How to install and use the SpineOMatic cloud app

See also:

• Ex Libris Introduces Cloud Apps Open Framework
• The Ex Libris App Center
• Deploying Cloud Apps
• Announcing the Cloud Apps Open Framework for the Ex Libris Higher-Ed Platform (Video)
• Cloud Apps in Alma (Video)

The cloud apps is “an open framework which allows developers to write apps which run inside Ex Libris higher education products such as Alma, Primo VE backoffice, Esploro, Leganto and Rapido.” (Announcing Ex Libris Cloud Apps).

The SpineOMatic cloud app allows the staff user to print spine labels quickly and easily.  This blog post will explain how to configure the cloud app as well as print the barcodes.

The screenshots and flow below is effective as of the February. 2021 Alma release.

To install the “SpineOMatic” cloud app:

ONE

On top right of the Alma landing page click the link to the Cloud App Center

TWO

In the “Available Apps” column find the app “SpineOMatic” and click it.  You can find it by scrolling through the list or by using the search icon.

Install it by clicking “Install”.

THREE

The app will then appear in the installed apps tab and clicking it will activate it for use

FOUR

The first time you open the app you will need to configure templates and layouts.  This can be done by clicking the link inside the app.

The templates and layouts can be edited any time by clicking the wrench

FIVE

Add a template

SIX

Give the template a name

SEVEN

Add fields as desired to the template.  Note that you can also add an image. You can add free text by simply typing in the desired text.

In the “Other Options” section on the bottom note that some fields have “Other Options”. 

For example we chose to add field barcode, and now we have more options for the barcode.

Important Note: If your barcodes have letters (and not just numbers) then do not choose codabar as the encoding format, because that doesn’t support letters.

In the “other options” for the call number it is possible to “break” the call number into separate lines

EIGHT

Save the template:

NINE

Add a new layout

TEN

Give the new layout a name and if desired base it on one of the existing options.  Here we base it on existing option “Avery 5160”.

ELEVEN

Define the various parameters of the layout and save

TWELVE

Option one to print barcodes:

Do a physical items search and then activate the cloud app, select the items, and click “next”

Select the layout and template and then print the labels

The barcodes print

THIRTEEN

Option two to print barcodes:

Scan in the item barcode:

You can then scan in more barcodes and when done click next.

Choose the desired layout and template then click “print”.

The barcode (or barcodes) is printed.

FOURTEEN

Option three to print barcodes:

Create physical items set.

In the cloud app choose to print the barcodes from a set and then click next.

Choose desired layout and template and then click “print”.

The barcodes from the set print