Open Source Solutions for Libraries, Education and Information Management
OpenRequest

OpenRequest/engine is an open source (GPL) pure java component to assist in the construction, deployment, operation and support of distributed document request and mediation services, such as those provided by academic and public interlending consortia.

Out of the box, OpenRequest/engine provides an API to send new ISO ILL (ISO 10161) (And other protocol based) request messasges, to receive and action incoming request events, and to manage the request process when multiple potential responders are involved. When combined with an applications local presentation layer (For example, a rich web application, a thin client, or a fully featured desktop application) OpenRequest/engine provides an organisation with an exceptionally fast route to the provision of advanced ILL technology in existing library and management applications. When combined with a cross searching z3950/SRW product such as JZKit2 OpenRequest can provide a key part of an advanced consortial interlending system. The current version has support for TCP (Simplex and Duplex) and MIME encoded email messaging. Generic Script is being developed now and will be available shortly (Anyone want to fund that? ;)).

The engine provides a standards conformant ISO ILL ( ISO 10161 ) protocol stack and advanced request routing and queuing mechanisms. OpenRequest also contains a request management and tracking database.

Starting with the 1.0.0. release, OpenRequest now includes an additional Integration API which is targeted at vendors and systems integrators looking to use OpenRequest as a black box ILL engine for their own products and systems. This API provides a standard API and set of java DTO objects for use in RMI (Over IIOP if needed) interfaces.

Open request is made available to the public under the terms of the GNU Public License. Not the LGPL. Alternate Commercial Licensing and/or support are available from Knowledge Integration Ltd ( Mail us for details) If you use OpenRequest in your product, please make sure you fully comply with the GPL or talk to us about alternate commercial licensing (Either way, we hope you might be interested in support).

Planned Work

A number of enhancements are planned for 1.1 and beyond, including:

  • your requirements here ;) - Drop us an email if there is a specific feature you need
  • [1.1] DONE: Commit SWING based management console for location and general management.
  • [1.1] Commit Generic Script code and State model
  • [1.2] DONE: Migrate to XDoclet generation of hibernate config
  • [1.2] Improved templating code for simple email requesting
  • [1.2] DONE: Upgrading to A2J 2.0 to take advantage of recent performance improvements and improve build structure
  • [1.2] Replace internal RMI/IIOP comms with JMQ, Java Message Queues for reliable message delivery
  • [1.2] Soap API
  • [1.2] Transactional support for request submission (After MQ intergation) - Java message queues will be syncronised with database commits and message handlers so that commit is atomic and, having "Committed" a request to a message queue, users are certain the message is safe.
  • [later] Addition of new circ interchange protocol
  • [later] Electronic delivery support

OpenRequest is actively maintained, and additional suggestions can be sent to info@k-int.com. Development priorities can be strongly influenced by supported users and targeted developments.

License

OpenRequest and the A2J runtime are made available from developer.k-int.com under the GNU Public License

Additional Information

Software support contracts, alternate (Non GPL) commercial licensing (Single and unlimited deployment), bespoke consultancy and a developer support programme designed to assist you in implementing OpenRequest in your applications are all available by contacting Knowledge Integration Ltd (email info@k-int.com)

Projects