HAN FAQ
On this page you will find frequently asked questions about the use of HAN.
If we have not found a suitable answer here, or if you have further questions, please refer to the knowledgebase or contact your sales representative.
HAN is a tool to centrally manage and provide online resources such as journals, scientific publications, etc. in institutions.
In HAN, all information necessary for the use of online resources is created and centrally managed. Such information includes, for example, access mechanisms, license terms or user authorization profiles.
HAN works in the background and checks whether all requirements for using the online resources are met when a request is made.
Online resources (electronic resources, digital resources, e-resources, eBooks...) are exclusively electronically accessible files such as newspapers, journals, scientific texts, databases, etc., which are usually retrieved from the publishers / editors via the Internet. Some online resources are also made available on an institution's local web servers.
Online resources are accessed via a link assigned to the respective resource.
HAN can be used wherever online resources from different providers need to be made accessible to multiple users.
This is traditionally the case in libraries. But information in the form of online resources is also required and made available in commercial enterprises or in public authorities and administrations.
With HAN, all online resources are managed in one central location. As the institution providing the online resources, I can keep track of the resources on offer. In addition, HAN allows me to evaluate the use of online resources and optimize my licensing structure.
I am improving the service for users of the online resources. When managing online resources via HAN, users no longer need to log in separately to the content providers' portals. They can access the full text directly from the search.
I can also use HAN to give users external access to online resources.
The use of HAN by the licensees of my online resources enables usage-optimized licensing. Licensees are able to use HAN to transmit the necessary information about users in compliance with the GDPR.
If HAN is used by licensees, I can also offer my online resources in places where licensing was previously not possible due to technical circumstances.
In certain cases, it may also make sense to operate a HAN server yourself in order to make my online resources available via it. Please contact us directly about this.
As a user of libraries and/or online resources, I want to worry as little as possible about the technology required to use online resources. If HAN is used, I can be sure that I can access the full texts directly without much effort. The usual login is sufficient for this.
I can also access the resources from home. This makes work easy and convenient for me.
A server is required to use HAN. This server can be operated directly in the institution, in a data center or in the cloud.
To manage the online resources, a device with a current 64-bit operating system on which a current browser is installed is required.
Users of the online resources only need a device with an up-to-date browser. Access is possible from any end device.
HAN is based on reverse proxy technology. This means that end users and content providers only ever communicate with the HAN server.
For each request, the HAN server checks whether the user is logged in and whether they are authorized to use the corresponding online resource.
If this is the case, the HAN server logs on to the content provider and retrieves the online resource. The final page is then delivered to the user.
Both sides - end user and content provider - therefore never communicate directly with each other but only with the HAN server.
HAN works together with existing registration and library systems. User registration therefore remains the same as before. No additional user database is introduced in HAN; instead, user registration and authorization checks are carried out against an existing database system. This avoids redundant data storage.
HAN also offers interfaces via which discovery services, meta search engines, etc. can be integrated. This means that the search for online resources remains as usual. HAN works in the background and enables direct access to the full text.
HAN does not replace a traditional library system. When using HAN, most online resources are now managed via a user login. Login data / user accounts must be used for this. It is still possible to set up and activate IP ranges.
However, with the integrated A-Z list, HAN can map the search process for online resources if the institution does not yet have a service for this.
HAN was developed according to the security-by-design principle and meets the highest security requirements, such as those demanded by public institutions or authorities. The security concepts are continuously reviewed and adapted to new requirements.
Of course, user data processing is fully GDPR-compliant. We provide our customers with the necessary documentation free of charge.
HAN is distributed directly by us, H+H Software GmbH as the manufacturer. Abroad, for example in the Netherlands or Austria, we work together with certified sales partners.
Our partners and we support you throughout the entire project, from planning and implementation to day-to-day operation in your institution.
Our services also include maintenance, support and training.
