Reed Construction Data Launches New Web Directory

Construction information provider Reed Construction Data this week announced the launch of SmartBuilding Index (SBI), an integrated and search engine optimized web directory geared toward the architecture, engineering and construction community.

SBI's tools enable users to research building and construction products and services. They can search for specific products and manufacturers. Included on the platform are more than 430,000 case studies from Reed's archives of construction project leads (RCD community members can contribute or modify content related to each project through wikis. There are also product overviews in which companies can align themselves with specific product types and manufacturers can post technical specifications, catalogs, BIM objects and case studies.

Pages for every product type represented by a MasterFormat 2004 code are also available. They include a wiki, a sponsored product spotlight, manufacturers of the product type and current news about the product type. Companies can take advantage of free basic listings that include a brief overview of their products or services, catalogs, case studies, white papers and product offerings. The platform also includes geographic pages that contain building codes, project case studies, regional news and sample project leads.

RCD is known for providing its customers with solutions that solve their information needs and put that information right at their fingertips. RBI solutions typically contain a wealth of content in a variety of formats. SBI appears to be no different, as it fits the mold of a one-stop shop for architecture, engineering and construction professionals.

RCD's intent is for these individuals to rely on this new platform for all of their research needs. At launch, it looks like SBI will be able to deliver. Additional content and functionality that will undoubtedly be added over time will only add to the platform's value.

Internet Movie Database Enhances Content

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has enhanced the database of movie information on its website with the addition of actual videos. A collection of more than 6,000 feature-length movies and television episodes are accessible for free on the site.

Users can click a "watch it" button to access the videos. They can also click to purchase the video in DVD format at Amazon.com or through Amazon's Video on Demand service. (Amazon owns IMDb).

IMDb has taken a page from b-to-b content providers by bolstering its site with even more robust content than it previous had, and becoming a one-stop-shop for related content. This certainly makes a lot of sense. The only question is why it took this long.

The benefits are obvious. IMDb undoubtedly had a loyal following of site visitors before; movie and television enthusiasts just seeking basic information about their favorite movies and programs. Now, those visitors will likely spend more time on the site. They will be able to research programs and then watch them without reliance on another site.

IMDb is off to a strong start with such a large number of videos already accessible on the site. Look for this initiative to pick up steam quickly, with the addition of more videos likely to follow.

Labels: IMDB, Internet Movie Data Base

SupplyFrame Launches New Directory

Datasheet search engine SupplyFrame has launched a new manufacturer directory geared toward design engineers and electronic component purchasing professionals. The directory, accessible at http://www.supplyframe.com/, includes product and contact information for electronic component manufacturers, a list of authorized distributors and full part catalogs.

SupplyFrame is offering a free listing in the directory to all electronic component manufacturers to enable them to showcase their wares and increase their search engine rankings in the process. According to the company, SupplyFrame attracts more than two million design engineers to its site each month.

This new directory should be a nice addition to SupplyFrame's business. SupplyFrame is a datasheet search engine that is used by engineers to find technical information that supports product design decisions. The company provides electronic component information from authorized suppliers. The directory will just provide another resource for engineers to help them accomplish their goals and should help make SupplyFrame an even more vital source of information for them. It will be interesting to see if this is just the beginning of an entire suite of services SupplyFrame will offer the engineering community.

Labels: SupplyFrame

IHS Acquires Divestco

Just one day after announcing its acquisition of Documental Solutions LLC (a provider of market intelligence and analytics for the defense and aerospace industry), information provider IHS Inc. announced its purchase of Divestco USA Inc. for about $3 million in cash. Divestco serves the oil and gas industry with data and analytical tools.

Divestco's content includes drilling records, permits and rig activity, production data and public land survey (mapping) information. It is used by engineers, geo-scientists, financial analysts and service companies.

IHS plans to integrate Divestco's drilling records, rig activity and other oil and gas databases into its Energy division.

Just the fact that it's so much easier and less time-consuming to buy established quality databases than to build them is one main reason why this acquisition makes sense. Divestco's established products will have an immediate positive impact for IHS as they help further build the company's Energy unit. Customers of both companies will certainly benefit from the two joining forces, and perhaps the two will work together to create additional offerings for their shared customer base.

IHS Acquires Documental Solutions LLC

Information provider IHS Inc. last week announced that it has acquired Documental Solutions LLS, a provider of market intelligence and analysis tools for the defense and aerospace industry, for $24.5 million in cash.

Documental Solutions' customer base includes strategic planners, business developers and analysts that work in the defense and aerospace industry. The company's flagship product is DS Forecast, a visual, interactive and personalized market analysis tool that provides 10-year forecasts for 19 global defense and aerospace markets based on thousands of individual product-level forecasts for existing programs and future opportunities.

IHS plans to integrate Documental Solutions into its Jane's Information Group to create a robust defense offering for the IHS Security arm.

This deal makes perfect sense for IHS, which already offers a wealth of defense information through Jane's Information Group. The only way in which to make that information more valuable is to enhance it with market intelligence and analytics. But acquiring Documental Solutions, IHS is able to easily add such features.

Documental Solutions will certainly benefit from new ownership, which has the resources to further build out the company's solutions. Yet, customers will benefit the most with a complete service of content and analysis to solve their information needs.