We have sent records from our III system to BSLW for several years.  Sending records is straightforward.  Just create a file of marc records and send.  There are other points to keep in mind, however.
1. When new authority records are loaded into your catalog, bad headings in older records are not corrected.  You have to run heading reports after loading to see which headings have to be corrected manually.  Only headings in the bib records you send are corrected by BS.
2. If you are getting files of bib and auth records back from BS, load the auth files first.  This way the new auth records will be in the catalog and will match the headings in the bib file.
3. Request from BS that they send back only bib records with changes. Otherwise the files are huge.
4. Look at the marc records before sending to make sure the 907 filed is present, as this is where III looks for the III record number to match for overlaying.  There are other ways to match but this is the most common.  I assume that this is how your load profile is set up.
5. Remember that all fields in bib records will be overlayed.  Therefore, any changes your staff makes to records after you send your bib file to BS will be erased when the records are loaded back in.  The ways to avoid this are either: 1) take a cataloging holiday while your records are at BS, or 2) create a load profile that protects all fields except 4xx, 6xx, 7xx and 8xx from being overlayed.

Test, test, test.  Have BS do a test run of a small file first, load it back in and see what happens.
--
Ted Waller
Carlyle Campbell Library
Meredith College
Raleigh, N.C.

 
Hello,

Our library uses Innovative Interfaces. I am new to the Acquisitions position and I want to send Backstage our item additions from the past year to update our Master file and create Name and Subject headings for our new materials. 

The first problem I have is with getting logged onto the server - I cannot gain access.  The info to log onto their server that I have is 'ftp mars.bslw.com' - Is this correct? 

I also am curious if anyone else has had experience with sending files to Backstage using III. I may not have the right file setup in III to send to Backstage. Is there anyone that can give me assistance?

Thank you,


Amber Bice