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Okay, let s break down Ex Libris Group, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care:

Ex Libris Group Overview

Ex Libris is a leading provider of cloud-based library management systems and related solutions for academic, national, and research libraries. They offer a comprehensive suite of products and services designed to streamline library workflows, improve resource discovery, and enhance the user experience.

Here s a more detailed look at their core areas:

• Library Management Systems (LMS):

  • Alma: Their flagship cloud-based unified library management system, handling acquisitions, cataloging, circulation, resource management, and more.
  • Primo: A discovery and delivery solution that allows users to easily search and access library resources from various sources.
  • Leganto: A course resource list management system for instructors and students.
  • Rapido: An interlibrary loan (ILL) and resource sharing solution.

• Research Solutions:

  • Esploro: A research information management solution designed to showcase and analyze research outputs.
  • Pivot-RP: A funding and expertise discovery platform.

• Digital Asset Management:

  • Rosetta: A digital preservation and repository solution for managing digital assets over time.

• Learning and Engagement:

  • CampusM: A mobile app and portal solution for students.

• Focus: Primarily serves higher education institutions, national libraries, and research libraries.

• Business Model: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) primarily with annual subscriptions.
• Acquired by Clarivate: Ex Libris was acquired by Clarivate in 2015.

Revenue

• Private Information: Ex Libris is a division of Clarivate, a publicly traded company. Therefore, exact revenue figures for Ex Libris are not publicly available. Clarivate reports its overall revenue, but not specific figures for each division.
• Estimated Significant Market Share: As a major player in the library technology space, it is estimated that Ex Libris generates substantial revenue within the Clarivate portfolio.
• Growth and Expansion: Clarivate has invested in expanding Ex Libris’s product offerings and market reach.

Alternatives to Ex Libris

The library technology market has several providers, depending on what specific functionality you are looking for. Here are some significant alternatives, broken down by category:

• Unified Library Management Systems (LMS):

  • Folio (EBSCO): An open-source, cloud-based LMS, which provides a modern alternative.
  • Innovative (part of Clarivate): Offeres solutions such as Sierra and Polaris, with a focus on traditional and more tailored ILS needs.
  • SirsiDynix: Provides Symphony and other solutions for academic and public libraries.
  • OCLC: Offers WMS, a cloud-based library management service.
  • Koha: An open-source Integrated Library System (ILS).

• Discovery Solutions:

  • EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS): A popular discovery tool for various types of libraries.
  • Summon (ProQuest/Ex Libris competitor): Another major discovery provider (Although Ex Libris owns Primo).
  • WorldCat Discovery (OCLC): Discovery tool integrated with the Worldcat database.

• Research Information Management Systems:

  • Pure (Elsevier): A research information management platform that manages data across research lifecycles.
  • Symplectic Elements: Another popular Research Information Management solution.

• Digital Asset Management:

  • Preservica: A cloud-based digital preservation solution.
  • CONTENTdm (OCLC): A content management system for digital collections.

Factors to consider when choosing an alternative:

• Specific Needs: The type of library, its size, and specific requirements should be considered.
• Budget: Open-source solutions like Folio and Koha may be more affordable than commercial options.
• Integrations: How well the software integrates with existing systems should be assessed.
• User Experience: The user interface and ease of use are critical.
• Support: The level of customer support and documentation offered by the vendor.

Pricing

• Subscription-Based: Ex Libris generally operates on a SaaS model with annual subscriptions.
• Custom Quotes: Pricing is not publicly listed and is usually determined based on:
  • Library size: (student population, number of staff, etc.)
  • Modules chosen: Which modules are required from the various Ex Libris suites.
  • Implementation costs: Setup fees and data migration.
  • Customization: Customization requirements.
• Contractual Negotiations: Pricing is often negotiated through contracts.
• Higher-End Market: Ex Libris tends to be positioned within the higher-end of the library technology market due to its extensive feature set and emphasis on enterprise-level libraries and research institutions.
• Complex Pricing: Prices are difficult to compare between vendors because each solution is complex, and features are bundled differently.

Customer Care Details

• Dedicated Support: Ex Libris provides customer support through various channels:
  • Help Desk/Ticketing System: They generally have a ticketing system for addressing specific technical issues.
  • Account Managers: Dedicated account managers are assigned to clients for ongoing support and training.
  • Online Documentation: Extensive online documentation and user guides are available.
  • Community Forums: They have a user community for discussion and knowledge sharing.
  • Training Programs: Ex Libris offers on-site and online training programs for their products.
• Emphasis on Service: Ex Libris typically focuses on providing robust service and support due to the complexity of its software and the critical nature of its impact on library operations.
• Global Presence: They have a global support network with offices in multiple locations.
• Customer Experience: The quality of the customer support experience varies, with some customers reporting positive experiences and others expressing frustrations regarding responsiveness or the ability to handle specific, complex requirements.

Key Considerations:

• Long-Term Contracts: Library contracts tend to be long-term and involve significant investments, so careful consideration is needed.
• Total Cost of Ownership: It’s important to evaluate total cost of ownership, including setup, training, implementation, and annual subscription fees.

In Summary

Ex Libris is a dominant player in the library technology market. While their precise revenue is not public, it s clear they hold a significant position and are used by many major academic and research institutions. Alternatives do exist, but the choice depends on individual library needs, budget, and technical requirements. Pricing is highly customized, and customer support, while generally extensive, can vary in terms of effectiveness.