The IMAIOS COUNTER platform has recently undergone a series of important updates and improvements. These include a refreshed user interface, significant changes to how data is reported, and major updates aligned with the new COUNTER Code of Practice Release 5.1.
Here’s a quick overview to help you navigate the changes!
Platform Migration
Previously, our COUNTER reports were generated by our partner, Scholarly IQ. We now manage them directly on our own platform.
We have worked closely with the COUNTER organisation to ensure a smooth and seamless transition, with no disruption to your access or data.
Here’s a glimpse of the new interface:
The method for accessing your usage statistics remains unchanged. Here’s how:
- Log in to your IMAIOS account at www.imaios.com by clicking “Log in” in the top-right corner and entering your email and password.
- Once logged in, go to your personal area, click “Administration”, then select the statistics icon.
How to Find the Information Required for the COUNTER API (SUSHI)
SUSHI is a protocol (API) designed to simplify the collection of usage statistics for librarians and resource managers. It has now been renamed to COUNTER API for greater clarity.
When using the IMAIOS COUNTER platform, click on the ‘Administration’ section of your account, then Counter API on the left-hand side of the menu. To use Counter API, you need a customer ID, a requestor ID and the URL: all this information is centralised on this page.
More details in the article: How do I find the information I need to use COUNTER API (SUSHI)?
Key Changes to COUNTER Data
Following guidance from Tasha Mellins-Cohen, Executive Director of COUNTER, we’ve made several changes to the way data is reported:
- “No_Licences” for anatomical modules are now excluded from the Item_Requests count, which may result in a slight decrease in overall Item_Requests.
- Our pages on anatomical structures will now be counted as ‘Item_Requests’ in the corresponding database (e-Anatomy for human anatomical structures and vet-Anatomy for animal anatomical structures). You can therefore expect an increase in ‘Item_Requests’ from January 2025 onward. If you would like to know more about these two distinct types of ‘Item_Requests’, you can use the Data_Type attribute: structure pages with Data_Type ‘Database_Full_Item’ (or “Database” in 5.0) and anatomical modules with ‘Multimedia’.
- Previously, some free content (such as module listings or structure pages) generated No_Licence events. These will no longer appear in reports. Only No_Licence events for unsubscribed paid content will remain.
Transition from COUNTER 5.0 to 5.1
The new COUNTER 5.1 Code of Practice retains the core features of version 5.0, including reports on platforms, databases, titles, articles, and associated metrics (investigations, requests, searches, and access denials).
Key updates in version 5.1 include:
- A stronger emphasis on items (e.g. chapters, articles) as the main reporting unit, rather than title-level metrics.
- Clearer definitions for types of access (open vs controlled).
- An expanded range of Data Types.
- Major updates to the SUSHI protocol and the structure of JSON reports.
Not Yet Using COUNTER Reports? Check our FAQ for step-by-step guidance:
FAQ – How to Access Usage Data for Your Resources
Any Questions? Feel free to get in touch at contact@imaios.com.
