Information database providers put all your business data in an easy-to-access format so that every employee can retrieve the same information without going through complicated web database software with passwords and firewalls to overcome. A custom online database allows management to easily update vital information.

Providers of online databases will work with your team to keep the system in a workable form for employees’ easy access. A web site database also can be shared within an industry. Database providers create online database files that can be used for:

1. Research of database web application and information database providers

2. Purchasing through online database providers of common vendors

3. Web database software sharing

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Utilize a custom online database that is created specifically for your industry

Employees may log into the database web application and search for news releases, general information, archived data, common construction specs and any other kind of custom online database. A third party provides the database hosting with access sold in bulk to your entire firm or by individual uses.

I recommend: Online database providers such as the U.S. Copyright Office provide a list of online providers they have vetted. Travel agencies might use Vacation Time Online instead of a custom online database of their own.

Find a ready-made custom online database to increase your purchasing power

Providers of online databases that are industry-specific can store vendors, leaving your purchasing department more time to work on internal projects rather than searching for all the various vendors individually. A web site database can include contact information, pricing and product information in one easy online database.

I recommend: Pharma Source is one breed of database providers that can save your company time and effort, realizing more efficiency. Forrester provides database hosting for hundreds of vendors and includes analysts' reviews of the vendors.

Share information that is provided by providers of online databases

Instead of wasting time having your employees search the entire Internet for specific information, you can subscribe to a number of really comprehensive providers of Internet databases. While the subscription fees may seem high at first, you will notice the savings in productivity.

I recommend: Goliath Business News is a Thompson Gale enterprise with database access to thousands of libraries. Map Info by Pitney Bowes can offer database web application for marketing purposes anywhere in North America.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Try a free trial subscription that is offered by most web-based database application companies before you sign up. You should look for ease of use and promptness or response by the database providers.
• •  Join with other businesses within your industry to hire a web database developer to create online database that can be hosted by the provider and share the costs with your peers.