The history of DIALOG, Mead Data Central, and other vendors of online business databases is surveyed to illustrate their use of classic business strategy by balancing consolidation of assets and differentiation of products. A discussion of pricing strategies is also included. (EM)

Seven vendors express their views on the importance of standards to facilitate the linkage of in-house and external computer systems. The subjects addressed include integrated versus linked systems, national and international standards efforts, and the involvement of librarians in the development of standards. (EM)

Describes EasyNet, a gateway system to multiple online vendors. It allows occasional access without learning each system's commands or contracting with each vendor, with either the searcher selecting the database or letting the system select one. Costs are described and various special option plans for specific types of libraries are explained.…

This report presents the findings of exploratory research designed to identify the characteristics of the outsourcing of instruction at community colleges and the forces that promote or block its spread. It is the second in a series of reports by the National Center for Postsecondary Improvement and the Community College Research Center on the…

Discusses how to work with outside vendors to develop multimedia training programs. Highlights include how to find the right vendor; and requests for proposals, including ownership rights and licensing agreements, storyboards, photo or video shoots, and payment schedules. (LRW)

Provides decision-making tips when selecting facilities management software for colleges and universities. It advises to get a program that fits a prepared plan, pay attention to user friendliness, negotiate for changes and modifications in the vendor contract, test run the program before buying it, and determine a vendor's service level…

Provides a comprehensive 1998-99 directory of suppliers and product manufacturers for school- and business-facility needs, as well as a directory of design professionals organized by U.S. geographical region. Educational associations that support the education industry are also listed. (GR)

Discusses buying building products from vendors and how to make the job more productive and beneficial for the facilities manager. Examines building/vendor relationships, establishing product knowledge, and using effective communication. (GR)

Discusses Web site design and provides a listing of Web sites for library automation vendors and other related resources. Each listing consists of the site's name, a brief summary of its resources, the URL, and a picture of the opening page of the site. (LRW)

Outlines strategies for a successful collaboration with multimedia vendors. Topics include vendor and client responsibilities; six phases of a multimedia project, including analysis, design, audiovisual production, development/programming, implementation, and evaluation; and potential problems and solutions. (LRW)

Schools should beware questionable practices of many dot.com companies offering attractive rebates for purchases made online. High rebate rates are often designed to drive traffic to a particular site, but fine print can change overnight. Companies' connections to schools are tenuous and are driven by profit. (MLH)

Describes the use of interactive whiteboards, a new type of instructional presentation technology that allows users to control computer applications from the board. Highlights include vendors; multimedia online instruction; rear-projection models; examples of classroom uses; contests and opportunities for schools to obtain interactive whiteboards;…

E-commerce is coming slowly to education, but some curious school purchasing officials are clicking on vendors' web sites. Pioneering districts include the Chicago, Detroit, and El Dorado (California) public schools. Vendors include Boise Cascade and Office Depot. Some vendors are joining institutional exchanges like Commerce One or marketing…

The three utility commercial programs available on the Internet are like software packages purchased through a vendor or the Internet, shareware programs are developed by individuals and distributed via the Internet for a small fee to obtain the complete version of the product, and freeware programs are distributed via the Internet free of cost.…

A combination of content creators, online vendors, other intermediaries, and librarians work to bring online information sources to end users. Although these interconnected parts are sometimes adversarial, the current information marketplace relies on interaction among them all. People have wondered what it is like on the other side. The author…