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| Introduction:
During the first Normalization 2000+ meeting (may 1996) it was a clearly brought to the attention that there is a big need to obtain standards digitally, especially from NEN. Alas, it was not discussed at that time that the NEN already was involved with the necessary preparations to operate even more market directed and customer friendly, this long before as well after the year 2000. Transformation of a standards factory into an institute "ready for battle": During the past years we have intensively worked at the renewal of the NEN. The mission, as well as the organization is changed radically. The NEN of today can compete with the requirements of the present time and of the market. Developments on the standardization market: According to the common knowledge, also standardization activities are heavily subjected to structural changes. It is leaving the existence "over-shadowed" by technology, and is becoming a lively discussed issue to -above all European- politics and it is and/or becomes a vital part of strategic management in many companies. The role of the NEN in this market: Standardization is a matter of qualified agreements. Standardization is the process of making agreements between concerned parties (at National, European or Global level). These agreements are about the (technical) specification of products, services or company processes, with the main purpose focussed on efficiency and/or quality improvements. Survey of (new) products: The number of standards is increasing to such a degree that it is almost impossible to follow the developments without aids. Because of that we publish the Standardization-Catalogue and is the NEN involved in the "Perinorm" database. Standardization-catalogue : The Standardization-Catalogue provides a survey of all Dutch and in the Netherlands accepted standards. To ease the accessibility the Standardization-Catalogue is, starting this year, also electronically available: on diskette or on CD-ROM. Perinorm : Perinorm is a database on CD-ROM, which contains the bibliographic information of standards. Beside the information about Dutch standards, the CD contains also the information about European, international and national standards of foreign countries. Internet : The NEN is searching for actualities and is listening to the market and to its customers. Moreover we would like to keep pace with other national standardization-institutes (DIN) and the international standardization organizations (ISO and IEC). Since January (this year), NEN information is also present on the World Wide Web. Via our website on the Internet ( http://www.nen.nl ) you can follow (on your own screen) NEN closely and keep track with the actual developments in the field of standardization. Thanks to the Internet, we are now also better in reach than ever before, for your questions and orderings (by E-mail). Beside all "steady" information, such as: the sections within the NEN and their standardization activities, the organizational structure, the procedures concerning orderings and our many courses and advising activities, there is also given a lot of attention to actualities. Framed by this we should not keep unmentioned two recently executed experimental projects. Firstly, the -threefold- project to present information -via the NEN-website- about international standardization activities in the field of information and communication technology. Secondly, the project to keep the market quickly and clearly informed -through the Internet- about the actual developments concerning legislation, standardization and standards in the field of medical aids. ICS-subscription to standards: It is often a "hell of a job" for companies and organizations the keep their standards file up-to-date. The NEN can be of service. We have the Dutch and in the Netherlands accepted standards divided into groups according to the so called ICS-system. You can request a subscription on groups of standards customized to the needs of your company, institution or organization. NEN-update service : You can also -better than customized- make use of the NEN-Update Service. Regardless if national, European, international or foreign standards are concerned, the NEN-Update Service will check your standards file and reports where your information is not accurate. You can also request a subscription for this service. That the NEN-Update Service is successful can be seen at the number of subscribers: 800. ISO 9000- and ISO 14000-standards on CD-ROM: Our newest electronic information products are three CD-ROM’s containing the international standards for quality and environment management. One CD contains the ISO 9000-standards, one CD contains the ISO 14000-standards and one CD contains the two together. This CD-ROM’s are so unique, because the NEN is -for the first time- publishing standards electronically. More information in the "pipe line": There is much more to come, for example, the new edition of our catalogue containing standards about construction, presented on diskette. Furthermore a CD-ROM will be made, containing the complete version of the European Machine Guideline and the adhered Dutch legislation. The standards in the field of machine safety will complete this product. Finally we are expanding our (internal) database "NENNET" with all types of information that precedes the final publications. The benefits will be, amongst others, that the NEN-info center can reply better and quicker to questions. NEN rapidly moving towards the road to 2000+: Summarizing it can be said that the NEN is moving rapidly towards a situation in which we can, not only preserving and processing standards, but also deliver standards electronically (in full text). We are discussing, with a number of clients, the question about what is the most optimal method of delivery. Considering these discussions we will further shape our strategy. "WIN-WIN" for you and for us: Setting the coarse to the electronic transfer of information will lead to a "win-win" situation for you as well as for us. Because, it will be absolutely profitable for you and your company to have access to fast, actual and practicable information. For the NEN it is applied that, thanks to the advantages of the electronic transfer of information, our mission to promote the application of standards and also to function as a qualified national knowledge and information center on the field of standardization and standards, will be better than ever. Rounding up: "WIN-WIN"
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