Specialized content provider and general information marketer.: The new role of FIZ Karlsruhe

For a very long time now, Fachinformationszentrum (FIZ) Karlsruhe has been known to be an international turntable for specialized information, and has been building up a reputation as a reliable, highly professional information and service provider fulfilling the information needs of an international community of customers from science and technology. FIZ Karlsruhe recently extended the range of services and capabilities with www-based search and retrieval systems, providing to professional information brokers as well as occasional online users or Internet pedestrians direct and cost-efficient access to metadata and databases containing bibliographic scientific and technical or factual information. Electronic full-texts are made available via hyperlinks, and there is the new FIZ AutoDoc online service combining document retrieval with automated document ordering and delivery services. Continuous enhancement and versatile adjustment of the information systems enable links to local and regional networks of research institutes and universities. Due to the novel services and billing systems, FIZ Karlsruhe is in the position to offer to universities special conditions of information supply, based on specific, sponsored academic programs offering low-cost subscriptions and flat fees for searches in databases of particular interest to the universities. In addition, FIZ Karlsruhe has become known as a competent partner for cooperative activities in the development and operation of information systems.