ProQuest Acquires RefWorks
ProQuest, a Cambridge Information Group company, has acquired RefWorks LLC, a leading provider of web-based research management, writing and collaboration services for the academic and research communities. Cambridge Information Group has had an ownership position in RefWorks since May 2001. Complete ownership will enable ProQuest to integrate RefWorks into its COS business -- which serves the same market -- creating powerful, single-source networking and management tools for scholars around the world.
"RefWorks has been an important asset for many years. Now, this acquisition allows us to take another step in our larger mission to advance the research process," said Boe Horton, ProQuest Senior Vice President. "In this case, we're reducing barriers to efficient work by giving researchers direct ways to connect with each other and the tools they need to leverage those connections."
Jeff Baer, ProQuest Vice President and General Manager of what is now known as RefWorks/COS, will lead the newly merged group. RefWorks' acclaimed tools -- best known for their ability to help researchers easily gather, manage, store and share all types of information -- are uniquely complementary to COS Scholar Universe. COS Scholar Universe is renowned for its networking capability, which provides direct access to more than 1.4 million active researchers from around the world working in over 200 disciplines. With RefWorks and COS joining forces, researchers will be able to turn to one source for tools that help them identify colleagues with similar research interests around the world, establish alliances and manage joint research projects.
RefWorks CEO Earl Beutler will remain a consultant to support strategic projects from RefWorks/COS. The remaining senior management team of RefWorks will report directly into Mr. Baer. The other RefWorks staff will be combined with the COS staff to create a single, integrated organization.
"We're delighted that the senior management staff that has made RefWorks the standard in academic collaboration tools will now be a part of its future as RefWorks/COS," said Mr. Baer. "We're creating a powerful suite of tools that will drive research forward. It's an exciting road ahead."
Customers of both COS and RefWorks can continue to use their current contact numbers.
About ProQuest
ProQuest creates specialized information resources and technologies that propel successful research, discovery, and lifelong learning. A global leader in serving libraries of all types, ProQuest offers the expertise of such respected brands as Chadwyck-Healey™, UMI®, SIRS®, and eLibrary®. With Serials Solutions®, Ulrich's™, RefWorks®, COS™, Dialog® and now Bowker® part of the ProQuest brand family, the company supports the breadth of the information community with innovative discovery solutions that power the business of books and the best in research experience.
More than a content provider or aggregator, ProQuest is an information partner, creating indispensable research solutions that connect people and information. Through innovative, user-centered discovery technology, ProQuest offers billions of pages of global content that includes historical newspapers, dissertations, and uniquely relevant resources for researchers of any age and sophistication—including content not likely to be digitized by others. Inspired by its customers and their end users, ProQuest is working toward a future that blends information accessibility with community to further enhance learning and encourage lifelong enrichment.
For more information, visit www.proquest.com or the ProQuest parent company website, www.cig.com.
About COS
COS provides direct access to more than 1.4 million active researchers working in over 200 disciplines. Searches in COS' flagship product -- Scholar Universe -- provide unparalleled exposure to the community currently studying a topic of interest. Exploring this research community expands awareness and access to cross-disciplinary research perspectives, publications, research methodologies, expertise, and collaborative opportunities. With COS Scholar Universe, faculty and students are directly connected to the communities of scholarly research.
About RefWorks
RefWorks is an international company that provides research management solutions, helping researchers become more effective in their work by aiding in the management, organization, collaboration and dissemination of research information. Thousands of researchers in over 900 organizations globally use the RefWorks service daily. Founded in 2001 by a team of experts in the field of bibliographic database management, RefWorks supports hundreds of online databases and output styles covering a broad range of subject areas. For more information, visit www.refworks.com