It felt comfortable rolling DataStar out to all its end users. The server is connected to Roche's network via an extranet which incorporates several dedicated lines for Roche. Users can access information using a standard Netscape or Microsoft browser. The Dialog Corporation designed a customised interface for Roche Discovery Welwyn, incorporating the Roche logo and tailored fields and search criteria. To the users, the system appears as a locally managed intranet.
Web offers a range of databases encompassing worldwide business and technical information.
Users can select any number or any combination of databases. But an even more exciting change has been the introduction of an alerting system, which enables them to receive automatic updates about specific areas of research, without having to do the running themselves. The Dialog Corporation set up 700 alerts under fixed price agreements. This allows scientists to receive new information relating to their specific areas of research as soon as it is uploaded onto the central database. Not only does this ensure that they are informed of the latest developments in their field, but it also frees up the information professionals from straightforward and repetitive searches.