What is LibraryLink?
LibraryLink is a digital image and document management system that integrates seamlessly into ESRI ArcGIS, MapInfo Professional, custom databases and all exeGesIS products.
The backbone of the LibraryLink system is a relational database storing a thumbnail for each of your digital files and a comprehensive set of metadata fields (such as title, annotation, copyright, keywords, etc.).
Why use LibraryLink?
Digital files on computer hard drives have replaced paper and photographic archives and it has become a core challenge for businesses and organisations to catalogue and manage these digital assets. Today almost all of our decision making processes depend on retrieving and assessing digital information efficiently and reliably.
With LibraryLink any business or organisation can now integrate digital asset management into their GIS and database systems and immediately benefit from its comprehensive set of tools.
How does LibraryLink work?
LibraryLink uses ThumbsPlus, developed by Cerious Software, to provide comprehensive image and document management functionality. ThumbsPlus allows LibraryLink users to keep track of files using a database which is frequently referred to as a “digital catalogue”. Whenever new files are being created, ThumbsPlus can be used to catalogue the file, which generates an entry in the database containing a thumbnail and additional metadata. This process doesn’t affect the source file which can stay in the location where it was last saved. Once files are catalogued, ThumbsPlus should be used to move or rename them, as this avoids breaking the link between file and catalogue entry.
Once files have been catalogued with ThumbsPlus they can be associated with database and GIS records using LibraryLink. This is done by calling LibraryLink from the parent application and supplying it with a record identifier. LibraryLink then displays any files that have previously been associated with the database/GIS record and allows the user to add or remove links to images and documents. This can be done by simply dragging thumbnails into the current record section to add them or by dragging thumbnails out of the current record section to remove them.
To quickly find certain files in the catalogue, LibrayLink provides fast searching functionality. Simply enter a keyword and select the metadata fields that should be searched and LibraryLink will return matching results which can then be used to link to the current record.
Sometimes it may be necessary to see the original file which was catalogued. Simply double-click on a catalogue thumbnail and it will be displayed in the Librarylink Image Viewer or in its parent application.
Please see the LibraryLink screenshot section for more details or view the LibraryLink Demo.
Interested?
To find out more and to discuss your requirements, please get in touch with Tobi Tonner (tobit@esdm.co.uk; 01874 713070).