The Mandarin SIP2 Authenticator^© is a Microsoft .NET service, and requires the .NET Framework 1.1, which is included in the setup routine. Using the SIP2 protocol (developed and maintained by 3M), the SIP2 Authenticator allows third-party applications (SIP2 clients) to get patron and item information, and to process Circulation transactions. Originally, Mandarin developed the SIP2 Authenticator to allow 3M-compliant self-check systems to process loans and returns.

 

A very important additional functionality is the ability to authenticate patrons for Internet access. For this purpose, we use 852#j in the patron record, which must have a value of 0 (no access) or 1 (has Internet access).