M3^® (Free Download)

Here's What's New in Version 1.7 SP1 

Mandarin M3® is known for its powerful, sophisticated yet simple-to-use features – and now there’s more of the same! If you purchased M3 version 1.6 (or earlier) or if you downloaded a free version of M3 (version 1.6 or earlier), now is the time to upgrade to version 1.7 SP1.

 

Circulation

• The Check Holdings for Reserves  feature  has  been  corrected.  This  feature  allows  you to create holds for  all  newly-added and available items, where  all  pre-existing holdings were on loan and reserved.
• If  the default  loan  period  extends  beyond  a  global  recall  date,  the  global  recall date  is always used as  the due date, even  if  there  is a session-based due date  that  is sooner than the recall date.
• When you search for an item and click the barcode in the results list, the item loads in the item pane, but the transaction does not process.
• On Windows  Vista,  you can search  using  Search  Dialog and select the  item  (or patron) to load into Circulation.
• Windows  2003  (including  XP  x64)  and Windows  Vista users no longer receive the “Initialization Failed” dialog during start up.
• Various scenarios involving adjusting or overriding bookings when loaning items have been addressed: Adjusted loan overlaps  first day of booking;  first-created,  not  first-up  booking  removed  by  loan  override;  more  than  one  booking  not handled  when  a  loan  overrides  more  than  one  booking. 
• If an overdue item is renewed during the Grace Period, the Overdue Item block message is no longer displayed.
• When a Booking is canceled, Circulation no longer sends out the Item Hold email.
• Cancel  override  when  doing  batch  processes  (renewal)  does  not  stop  the  transaction from processing on the first item that triggers the override. Some holds may not appear under  Item Transactions, but  they do show up under Patron Transactions.
• When there are multiple reserves, skipping the patron with the hold and loaning the item to another patron causes the hold to be lost.

 

Inventory

• Inventory now operates consistently on multiple-core CPU’s.

This release introduces new features in the M3 Core modules as well as several innovative optional modules, including Syndetic Solutions, MARC Magician integrated with M3 Cataloging, and M3 Pocket Module.

New M3 Core module features are outlined below.

Cataloging

• Ability to import pictures and to update patron and item records with these pictures.
• Ability to create multiple holdings for a bibliographic record at one time.
• When sorting, non-filing characters ("the", "a", and so on) are now ignored.
• When creating a new holding for an existing bibliographic record, the prefix (852#k) is now copied into the new holding record.
• Ability to tag a block of records in the main Cataloging window by selecting the first record and pressing SHIFT while selecting the last record; this tags all records in between.
• The removal of empty fields after saving a record is now optional.

Windows^® OPAC

• Ability to view book cover images.
• Ability to link to Syndetics Solutions, which allows patrons to view summaries, reviews, and other content data for items in your collection. It also provides cover images for thousands of items. This is available on a subscription basis for an additional charge.
• Ability to customize your library name on the main window.br />
• Ability to save and print holdings data from the Search Results and Bookbag windows.
• Ability to view holdings information in the Bookbag Details window.
• In libraries with union databases, local holdings are indicated by a star-shaped Availability and Tagging check box.

Circulation

• New shortcut toolbar on the main window contains buttons for commonly- used functions. This might ship off by default.
• Ability to renew all or return all transactions in the Transactions pane is available from a transaction menu.
• Ability to apply refunds or enter additional fines in the Payment window.
• Ability to search for a patron or item from the main window by typing keywords in the Barcode box.
• The display of override messages in Self-Check mode is now optional. If they are disabled, the only message that will display is if the item is non- circulating.
• Ability to disable the History tab in the Circulation Options dialog box.
• Ability to enable a message to display when an item is being placed on hold instead of reserve.
• A warning message displays when an item that is assigned to a special reserve group is returned.
• If a scanned barcode is invalid, three distinct beeps will sound.
• When an item is recorded as lost, the fine assigned will be the item price indicated in field 852#9. If no price exists, the fine will be the maximum fine as set in Group Editor.

Miscellaneous

• The Search dialog box used in Cataloging, Circulation, and Group Editor is now able to handle special characters, such as ampersands (&).
• Ability to change the font size and type in the record editor (visible in Cataloging and Circulation) by modifying the Default Grid Font entry in the ActiveMarcEdit.ini file. The default font setting is 8 pt MS Sans Serif.