Decisions need data. 

I'm sure I don't need to remind BUEC Buzz readers of the need for data as a foundation for decisions of all sorts... social policy, marketing, strategic planning, and beyond.

That's why I'm so pleased to open my email each morning and see new data from Statistics Canada on such hot topics as cannabis consumption and non-resident ownership of housing... <Read on for links to great data!>

We've recently had to make the difficult decision to cancel our EIU (Economist Intelligence Unit) database subscription with very short notice. Usage of the EIU database had dramatically decreased in the last few years, resulting in an unsustainably high cost-per-use. Our access will cease at the end of 2017.

We would normally engage in a long period of consultation before making such a cancellation decision, but the renewal offer had a very short deadline and required a three-year commitment. We did not feel it would be prudent to lock ourselves into a multiyear contract for a resource that is so rarely used (only 65 downloads this year, compared to over 700 five years ago).

<Read on for details about remaining EIU content at SFU and alternative sources...>

A quick reminder as you all double-down on your research efforts for the crazy-busy fall semester:

We have pilot subscriptions for the next several months to two very powerful market analysis databases focused on emerging technologies. If you haven't tried BCC Research and Frost & Sullivan yet, check them out.  I've listed a few recent report titles from each database below to whet your appetite.   <Read on for more!>

I just received the latest usage report on our Statista database and thought I'd share some interesting trends: 

During the month of October, SFU researchers used Statista to:

• view almost 5000 charts, topic reports, dossiers... more than 160/day;
• download over 580 images, slides & documents; and 
• research topics ranging from... <Read on for more!>

I am very pleased to announce that SFU researchers now have access to the full collection of reports by BCC Research!

BCC Research reports offer: 

"... analysis of global market sizing, forecasting and industry intelligence, covering markets where advances in science and technology are improving the quality, standard and sustainability of businesses, economies and lives."

Categories covered range from Advanced Materials to Semiconductor Manufacturing, touching on topics as diverse as medical devices, quantum dots, geothermal energy... <Read on for more!>

I was just scanning some industry news about smart homes when I came across a mention of a Frost & Sullivan forecast in an article by ITEuropa: European Home Automation Set for Double Digit Growth.: [...]

Being an opportunist, how could I resist a quick plug for our recently acquired Frost & Sullivan database? Check out these recent and relevant reports on the same topic from F&S.

• Home Automation Poised to  ...
• Connected Homes—Supplier Strategies and ... 

<Read on for more!>

I'm sure you've been following the news about the NAFTA discussions, right? 

As with most negotiations, these early stages are full of drama and posturing, so it can be hard to avoid getting emotional about the whole thing.  This may be a librarian thing, but when I'm stressed, I seek out more information. Here's a quick run through a few resources that might help...  <Read on for more!>

SFU researchers received a very early Christmas present on Sept. 25th... our powerful Passport database has a new home page!

I know what you're thinking: a new home page is no big deal, right? We'd all much rather get new content and put up with a slightly dated interface... no?  

Normally, I'd completely agree -- content is king! -- except ... <Read on for details!>

Most of my posts about our Statista database have focused on the thousands of barcharts on topics ranging from airlines to zoos -- over 1.5 million such charts, in fact -- but I've given far less space to the other formats in which you can find Statista's information.

No more!  Today I'm going to highlight a couple of the more interesting ways that Statista packages their wealth of information: Outlook Reports and Toplists.     <Read on for details!>

If you haven't tried our new Frost & Sullivan database of emerging technology market reports yet, here are a few more reasons to take a look...  <Read on for details>