Original Date: 02/03/1997
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) core competency has always focused on the distribution of standards, publications, and technical information. Realizing that users require different formats for data, SAE has adapted to the changing information distribution environment by using electronic media methods in addition to conventional means. Besides using CD-ROMs and on-line relational database systems, SAE has been actively developing Internet applications and distribution possibilities.

A significant portion of the revenue for SAE’s Electronic Publishing Division comes from CD-ROM sales. Available for purchase by individuals and companies, SAE standards, technical papers, and other publications can quickly be queried on the latest technical topics. Current databases available on CD-ROM include SAE Publications and Standards; Highway Vehicles Safety Database; SAE Aerospace Technology Database; SAE Automotive Fuels & Lubricants Database; SAE Technical Papers; SAE Handbook; SAE Standards; and the Global Mobility Database (GMD). In addition, free working models are available and can be downloaded from SAE’s website (www.sae.org). With the rapid influx of information coming into SAE, the cost of these CD-ROMs includes a one-year subscription to the latest updates.

As a valuable database, GMD maintains SAE’s core competency for distributing information on self-propelled vehicles. The foremost source of worldwide vehicle technology information, GMD features the summaries from more than 85,000 publications which date back to 1906. Custom-designed for user-friendliness, SAE’s MOVE search software (available for Windows and DOS) guides the user through each step of the investigation and search processes by using simple fill-in-the-blank search forms. GMD can locate critical document information such as comprehensive summaries, author, publication date(s), document number, referenced documents, and other related subject categories. Ideal for technical practitioners or information specialists, GMD covers essential publications for engineers around the world.

SAE anticipates that most of its conventionally-distributed information will be available via the Internet. After examining the latest innovations in electronic commerce, SAE began studying two subscription models: renewable year-by-year accounts and pay-as-you-go accounts. Renewable accounts would allow customers to download documents in .pdf and/or .ascii formats. Pay-as-you-go accounts would charge the customer for the amount of text downloaded or printed. Customers can access automotive information over the Internet through SAE’s GMD; Fuels and Lubricants Database; Auto HEADLINE NEWS (via e-mail); and Auto PRODUCT NEWS.

To facilitate CD-ROM, Internet, and other such efforts, the Electronic Publishing Division handles and promotes the dissemination of SAE products. Separating the electronic version from the hard copy version has proven to be a successful and growing industry for SAE. In-house studies have shown that 80% of customers who purchase SAE’s CD-ROMs had not previously purchased hard copies. To meet the continued demands of its customers while aggressively pursuing additional forums for information distribution, the Electronic Publishing Division grew 29% in 1996 and has a projected growth of 35% in 1997.

To access technical and industry information, more professionals are turning to the convenience and speed of sophisticated technology. As a result, SAE’s Electronic Publishing Division continues to develop advanced options, broader product offerings, and more specialized information for its customers.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.