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The EXIS export information expert system that facilitates the use of the UN's COMTRADE export-import database is described. It is based on the assumptions that business needs for international trade data are different from the needs of governmental, international, and supranational agencies. Business executives make decisions based on market size, market share, competitors, growth rates, and so on, whereas government personnel have different criteria. In addition, business executives utilize this trade data on a nonroutine basis and require aid and assistance in acquiring, using, and understanding it. EXIS provides inexpensive technology to aid the executive in the decision process. >

126 information centers (ICs) were surveyed to determine which services they offer, which ones they do not offer, and which ones they offered previously but discontinued. Based on the survey responses, a definitive list of 35 individual IC services offered by information centers was obtained. Although only seven of the services are offered in les than one-half of the responding companies, some services are offered less frequently than expected. The service group of software support is offered most frequently and the miscellaneous support group is offered least frequently. It is observed that the diversity of these services and the frequency with which they are offered indicate that the IC continues to be a strategically important concept for supporting end-user computing in organizations. >