All SirsiDynix Roads Lead to Rome
Posted On Mar 13 2007My NCSU colleague, Tito Sierra, said to me yesterday, “Haven’t the last two years of the library system industry been more interesting that the previous 10?” I could not disagree. And today’s news not only adds credence to that theory, it could make the next 5–10 years continually interesting. The News SirisDynix announced today that it would begin developing a “holistic platform” for its automation system, code-named Rome. Okay, what does this mean? First some facts, and then some conjecture and editorial. SirsiDynix will unveil that we are blending the strengths and best features of Unicorn, Horizon/Corinthian, and other solutions …
More Leadership Changes and Mergers
Posted On Feb 28 2007One rarely has time to get bored with the ILS industry these days. VTLS “Repositions” VTLS has announced that industry veteran Carl Grant will be stepping down as president and COO. Grant is completing the term of his contract and notified the VTLS Board of Directors that he “plans to move in a new direction in his career.” Vinod Chachra will resume his role as the company’s president and continue as CEO. Koha Changes Hands And just in case you thought mergers and acquisitions were only for proprietary software…LibLime has just acquired the Koha Division of New Zealand-based Katipo Communications, …
SirsiDynix’s Patrick Sommers Resigns
Posted On Feb 16 2007SirsiDynix announced today that Patrick Sommers is stepping down as chief executive officer, effective immediately. As you will recall, Vista Equity Partners recently acquired SirsiDynix. This was bound to bring some major changes, including this one. I asked Sommers directly in Seattle whether he would remain at the wheel under Vista’s ownership, and he claimed that he would, but I remained suspicious. Suffice it to say, I am not surprised. Perhaps the timing is a bit odd, but the announcement itself was pretty expected. It’s slightly unusual that a replacement was not immediately ready to step in. Martin Taylor, one …