Getting the most from R&D information services

To provide better service for R&D users and get a higher return on investments in information technology, sonic companies in the chemical, pharmaceutical and engineering industries are moving from a hierarchical, functional IS organization structure to a "mixed" structure. In the new structure, certain "generic" IS functions, such as telecommunications and hardware maintenance, are migrating to the corporate level or being outsourced to third parties. Other IS functions serving specialized R&D needs are moving closer to individual business units, being handled Dy cross-functional teams, or being performed by strategic partners. The new structures often require new roles, such as the "account representative" who services the R&D IS "customer" and represents ifs interests at the corporate level. Benefits include faster time to market as well as higher return on both physical and intellectual assets.