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Auto-Graphics and Center for Intelligent Information Retrieval forge technology alliance

Press Release: Auto-Graphics, Inc. [April 16, 1996]

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 1996 -- Auto-Graphics Inc., a leading provider of information solution for publishing and library applications, today announced technology alliances with the Center for Intelligent Information Retrieval (CIIR) at the University of Massachusetts and with Sovereign Hill Software, Inc. Through this alliance Auto-Graphics will integrate its Impact™ user interface with the CIIR's INQUERY search and retrieval engine, and market more advanced retrieval systems for CD-ROM, under a license from Sovereign Hill.

"The importance of bringing these two technologies together is that it now provides publishers of CD-ROM data with sophisticated next generation search and retrieval capabilities in a user-friendly environment," said Richard Dildine, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Auto-Graphics Publishing Division.

The first application to result from this alliance is a new version of the National Trade Data Bank for STAT-USA, a division of the Department of Commerce. STAT-USA will be offering the data bank on two CD-ROMs which will contain the National Trade Data Bank (NTDB) data as well as the combined technology from Auto-Graphics and the CIIR. The CD-ROMs will contain a compilation of international trade and commerce information used by United States to help them develop export markets.

The CIIR has ported the engine from a UNIX environment to a PC environment with cross-platform capabilities for Windows 3.1, Windows NT and Windows 95. This has made information more accessible by enabling a more simplified user interface.

Additionally, this new product will enable more comprehensive search, index and cross-reference features, and quick and easy retrieval. The user interface allows for four levels of searches, from basic to freeform. The product builds complex INQUERY search commands automatically from information gathered in a tutorial and user-inviting environment. For example, a user is guided though selection criteria to build search strings that meet the user's search criteria. After the information has been gathered, the interface automatically initiates the search and provides the results in a multiple document environment. Added features integrated from the Impact interface are browse lists of words and indexes, a hierarchical tree display of products and articles, network control and user security.

Auto-Graphics will package these combined technologies into a product that will be marketed to companies wishing to publish on CD-ROM, providing a completely integrated product with the user-friendly features of Auto-Graphics' products coupled with the robust INQUERY search and retrieval engine. Additionally, for current users of INQUERY, Auto-Graphics can now provide an easy-to-use interface that can be adapted to specific customer requirements.

Sovereign Hill Software, located in Amherst, Massachusetts, has acquired the commercial licensing rights to INQUERY and related tools. The business partnership between Sovereign Hill and Auto-Graphics will complement the research partnerships between Auto-Graphics and the CIIR.

Auto-Graphics Company Information

Founded in 1950, Auto-Graphics, Inc. (OTC:AUGR) has capitalized on new technology as it becomes available, providing information publishing and database resource sharing systems to the publishing and library communities. Through its two divisions, the Publishing Services Division and Library Services Division, Auto-Graphics offer a wide range of products and services that are both cost-effective and innovative.

The Publishing Services Division has been a leading supplier of database publishing, electronic composition and CD-ROM services for more that 40 years. Auto-Graphics provides database services and information publishing solutions to a wide range of customer s including publishers of texts, directories, Bibles, encyclopedias, dictionaries and other data intensive reference works. Always on the leading edge of information publishing technology, Auto-Graphics also supplies and implements SGML technology solutions for Fortune 1000 companies.

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Publication Year:1996
Type of Material:Press Release
Language English
Issue:April 16, 1996
Publisher:Auto-Graphics, Inc.
Place of Publication:Pomano, CA
Company: Auto-Graphics, Inc.
Products: Impact/ONLINE
Online access:http://www.auto-graphics.com/pressreleases/ntdb.html
Record Number:6637
Last Update:2025-02-16 12:40:47
Date Created:0000-00-00 00:00:00
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