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Visualizer is VTLS' Web-based software solution that makes it possible to search all of your institution's in-house and remote electronic resources in one place. By storing only metadata about your collection, Visualizer is able to almost instantaneously search and provide results found in the contents of any collection of electronic data–such as an ILS like Virtua or a digital repository like VITAL–as well as external electronic data sources. Visualizer then provides a way for the user to access these full data sources with a single click.
In addition to making your collections searchable, Visualizer displays hyperlinked search facets that are relevant to the performed search on each screen; these categorical links can be used to refine the search without the need to enter another search term. The hyperlinked search facets can also be used for faceted browsing, since Visualizer exposes faceted information about items on the search screen itself–and enables users to easily find an item that fits one or several criteria. Exposing facets as search links on the search screen eliminates the need for users to understand how to use complicated searches. These links can also serve as a way for users to browse data without performing any searches at all.
By exposing these facets of information to the user that he or she might not have known to search for, Visualizer's facets make your collection much more accessible. Rather than being limited by what you might choose to highlight on the front search page, hyperlinked search facets expose parts of your collection that are relevant to the user's search–without the need for the user to know it's here.
In addition to a facet-based search engine and user interface, Visualizer provides...
- A knowledge base, which enhances your current metadata, allowing for better discovery.
- A data harvester, which can easily harvest data from Virtua or any OAI-compliant source.
- A metadata-indexing tool used to apply regular updates to Visualizer.
