PRICING STRATEGIES FOR BUSINESS INFORMATION ON CD-ROM

Purchasers of business information on CD-ROM are often concerned to as sess its cost-effectiveness, CD-ROM may offer a number of advantages, as compared with print and online access, but this may be at a price. The marketplace for business information on CD-ROM is characterised by a range of products that embraces a number of different kinds of data bases, with differing added-value features and potential applications. Pricing strategies for electronic information are complex. CD-ROM pri cing strategies have two distinct components: prices charged for singl e-user use and prices charged for network use. A number of different t ypes of discounts and options are available. The article concludes wit h some case studies which assess the pricing strategies for specific C D-ROM products. The key players in the business information marketplac e will continue to maintain their presence, but there is likely to be some realignment of product ranges, enhanced products and adjustments to pricing strategies before the market reaches greater stability.