Abstract:

Euronet, the telecommunications network sponsored by the Commission of the European Communities, has been in commercial service for over 1½ years. During that time the information services, collectively referred to as DIANE (Direct Information Access Network for Europe) have progressively connected to the telecommunications network in order to offer their services to customer in the countries of the European Communities and Switzerland. This paper focuses on the practical aspects of using Euronet DIANE, the various methods of access, the data bases and data banks available and the costs of searching. Particular emphasis is placed on the information services as they might be applied to market research. In conclusion the impact of such facilities in the future both in Europe and elsewhere in the world are reviewed.