* FACCTs database of tech companies
Our wonderful research librarian at the Kreitzberg Library of Norwich University, Catherine Swenson, is always on the lookout for new resources that can help faculty and students. Recently she introduced me to the online reports available from Faulkner Information Services.
Faulkner’s Advisory on Computer and Communications Technologies, or FACCTs, provides the equivalent of an up-to-date encyclopedia of information technology with a particular emphasis on data communications. Topics include:
Enterprise Data Networking
Broadband
Security Strategies
Electronic Government
Electronic Business Strategies
Internet Strategies
Business Intelligence/Content Management
IT Asset Management
Application Development
Web Site Management
Converging Communications
Telecom & Global Network Services
Mobile Business Strategies
Wireless Communications
In addition, users can access current news on the following topics:
Technology Vendor Profiles
Technology News Track
Hot New Reports
The Security Management Practices database has a collection of short reports on the following topics:
Facility Security
Electronic & Paper Document Security
Security Technology
Security Outsourcing
Legal & Financial Security Issues
Regulations & Standards
IT & Network Security
Business Continuity
E-Business Security
Human Resources Security
Public, Private Sector Partnerships
Security Administration
Risk Management
Both databases provide an extensive list of detailed reports on hundreds of high-technology companies including product overview, contact information and investment information. These data may be useful to those selecting technology for their organization’s infrastructure.
On the downside, these reports are written by relatively few authors and thus present a limited view of the field, since no one can be an expert in all of these subjects; however, the authors seem to have extensive industry experience and they do write clearly and succinctly. Unfortunately, the articles have few cross-references and what few there are generally point to paper versions of the publications rather than providing URLs. However, the reports do include URLs for sites that can be helpful in additional research.
Given the low cost of the licenses (according to the information I was given, less than $1,000 per database per year for all our users at the university), these are well worth the cost.
