3M Donates Standard Interchange Protocol (SIP) to National Standards Organization (NISO)

  3M Donates Standard Interchange Protocol (SIP) to National Standards
  Organization (NISO)

     3M Library Systems Collaborates with NISO to Enhance Future Library
                          Self-Service Technologies

Business Wire

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- June 07, 2012

3M Library Systems and NISO have joined together in an effort to drive future
innovation of the Standard Interchange Protocol (SIP) as an American National
Standard. Originally this was developed by 3M to provide a common
communication language that would drive adoption of self-service systems for
libraries. SIP has become the de-facto standard for the communication between
self-service devices and Integrated Library Systems (ILS) globally.

Shortly after 3M introduced the first SelfCheck System for libraries in 1992,
it quickly became evident that there was a need for a standardized
communication mechanism for ILS and self-service devices. As a leader in
library technology and a strong advocate for the advancement of libraries, 3M
initiated development of SIP which paved the way for self-service devices in
libraries and brought many new suppliers and innovations to the market.

Since the inception of SIP in 1993, 3M has continued to lead the development
of updated versions, most recently with version 3.0 released in late 2011.
Each update has addressed the evolving needs of libraries and has provided
extensions to simplify and support automated materials handling systems, PC
management systems and fine and fee payment solutions.

“We are proud of the contributions SIP has made to the library community over
the years. While 3M has always sought input from the libraries, developers and
interested parties in enhancing the protocol, the time is right for further
development of SIP to be done in a more independent, community environment
which NISO provides,” said Skip Driessen, Global Business Manager for 3M
Library Systems.

“The maturity of the SIP protocol and its implementation track record should
allow it to move quickly through the NISO standardization process,” stated
Todd Carpenter, NISO Managing Director. “We anticipate that version 3.0, as it
currently stands or with very minor revisions, will be adopted as a standard
following a brief period of review within a NISO Working Group.”

Anyone interested in participating in the working group to review SIP 3.0 and
prepare it for balloting as a NISO standard should contact NISO at
nisohq@niso.org. More information about the project, including the project
proposal, can be found on the NISO website in the SIP Workroom:
www.niso.org/workrooms/sip.

About 3M Library Systems
3M Library Systems is committed to helping libraries thrive by providing
cutting edge technologies including RFID, automated materials handling (AMH),
self check and security solutions, as well as our latest innovation 3M Cloud
Library, the fastest growing eBook Lending Service. Finding the technology
solution that is right for each unique library, 3M’s promise is to deliver a
long term partnership that is built to exceed expectations. Follow us on
Twitter @3MLibrary or visit www.3M.com/us/library.

About 3M
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of
ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a
never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the
innovation company that never stops inventing. With $30 billion in sales, 3M
employs 84,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries.
For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

3M is a trademark of 3M Company.

About NISO
NISO, based in Baltimore, Maryland, fosters the development and maintenance of
standards that facilitate the creation, persistent management, and effective
interchange of information so that it can be trusted for use in research and
learning. To fulfill this mission, NISO engages libraries, publishers,
information aggregators, and other organizations that support learning,
research, and scholarship through the creation, organization, management, and
curation of knowledge. NISO works with intersecting communities of interest
and across the entire lifecycle of information standard. NISO is a
not-for-profit association accredited by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI). For more information, visit the NISO website: www.niso.org.

Contact:

Karwoski & Courage Public Relations
Emily Finley, 612-342-9732
e.finley@creativepr.com
or
3M
Connie Thompson, 651-733-8914
3M Public Relations
www.3m.com/PressContact