"Events of the last year have reshaped the library technology industry. Previous rounds of acquisitions pale in comparison to the acquisition of ProQuest by Clarivate, which has propelled the leading library technology provider into the broader commercial sector of scholarly communications. This deal signals that the gap in size among vendors is widening, as ProQuest businesses Ex Libris and Innovative Interfaces also join Clarivate.
The emergence of such a large business at the top of the industry has accelerated consolidation among mid-level players that aim to increase scale and efficiency to remain competitive. This was a banner year for consolidation of midsize competitors, with more acquisitions than any prior year.
These deals raise concerns about weakened competition, but they may also enable new industry dynamics that will spark innovation and synergy within the broader research and education landscape. Small companies with visions for innovation often lack the resources to deliver, which larger companies can provide. Increased investor and stockholder involvement, however, translates into pressure to maximize profits and growth. The way these competing dynamics play out has important implications for libraries."
Vad innebär ovanstående för bibliotekssystemsmarknaden för folkbibliotek i Norden?
Kortfattat om situationen i de nordiska länderna:
Danmark
Nationella upphandlingar av bibliotekssystem
Norge
Gör stora upphandlingar, många kommuner upphandlar gemensamt. Deichman har nyligen gjort en stor upphandling som kan komma att ge en leverantör drygt 50% av de norska biblioteken
Finland
Dominerande leverantörer:
Axiell,
Koha-Suomi Oy (kommunägt bolag som underhåller och utvecklar Koha)
Island
Sverige
Många kommuner ingår i kommunövergripande samarbeten som upphandlar gemensamt
Något om några av leverantörerna:
Axiell
Bibliotek-Systemer As
Levererar endast till norska bibliotek
imCode
Levererar utöver Koha även andra tjänster till svenska och nordiska offentliga uppdragsgivare
Systematic
Levererar bibliotekssystem till samtliga danska folk- och skolbibliotek, svenska skolor, Deichman och så småningom troligen en stor mängd norska folkbibliotek samt lösningar inom
flera olika brancher