DUBLIN, Ohio, March 18, 1994--AT&T InterSpan Data Communications Services and OCLC announce a trial program that will provide corporate information seekers with access to The FirstSearch Catalog via the Internet and AT&T's InterSpan Frame Relay Service (FRS), a worldwide, high-speed intelligent network operated by AT&T.
AT&T's Internet Connectivity Options (ICO) will allow FRS users to connect to The FirstSearch Catalog, OCLC's online reference service for end users. They will be able to search 31 of the 40 databases available on FirstSearch and order the full text of desired articles through OCLC's document delivery service.
"ICO customers value the simplicity of adding a single permanent virtual circuit to their existing frame relay network that gives them easy access to the broad range of resources and applications available on the global network," said Lov Kher, AT&T InterSpan ICO product manager. "Providing that same easy access to a valuable resource like The FirstSearch Catalog is just one example of how we plan to keep evolving the service."
"This trial program will give OCLC the opportunity to provide scientific, technical, and business information to users at their desks in their offices," said John Hearty, director, OCLC reference services division. "Many of our libraries already provide their patrons with direct access to FirstSearch at home or in their office, and this is another step for OCLC toward providing information to people when and where they need it."
Upon completion of the two-month trial program, AT&T customers will have the option of contracting with OCLC for access to FirstSearch on an ongoing basis.
AT&T InterSpan Services are a family of innovative data connectivity solutions designed to provide faster, more efficient distributed computing for business.
The FirstSearch Catalog is designed for end users, with a menu-driven interface that allows users to move easily through the online search process in just a few simple steps, without training or online searching experience.
OCLC is a nonprofit computer library service and research organization whose computer network and services link more than 17,000 libraries in 52 countries and territories.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: Nita Dean, OCLC, (614) 761-5002 or Carolyn Tommie, AT&T, (908) 221-8541
