I made the right decision. Let 
me know what are your thoughts after a meeting with Technology Director.
Carolyn Kirkpatrick
WPSD
Pittsburgh, PA
Carolyn Kirkpatrick ckirkpatrick@wpsd.org 


We have been using Destiny for 2 years and I really like it. It is user friendly, 
and the last upgrade addresses the majority of our requests. I am pleased. We are 
well-supported in our district regarding technology and don't worry about having 
the Internet "up." I have only experienced Internet down time once for part of one 
day, so this web-based product has been no problem. Destiny has been fewer problems 
by far than using the server-based Circ Plus of previous years. Sorry, I cannot 
offer any comments about other systems.
Lisa Hunt lisa3moon@yahoo.com 

Hello Nicole,
I will not be much help for you, but I wanted to express a little sympathy. Very 
frustrating situation that we are kind of forced to change. I am also considering 
what to do since I have Spectrum. I requested a quote for what it would cost to 
switch from Spectrum to Destiny a few months ago and never received 
it--frustrating. I did look online at a few examples of Infocenter and Destiny, 
just to see a comparison of the catalog part. I preferred the functions and look of 
Destiny. You have probably already tried that.
If you receive some good advice, please post a hit.
Good Luck!
Wendi Colby, LMS 9-12
Northwood, NH
wcolby@coebrownacademy.com 


Hi,
I too have Winnebago/Spectrum. If the program is working, why do you
think we Winnebago/Spectrum users need to switch to another company? I
know questions sometimes arise, but I called only once last year and not
at all the year or two before that.
Anyway, please post what you find out.
Thanks.
Judy
Judy Lane Asher
Librarian
Hillside Elementary School
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706


Sorry, I don't have any insights for you. We are in the same position and I have 
the same questions. Will you please post a HIT of any responses you might receive? 
TIA
C. Hartsock
Underwood Community Schools
Underwood, IA 51576

Dear Nicole,
I am facing the same situation. Would you please share the responses you
receive?
Thanks so much!
Robin Curbello
Three Rivers High School Library
Three Rivers, Texas

Nicole, please share the responses you receive. I chose Spectrum when we 
automated because it was so user friendly for a K-8 school. I am not 
thrilled at the prospect of starting the selection process all over again.
Thank you!
Nancy A.
Nancy Andersen
K-8 Librarian
Our Lady's Christian School
606 Lowell Avenue
Erie, PA 16505
andersenN@olcs-erie.com 
814-838-7676

If you don't post a hit, can you email me the information that you receive? 
We're in the same situation. Thanks. Doris Eith, West Deptford Middle 
School, NJ. 
"Doris Eith" doeith@hotmail.com 





Nicole Lindeboom, Media Specialist
Kent City Community Schools, Kent City, MI
lindebon@kent-city.k12.mi.us

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Paula Yohe
Director Of Technology/Library Media Center
Dillon School District Two
405 West Washington Street
Dillon, SC 29536
Phone: 843-841-3604 Fax:843-774-1214
paula_yohe@yahoo.com
 
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