Civica and Bridgeall nab Wokingham deal

Reseller Civica has teamed up with software house Bridgeall Libraries to bag a contract from Wokingham District Council to improve its stock management operations.

Bridgeall's smartsm product is an evidence-based stock management (EBSM) tool which aims to help firms lower costs while ameliorating stock performance management and acquisition. The council is to subscribe to the application with Civica's Spydus library management platform housed in the smartsm system library.

Wokingham District Council is hoping the installation will give its staff easier access to required stock management information. The council is targeting improved catalogue performance leading to a better service for its users.

Ian Downie, commercial manager at Bridgeall Libraries, said: “We are delighted to be working closely with Civica to integrate smartsm with Spydus. This now allows Civica’s customers to enjoy the stock performance improvements that smartsm brings and gain additional efficiencies when managing and developing their collections.”

Wokingham District Council is part of SELMS, a UK primary library services consortium model. SELMS aims to introduce automated online library systems at local authorities across the South East of the UK. In line with the government's efficiency agenda, authorities are urged to share resources to facilitate system efficiencies.

Authorities taking part include Brighton & Hove City Council, Buckinghamshire County Council, West Berkshire Council, Milton Keynes Council, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.

Civica director Simon Parkes added: “The combination of Civica and Bridgeall Libraries brings breadth and depth of skill and experience to help library services deliver an enhanced customer experience as well as offering further operational cost savings. We look forward to working together to help Wokingham District Council achieve its goals.”