OCLC Telecommunications Usage
Analysis Now Available from BCR

By Regan W. Harper

To help your library choose the most appropriate and cost-effective method of OCLC access, BCR is now able to prepare an analysis of your institution's OCLC usage. This analysis can provide information about your institution's OCLC telecommunications traffic for a 12-month period. In addition, the analysis can estimate your current OCLC access costs and compare those costs to estimated costs for Internet and OCLC Dedicated TCP/IP access.

The analysis will provide the following:

This page provides telecommunications traffic for the OCLC institution symbols you requested for the 12-month period. Included in this report are the number of multidrop lines, terminals and Com- Controllers at each institution and the average monthly Dial, Multidrop, TLP, Internet and Dedicated TCP/IP connect hours during the period.
This page summarizes the total picture of the access facilities and minimum, average and maximum connect hours for the OCLC institution symbol(s).
Based on the information contained in the Total Telecommunications Traffic report, the price comparison estimates your institution's current OCLC access costs and estimates the costs for your institution for Internet connect-time access, Flat Fee Internet (single-institution only) and Dedicated TCP/IP access. Prices used are from this fiscal year's price list.
In addition to the information outlined above, an Explanation of Usage Analysis Data letter will accompany the analysis. This outlines the data elements provided. Also provided are Usage Analysis Assumptions and Migration Planning Considerations to factor into your institution's migration plan.

Additional information about all OCLC access options is available at www.oclc.org/oclc/menu/com.htm. The order form for Flat Fee Internet pricing is available either from BCR or is on the web at www.oclc.org/ oclc/forms/flafee.htm. The Dedicated TCP/IP Line Request form used to order Dedicated TCP/IP access is available from BCR.

If you have any questions about this analysis or OCLC access options, or if you would like to order an analysis for your institution, please contact Regan W. Harper (rharper@bcr.org) at the BCR Aurora office.