KE EMu

User Interface 

As well as its fully integrated web browser support, EMu provides a rich and intuitive Windows-based graphical user interface (GUI) for data query, capture, update and management processes. The GUI is typically deployed on a local area network within a Museum, where key employees and power users require the maximum functionality.

EMu’s performance and flexibility in dealing with massive sets of data improve the efficiency of work practices in many areas and make available a level of service to the public not attainable with other systems.

Client-Server Interface

Museum staff access EMu through a purpose-built Windows client program connected to the EMu server. This structure provides a range of benefits, including:

Secure control over access to records and processes.

Process-driven operation that can guide users through complex, multi-step functions.

Comprehensive audit trail of all user activity.

The client interface to EMu has a single point of entry, the Command Centre, which provides direct access to the modules that a user is authorised to use. From the Command Centre users can open any number of modules simultaneously, including multiple copies of the same module. Each one displays in its own Window and allows users to search, display, report, add and amend data within that module – subject to the user’s security profile.

Searching

EMu supports Query-By-Example and allows users to search on any field or combination of fields. All boolean operators are supported, as well as range searches for numeric-based data (including dates, times and georeference coordinates).

A broad range of text-based search facilities are available for text fields, including word-based, phrases, morphological, phonetic and proximity searches.

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Displaying Search Results

Records returned by a search can be displayed in a variety of views:

List View

This displays a set of fields from each of the retrieved records in a grid, one record per line, much like a spreadsheet. Users can select which fields are displayed. Thumbnail images of records can also be displayed.

List View of Identification details, sorted by Qualified Name.

List View of gem and mineral records, including thumbnail image. 

 
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Contact Sheet View

This displays a grid of thumbnail images of any associated multimedia resource for each retrieved record.

Contact Sheet View, showing a selection of gem and mineral records.

Page View

This displays user selected fields in any format defined by the user, using an XSLT stylesheet.

Example Page View showing a fluorite specimen.

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Detail View

This shows all of the Display Tabs for the current record.

Detail View of a calcite specimen.

Entering New Records

Authorised users can add new records to a module by simply entering data into each of the relevant fields and saving the record. Throughout data entry a range of simple validation constraints are applied (e.g. valid date formats) and upon saving the record a much broader range of validation checks are performed.

• During data entry accurate and rapid entry of new records is facilitated by:
• Lookup List authority controls. A lookup list provides a complete vocabulary of all terms entered into a field. Users may call up the lookup list for data entry or searching. Users may also enter leading characters in order to filter the list of terms shown.
• Hierarchically linked lookup lists. Using these, terms shown at any level in the hierarchy depend on terms already selected. For example, the taxonomic classification hierarchy will display species only for a given genus if the user has already entered a genus value.
• Built-in Thesaurus facility, conforming to the ISO Z39.19 standard. The thesaurus includes sophisticated browsing and terminology manipulation which visually highlights the tree-structure. The thesaurus is also built into EMu’s search engine, allowing a range of search options, including searches for equivalent terms, as well as term and all or some of its narrower terms. This facility has specific support for the Getty Art and Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) and the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) as well as many discipline-specific thesauri. It also supports user-definable thesauri.
• Ditto function, which aids rapid creation of new records based on an existing record.
• Standard Windows facilities such as cut, copy and paste within KE EMu and between it and other Windows applications.
• A host of convenience functions including default values, auto-text insertion, spell checker, etc.

Read on for details about how EMu can assist you to:

• Manage Your Collections
• Document Your Objects
• Enrich Your Information With Multimedia
• Derive New Knowledge
• Publish Your Knowledge
• Participate in the Global Museum Community
• Connect to the World

See Also

• Customising EMu
• Other Features  

More Information

To contact us for more information about KE EMu, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Telephone contact details can be found on the Contact page. 

Instructions for downloading the EMu Help (which includes screen shots and demonstrations, and comprehensive details about EMu functionality) can be found under More Information.

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