Alma
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1754 results found
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PO Line and invoice attachments: Upload/View/Edit/Delete - additional user roles needed
It is possible to upload attachments to a PO Line or an invoice. These attachements can be viewed, edited and deleted as well.
In case of using Alma as (the only) data storage for e.g. invoice PDFs, it is very important that attachments can be deleted only by specially privileged staff users. Deletion might be necessery e.g. because of erroneous uploads.
Looking into the 'Roles Reports' shows that there is no 'Delete' option listed (so Edit means also Delete):
Purchasing Operator / Purchasing Manager
- polineattachments.xml ... View Edit
- po_attachments.xml ... Edit
- invoiceattachmentstab.xml ... View
- polineattachments.xml ... View
- po_attachments.xml ... View
Purchasing Operator Extended
[nothing for attachments]
Invoice Operator / Invoice Manager / Invoice Operator Extended
- invoiceattachmentstab.xml ... View Edit
- polineattachments.xml ... View Edit
- invoiceattachmentstab.xml ... View
- polineattachments.xml ... View
- po_attachments.xml ... View
The 'Delete' and 'Edit' options should be removed from user roles which are allowed to upload and view attachments.
The 'Delete' option should be be an own user role. Alma already has this differentiation in other areas, e.g.:
- Purchase Request Operator Extended (Delete purchase requests)
- Selector Extended (Delete purchase requests)
- Cataloger Extended (additional delete privilege)
- Physical Inventory Operator Extended (additional delete privilege)
- Electronic Inventory Operator Extended (additional delete privilege)It is possible to upload attachments to a PO Line or an invoice. These attachements can be viewed, edited and deleted as well.
In case of using Alma as (the only) data storage for e.g. invoice PDFs, it is very important that attachments can be deleted only by specially privileged staff users. Deletion might be necessery e.g. because of erroneous uploads.
Looking into the 'Roles Reports' shows that there is no 'Delete' option listed (so Edit means also Delete):
Purchasing Operator / Purchasing Manager
- polineattachments.xml ... View Edit
- po_attachments.xml ... Edit
- invoiceattachmentstab.xml ... View
- poline…
92 votes -
automate user update job to send user emails ie about to expire
Currently the user update job can send emails to patrons. However due to the technical aspect of creating sets and running the job our user services librarians prefer to take the information out of a dashboard and widget and add them to a template email in outlook. It would be better if a schedule job could be created to send out user update emails to logical sets. Specifically for users that are about to expire - and have loans to return.
16 votes -
Update user roles quickly - import the Excel file exported from another user
Currently, it's possible export a user's roles in Alma to an Excel file. However, the counterpart function isn't there: to be able to take the roles you've exported from one user and import them into another user's record. This would be such a time-saving feature because it would enable us to take the roles from one member of staff and apply the same to another.
75 votes -
ACQ: Improve PO Line Claiming job
Please make the PO Line Claiming job more granular. Sending claim letters to all vendors without restriction of any kind is not really feasible.
It should be possible to define own sets of PO lines (which should be claimed) by using the following criteria:
- One time orders
- Continuous orders: All / Serials / Standing orders
- Vendors: All / only specific vendors
- Acquistition types: All / only specific types (purchase, legal deposit, exchange, etc.)38 votes -
For general electronic services links at the item level, allow the item id to be used in the URL
When a General Electronic Service is added as an item-level service, the URL template may be configured to make use of the a bunch of Holdings and item-level information, for exampe, the barcode. But the item id is not included as a possibility. Please add this as an option.
21 votes -
"Create Physical Item Work Order" job - adding notes.
I would like to be able to include a note when bulk creating physical item work orders.
Notes can be added to individual work orders, but the ‘Create physical item work orders’ job doesn’t allow this – only the work order type, managing department, and pick/do not pick from shelf can be specified.
The use case is that we are correcting some of our call numbers, and the physical items will need to be relabeled. I would like those items currently on loan/in transit/in process to have work orders that send them to our repair department for relabeling when returned, with a note explaining that the spine label needs to be changed to match the catalogue.
For major projects and operational workflows we have created new specific managing departments and work order types, and for individual/small numbers we just add notes to clarify a generic work order. This type of case kind of falls in between – big enough not to want to add notes manually, but ad hoc enough not to want (yet) to set up a new work order type.
I would like to be able to include a note when bulk creating physical item work orders.
Notes can be added to individual work orders, but the ‘Create physical item work orders’ job doesn’t allow this – only the work order type, managing department, and pick/do not pick from shelf can be specified.
The use case is that we are correcting some of our call numbers, and the physical items will need to be relabeled. I would like those items currently on loan/in transit/in process to have work orders that send them to our repair department for relabeling when returned,…
36 votes -
"Electronic material type originating from Bib" vs "Electronic material type" : a display issue in the Portfolio service editor's list
In an electronic portfolio, there is a field called "Electronic material type originating from Bib" which can be overloaded by another field called "Electronic material type".
The Job "Change electronic portfolio information" allows to update the material type of portfolios into the field "Electronic material type" into a set of portfolios.
If we do so, the material type is not updated into the Portfolio service editor's list... which is confusing.our request : when the material type of a portfolio has been updated in the field "Electronic material type", ALMA should only considare this material type and display it in the Portfolio service editor's list.
In an electronic portfolio, there is a field called "Electronic material type originating from Bib" which can be overloaded by another field called "Electronic material type".
The Job "Change electronic portfolio information" allows to update the material type of portfolios into the field "Electronic material type" into a set of portfolios.
If we do so, the material type is not updated into the Portfolio service editor's list... which is confusing.our request : when the material type of a portfolio has been updated in the field "Electronic material type", ALMA should only considare this material type and display it in…
18 votes -
Purchase Requests options
We would really like to be able to utilize Alma/Primo VE to its fullest potential, but one of the things lacking in the Purchase Request options is that there is no way to modify the fields or even add additional fields. We are needing at least two additional fields for us to be able to use the built-in functionality - a note field for special instructions (usually entered by faculty) and a level of priority (i.e., Rush or no rush - in the event this request is for a course reserve, it needs to be a priority, but there is no option to flag these using the built-in form).
We would really like to be able to utilize Alma/Primo VE to its fullest potential, but one of the things lacking in the Purchase Request options is that there is no way to modify the fields or even add additional fields. We are needing at least two additional fields for us to be able to use the built-in functionality - a note field for special instructions (usually entered by faculty) and a level of priority (i.e., Rush or no rush - in the event this request is for a course reserve, it needs to be a priority, but there is…
57 votes -
Improve po_line_remove_interested_users_job
The polineremoveinterestedusers job allows institutions to delete Interested Users from PO lines that have closed. However, there are many times when a PO line is closed before the item has left the department; consequently, running the polineremoveinterestedusers job means that interested users may be deleted before the item becomes available. Additionally, while the job removes the Interested Users from Alma, it does not remove the information from Analytics.
We request that:
A. Institutions have the ability to set a delay on the job based on the date the PO line was closed. (E.g., the job runs weekly, but only deletes Interested Users in PO lines that were closed X number of days ago);
B. The job is designed to run on PO lines that are closed but no longer in the department or in a work order (eliminating the risk that Interested Users will be deleted from a closed PO line before the item has left the department);
C. Interested Users that are deleted in PO lines are also scrubbed from Analytics.The polineremoveinterestedusers job allows institutions to delete Interested Users from PO lines that have closed. However, there are many times when a PO line is closed before the item has left the department; consequently, running the polineremoveinterestedusers job means that interested users may be deleted before the item becomes available. Additionally, while the job removes the Interested Users from Alma, it does not remove the information from Analytics.
We request that:
A. Institutions have the ability to set a delay on the job based on the date the PO line was closed.…44 votes -
Alma to DOCLINE OAI-PMH Integration
Integration for automated harvesting of eJournal and pJournal holdings from Alma to Docline (National Library of Medicine's automated interlibrary loan (ILL) request routing and referral system).
88 votes -
Reopening closed POLs should re-encumber funds
Currently re-opening a closed POL doesn’t re-encumber the funds. The workaround for this is to delete the fund, save the change, then add the fund back and save again.
When we brought this up with Ex Libris they advised this can't be done automatically, but that they would instead add a popup message advising the funds will need to be manually re-encumbered. This was supposed to be added in December 2016 release but we noticed some time later that it didn't eventuate (SalesForce case #00436654).
It would save a lot of time if re-opening a closed POL automatically re-encumbered the funds without manual intervention.
Currently re-opening a closed POL doesn’t re-encumber the funds. The workaround for this is to delete the fund, save the change, then add the fund back and save again.
When we brought this up with Ex Libris they advised this can't be done automatically, but that they would instead add a popup message advising the funds will need to be manually re-encumbered. This was supposed to be added in December 2016 release but we noticed some time later that it didn't eventuate (SalesForce case #00436654).
It would save a lot of time if re-opening a closed POL automatically re-encumbered the…
41 votes -
Ability to attach bibliographic record to CZ order
The Change Bib reference action is not available for POLs that have originated from the Community Zone. This is an issue as POLs with CKB references don't have bib record information which can be used in Analytics.
In our SalesForce case about this (00570591) we were told that POLs for an electronic item can be relinked only if it has an MMS ID in the first place, and we see from the manual that changing the bib record isn't possible using the relink action if there’s not already a bib record attached:
https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/020Acquisitions/020Purchasing/045Closing%2C_Reopening%2C_and_Relinking_PO_Lines#Relinking_PO_LinesSo what we want is the ability to order from the CZ and get records with an MMS ID. Ex Libris advised that “currently Alma does not have a good solution to avoid [PO Lines] to be linked to CKB records”).
The Change Bib reference action is not available for POLs that have originated from the Community Zone. This is an issue as POLs with CKB references don't have bib record information which can be used in Analytics.
In our SalesForce case about this (00570591) we were told that POLs for an electronic item can be relinked only if it has an MMS ID in the first place, and we see from the manual that changing the bib record isn't possible using the relink action if there’s not already a bib record attached:
https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/020Acquisitions/020Purchasing/045Closing%2C_Reopening%2C_and_Relinking_PO_Lines#Relinking_PO_LinesSo what we want is the ability…
20 votes -
Add the ability to upload EDI files from FTP sites manually
Currently, Alma will only allow you to manually upload an EDI invoice file from a local folder. If you map an FTP site shortcut to your desktop and attempt to manually upload the EDI invoice file from that location, it will say there is an error. I have confimed that Alma does not currently support manual EDI invoice file uploading from ftp sites, only when you configure it to run automatically.
Import profiles support both processes, so it seems like this area of Alma should support both manual and automatic uploads from FTP sites as well.
15 votes -
E-Collections: Read-only access to Alma for other institutions
We wish to provide read-only access to our Alma instance to other institutions in our consortium and vice versa so that we can compare setup more efficiently. The permissions need to be quite restrictive and prohibit access to financial, patron data, etc. but allow us to view E-Collection, Service and Portfolio level screens.
When comparing set-up of our e-collections we are spending a lot of time discussing via email and sharing screen shots, which is not as efficient as being able to go in with a view privilege and compare in real-time.
76 votes -
don't mark zero usage SUSHI reports as invalid
When SUSHI harvests a report that has no usage for the selected dates, it is labeled as invalid. This is misleading. As long as all the correct headings for the report are in place, the report should be considered valid.
54 votes -
Ampersand symbol (&) in Repository search
It's found that the repository searches using the ampersand (&) symbol and the word 'and' produce different results. Our request is to make the ampersand symbol and the word ‘and’ interchangeable when Alma does repository searches.
SF case # 00646924
66 votes -
Link to next higher level when Alma can't match to article or chapter
When Alma cannot successfully link to an article because of no exact match is found, it would be helpful for Alma to use alternative metadata, such as the page number, to target. It would also be useful to users to be taken to the next higher level of the publication, e.g., the journal issue page. If there is uncertainty about the issue, then users should be taken to the journal page.
This problem frequently arises for short pieces and book reviews. For example, some journals publish book reviews in a section entitled, "Book Reviews", rather than as separate articles. In such cases, Alma's link resolver returns an error and no useful information for the user.When Alma cannot successfully link to an article because of no exact match is found, it would be helpful for Alma to use alternative metadata, such as the page number, to target. It would also be useful to users to be taken to the next higher level of the publication, e.g., the journal issue page. If there is uncertainty about the issue, then users should be taken to the journal page.
This problem frequently arises for short pieces and book reviews. For example, some journals publish book reviews in a section entitled, "Book Reviews", rather than as separate articles. In…44 votes -
Allow part payments to be sent from Alma to WPM for online payments
Allow a user to choose the sum they wish to pay when making an online payment via WPM. At the moment it is only possible to pay the total fine/fees owed, no option is given to enter and pay a lesser amount.
While WPM will accept whatever amount is sent from Alma, and Alma will handle whatever payment is sent from WPM back to Alma (closing fees as possible, and partially closing fees if the paid amount does not exactly match the owed amount), Alma can only send WPM one payment element with the total amount the user owes (as confirmed in https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/090Integrations_with_External_Systems/040Fulfillment/090WPM_Education_E-Payment_System )
Users should be given the option to enter an amount they wish to pay, this is then the amount sent to WPM for processing the payment.
Note we are users of Summon over Alma, so any change to work with Summon as well as Primo.
Allow a user to choose the sum they wish to pay when making an online payment via WPM. At the moment it is only possible to pay the total fine/fees owed, no option is given to enter and pay a lesser amount.
While WPM will accept whatever amount is sent from Alma, and Alma will handle whatever payment is sent from WPM back to Alma (closing fees as possible, and partially closing fees if the paid amount does not exactly match the owed amount), Alma can only send WPM one payment element with the total amount the user owes (as…
55 votes -
Better management of serial prediction when publication frequency changes
Sometimes providers change a journal’s publication frequency throughout the year. So, the prediction’s pattern selected / elaborated at the beginning of the year doesn’t work anymore in Alma. One part of predictions (date of receipt) will be ok until the change but all other predicted items will be false. Now, we can revise the prediction during the year but we must erase the items already received. We can also leave the prediction defined at the beginning of the year and edit manually the false items from the time of the prediction change.
It would save a lot of time if Alma could change the description (number, date, …) only for the items that are impacted by a new publication during the year. We would just have to fill the « Next prediction item’s information » with the new frequency.
This enhancement would save a lot of time to catalogers.Sometimes providers change a journal’s publication frequency throughout the year. So, the prediction’s pattern selected / elaborated at the beginning of the year doesn’t work anymore in Alma. One part of predictions (date of receipt) will be ok until the change but all other predicted items will be false. Now, we can revise the prediction during the year but we must erase the items already received. We can also leave the prediction defined at the beginning of the year and edit manually the false items from the time of the prediction change.
It would save a lot of time if…
425 votesThank you for the suggested idea.
After reading it carefully, I understand that the main pain point here is the removal/fix of items already received.
To be more specific, the description of already received items should be updated to reflect the new pattern.
- Is this understanding correct?
- How often such change happens?
- Can you please add examples of the existing description and the needed update?
- Can the 'Update items using Excel load' CloudApp be utilized for fixing the description? see https://developers.exlibrisgroup.com/appcenter/item-updater-by-excel/
Thanks for the collaboration,
Tamar Fuches
Alma product
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Booking, transit and preview time
We use the booking functionality in Alma for our Audio/Video-equipment. The equipment is administrated by our media production department, and is configured as a library in Alma.
The AV-library is the only place on campus patrons can check out and return AV-items. Apart from that, the AV-library also supports delivery to a library at a different campus (Kjeller).
• The transit time between the AV-library and Kjeller is set to 48 hours.
• The preview time on the equipment booking is set to one hour.Use case:
When scanning an item due for pick-up at Kjeller within the next 48 hours, Alma insists you reshelf the item at the AV-library. Alma keeps on insisting you reshelf the item, until one hour before the booking time, alas until you are within the set preview time. Then, and only then, the item goes into transit to Kjeller, and the workflow is as expected. This of course, results in the equipment being too late for pick up at the Kjeller library.If we change the preview time to 48 hours to accommodate the transit to Kjeller, the correct workflow kicks in at the expected time and the equipment goes into transit. Unfortunately, this affects the preview time for all the AV-items, regardless of pick up location. One apparent downside being patrons are blocked from checking out booked items, 48 hours prior to the booking time.
Our present work-around is to keep an eye on “Monitor Requests and Item Processes”, in order to sort out the equipment booked for pick up at the Kjeller library. Checking out the item as loaned for the patron before shipping it to Kjeller. The obvious downside, not being able to track the item in process, use scan in item … etc.
Suggested solution:
We would like to be able to make an exception to the preview time for bookings in the Fulfillment Unit based on pick up location: IF pick-up location=Kjeller THEN Preview period=48 hours.We use the booking functionality in Alma for our Audio/Video-equipment. The equipment is administrated by our media production department, and is configured as a library in Alma.
The AV-library is the only place on campus patrons can check out and return AV-items. Apart from that, the AV-library also supports delivery to a library at a different campus (Kjeller).
• The transit time between the AV-library and Kjeller is set to 48 hours.
• The preview time on the equipment booking is set to one hour.Use case:
When scanning an item due for pick-up at Kjeller within the next 48…106 votes
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