Supplying a document via Web Delivery

Web delivery allows a document to be 'delivered' directly to the end user's desktop. Rather than sending the document to the requesting library, the lender (responder) transmits an email directly to the end user, which includes an URL link to the requested document. Clicking on the URL link takes the end user back to the lender (responder's) website where the document can be viewed and/or printed, but not downloaded. The documents are usually in a secure PDF format. The main advantage for the supplier is that the electronic version of their document remains under their control.

 

The request must fulfil the following conditions before Web Delivery can be used:

Preparing the document

 

Before adding the url link to a request, the responding library should:

To link the document to the request

 

In the Web Admin client, first select an incoming copy request. If a document is to be linked to the request, then the add  button will be displayed in the hitlist. A document can then be linked to a request as follows:

  1. Use the ILL Request Search screen to locate the ILL request.

  2. In the hitlist click add to display the Request Details. Scoll down this page until you reach the Document Details.

  3. You can enter a file path to the document stored in VDX's document store. Alternatively you can use the browse button to locate the relevant file from your document store.

  4. A standard Windows file dialogue is now displayed.

  5. Select the file by pressing the Open button.

  6. Having selected the required document, use the attach button to link the requested document to the current request.

  7. This causes a document details form to be displayed ILL Attachment Details where specific disposal conditions and copyright texts may be added to the document information.

  8. Select the appropriate Doc Disposal Condition (if required) and enter a copyright statement (this can be left blank).

  9. Finally hit the Save button to store this information in the database.

The name of the document and its transmission status is now displayed under the 'attached documents'. You will see a hot link which, when followed, will display the inserted document.

Note: When a document is attached, VDX will convert a tiff document into pdf format. It will also create a URL and an access key.

Transmitting the document

 

The document is 'transmitted" using the SHIPPED action. This sends a user alert to the end user's email delivery address. The user alert includes the  DocFetch URL and an access key. The base URL within the VDX System Globals record in VDX. (see System Administrator's Help for details of how to do this using the Windows Admin Client).

The access key is in the format of a user name and password.

 

Authenticating use

 

The end user retrieves the document by clicking on the url  link. The user is prompted for a username and password which are used for authenticating the user. Depending on local copyright laws, a copyright notice may be shown. The end user will need to acknowledge this copyright warning notice before the document is displayed. The requested document is then displayed. WebPDF documents are subject to the same access limits as other forms of online documents. See Deleting a document

 

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