What makes SVO different?

It is innovative:
This initiative will bring much of astronomy's vast resource of pre-digital spectra on-line - for incorporation into modern research - for the very first time.

It is unique:
There is no other efficient means of tapping the information stored in the observations.
No other digital data-base in astronomy has such a long time-base

It is global:
At present the plates are stored in various observatory plate-vaults around the world. By creating the Spectroscopic Virtual Observatory, the project will provide ready access to observations that are at present effectively inaccessible.

It will specialise in long data-sets:
Besides containing extensive samples of specific types, classes and categories, the stored spectra are particularly rich in series of spectra resulting from long-term monitoring of binary stars and variable objects.