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Content is the beginning of everything at Dialog. Searching many databases in a consistent format, indexing for precision searching, new and reloaded content and much more—the Content Database Development team makes this possible on Dialog.
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Q: What is the Content Database Development (CDD) group and what do you see as the team’s main mission?
A. The Content Development (CD) team is important to the content you search on Dialog every day. The CD team is comprised of two groups: the CDD and the Content Quality Assurance (CQA) teams. We introduced you to the CQA team in the July/Aug 2009 issue. This month you get to meet the CDD team. Our primary mission is to design, develop and maintain premium quality content with superior search and display characteristics for timely distribution through a variety of channels. Assignments range from reloading a database – for example, MEDLINE® is reloaded every year with the new MeSH® headings – to creating a new database like The Lancet, a premier health database. It also can include working on enhancements to existing files, such as adding simple patent families to INPADOC, described in this issue.
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Q: Who is on the content development team?
A. Led by Charles Sullivan, the CDD is comprised of seven members; all have been with Dialog for more than 12 years and four for more than 20 years. Our educational backgrounds range from degrees in natural sciences, computer science, physics and applied mathematics to chemistry, biochemistry and chemical engineering. Advanced degrees, including MBAs, an MLS and a PhD round out our areas of expertise. Our group divides its tasks so that each of us works with specific information providers and subjects; however, any one of us can address an urgent request if need be. We are all very familiar with the Dialog databases, information providers and the processes necessary to design the content.
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Q: What tasks support your mission?
A. Our team provides ongoing production support throughout the database lifecycle. Here are some examples of what we do daily:
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Q. Can you give us an example of one of your tasks?
A. An example of one of our tasks is loading a database. Here’s a thumbnail sketch of how it works. Data is supplied to Dialog from information piroviders, or IPs as they are known, in various formats, such as HTML, XML, MARC, DIALOGB etc. The team designs the database, and the data is then converted to Dialog’s standard format. The file is loaded on the Dialog system as a Dialog database, with the abilities to search and display data.
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Q: Why is your team’s role so important to Dialog customers? And, what makes your job at Dialog so exciting, especially since you have been with the business for such a long time?
A. We add value to the databases. For example, we take the data provided in all kinds of different formats by all of our information providers and “translate” it into a search and display experience for Dialog customers that is as consistent as possible across all the databases.
We solve puzzles on a daily basis including answering the difficult customer questions. We are able to explore and learn the nitty-gritty bits about a wide range of databases. We even help to create new online products. In addition, we interact with many other groups at Dialog, including publisher management, the Knowledge Center, information providers, and file loading and software development teams. Each day is different. Who wouldn’t be excited to create content solutions that meet our customer needs?!
Slide 7
Watch for interviews with other groups at Dialog in the coming months.
