Infomart: Intelligent Design, Intelligent Use
| Pages | 29-39 |
| Date | 01 April 1987 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb047705 |
| Published date | 01 April 1987 |
| Author | Jeff Downing,June Koelker |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Infomart:
Intelligent Design, Intelligent Use
Jeff Downing and June Koelker
WHAT IS INFOMART?
The structure housing Infomart has been com-
pared, not incorrectly, to a beached steamboat.
Permanently docked a few miles north of downtown
Dallas, Texas, and resembling the famed Crystal
Palace in London, it is the newest structure in
a group of buildings known as the Dallas Market
Center, the world's largest wholesale market complex.
Opened in January 1985, Infomart is an environment
where those who are interested in the world of
computers can come together and share information.
The cornerstone concept of Infomart was, and con-
tinues to be, educational programmatics. The focus
is on learning. The approximately 300,000 visitors
per year can take advantage of dealer showrooms
and Infomart resources to learn the newest in high
technology. Those interested in making a purchase
are referred to the company's direct sales
staff,
to retail outlets, or other distribution sources.
In addition to the 60-plus automation technol-
ogy-oriented tenants, the building contains the
Resource Center, where visitors receive an orientation
to Infomart; the Library (Sidebar 1), which contains
a comprehensive collection of automation technology
materials; and Epocenter, which is devoted to elec-
tronic publishing products and services. Another
feature soon to open is Ideacenter, an integrated
display focusing on enterprise automation. All
Infomart showrooms and facilities are open to the
public.
An intelligent building incorporates two
key components: automated building control
systems and information management control
systems. Automated building control systems
include energy management systems, automated
security and fire systems, and network
life-support systems. Information management
control systems include telecommunications,
data networking, local area networks, and
other short and long haul networks. When
these systems are linked together with
common wiring and central controls, the
building becomes intelligent. The
integration of these components in Infomart,
a high-tech facility located in Dallas,
Texas, is described. The usage of these
components by tenants, and their possible
application to library buildings are discussed.
Downing is Public Services Manager, and
Koelker is Associate Director, Library Services,
AMIGOS Bibliographic Council, Dallas, TX.
ISSUE 20 29
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