Abraquest
Abraquest is Windows software for managing a primary or secondary school library.
What Abraquest is
Abraquest is Windows software for managing a primary or secondary school library. Staff can scan books for pupil issues and returns, produce overdue reports, and prepare letters for parents. Pupils can search by keyword, check whether copies are in or out, and reserve books. Reporting includes over a dozen reports and three dashboards covering reading, losses, damages, and books never borrowed. A cloud database of over 3 million books helps reduce cataloguing data entry. Borrowing histories can be made anonymous after pupils leave, supporting GDPR needs. Wonde integration automatically updates pupil data from a school management system and is included for customers with active Software Assurance. Silver and Gold assurance include backup to the school's private cloud; Bronze includes unlimited phone and email help, free online training, and a discount on site visits. Abraquest requires a PC and is deployed on-premise. A 30 day trial is described in the getting-started guide. The Starter plan is a one-time 149.95 GBP purchase, with 10 software licences, a laser scanner, and 1000 labels; yearly Software Assurance plans are separate.
Good
- Pupils can search, check availability, and reserve books.
- More than a dozen reports and three dashboards.
- Cloud catalogue contains over 3 million books.
- Wonde can automatically update pupil data.
Watch out
- Requires a PC to run.
- Deployed on-premise.
- No free plan is listed.
- Starter costs £149.95, paid once.
Who it suits
Abraquest suits primary and secondary schools that need book circulation, pupil search and reservations, and library reporting. It is for schools able to run Windows software on a PC.
Verdict
Abraquest brings circulation, pupil access, reporting, and cataloguing into a school library system. Its PC requirement, on-premise deployment, and separate Software Assurance plans are important considerations.
Plans and prices
From Abraquest's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Abraquest Starter | £149.95, paid once | 1000 labels · 10 software licences · One-time initial install; includes 1000 labels, a laser scanner and 10 software licences. |
| Software Assurance Bronze | £164.94 a year | Updates · telephone/email help · training · Abraquest Online · school logo · renewal barcodes · Per year. |
| Abraquest School | £199.95, paid once | 5000 labels · 10 software licences · laser scanner · One-time initial install; same as Starter but with 5000 labels. |
| Software Assurance Silver | £219.90 a year | Bronze features · backup to own private cloud · optional or automatic backup on exit · Per year; includes Bronze features and Abraquest Automated Backup. |
| Software Assurance Gold | £249.95 a year | Silver features · book analysis reports · pupil analysis reports · Per year; includes Silver features and additional reports. |
| Existing System | £349.95, paid once | 10 software licences · data conversion · existing barcodes and scanner · One-time price for Abraquest with 10 software licences and fixed-price data conversion; existing barcodes and scanner can be used. |
| Abraquest Academy | Priced on request | Multiple libraries or schools · Discounts available for larger customers with multiple libraries or schools; contact for details. |
The facts
Each one read from Abraquest's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Backup
- Silver and Gold Software Assurance include backup to the school's own private cloud, with an option to back up automatically when Abraquest exits.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Book circulation
- It supports scanning books for pupil issues and returns, overdue reports, and letters to parents.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Cataloguing
- Abraquest uses a cloud database of over 3 million books to reduce data entry when adding titles.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Customer base
- The maker says Abraquest has been used at schools and academies and has sold over 200 copies since 2013.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Integration
- Wonde integration automatically updates pupil data from a school's management system and is included for customers with active Software Assurance.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Privacy
- Pupil borrowing histories can be made anonymous after a pupil leaves the school to satisfy GDPR.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- Abraquest is school library management software for primary and secondary schools.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Reports
- The product page describes over a dozen reports and three dashboards covering reading, losses, damages, and books never borrowed.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Search and reservations
- Pupils can search books by keyword, see whether copies are in or out, and reserve books.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Support
- Bronze Software Assurance includes unlimited telephone and email help, free training via Zoom or Google Meet, and a 25% discount on site visits.checked 7 Oct 2001
The company
- Founded
- 2004checked 28 Sep 2001
- Headquarters
- Spherical Software Ltd lists its address in Burnley, Lancashire, United Kingdom.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Maker
- Abraquest was started in 2004 by chartered librarian Maeve Denny and software developer Philip Johnson; Spherical Software Limited owns it.checked 7 Oct 2001
Where it runs
- Platform requirement
- Abraquest currently requires a PC to run.checked 7 Oct 2001
Money
- Trial
- The maker's getting-started guide describes a 30 day trial.checked 7 Oct 2001
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