Online databases are of two types: paid and free. In foreign countries, databases used for market research are generally paid. my country’s database industry has developed significantly in the past decade, and several Web-based databases have appeared in recent years, but they are all document information databases. The following selectively introduces several major business information database retrieval systems that have a greater impact internationally.
DIALOG system. This is one of the largest international online intelligence retrieval systems in the world. It originally belonged to Lockheed Corporation and its center was located in California, USA. It was acquired by Knight-Ridder in 1988.
ORBIT system. ORBIT (Online Retrieval of Bibliographic Information Timeshared) is an online retrieval system jointly developed by the American System Development Corporation (SDC) and the US Department of Defense in 1963. It was acquired by the MCC Group (MaxWell Associates) in 1986. ORBIT provides services in science, technology, patents, energy, markets, companies, and finance. In 1987, there were 70 databases, of which 21 were related to business information.
STN system. The STN system was jointly built by Germany, Japan and the United States in October 1983. It began to provide online services in 1984, and the computer equipment of the three countries was connected by a remote communication network.
FIZ Technik system. The FINTechnik system belongs to the German FIZ Technik Professional Intelligence Center, headquartered in Frankfurt, specializing in intelligence services in engineering technology, management and other aspects. Among the 60 databases currently in use, there are 21 business and economic databases.
DATA-STAR system. The DATA-STAR system belongs to Swiss Radio Co., Ltd., and currently has more than 250 databases, including nearly 150 business and economic databases, providing information on business news, financial information, market research, trade statistics, business analysis and other aspects.
DUN&BRADSTREET system. This system belongs to the Dun & Bradstreet Group and is one of the world’s largest international online retrieval systems. It is also a specialized business and economic information retrieval system. It connects the business databases of various countries through a global network, and stores archival data of more than 16 million companies.
DJN/RS system. DJN/RS is the Dow Jones News/Retrieval Service System, which is one of the most widely used public information service systems in the United States. It was developed by Dow Jones and began to provide online services in 1974. The information services provided by DJN/RS are very wide-ranging, focusing on business and financial information.