Off-site indexing: a cottage industry*

Abstract

A major part of the data-base production function at Management Contents is done through a cottage industry. Off-site indexers and editors produce approximately ten thousand citations on a bi-weekly and monthly update basis for two data bases in the areas of business and computers. The success at Management Contents with off-site indexing is closely tied to the ability to attract qualified indexers who produce the highest quality abstracts while writing part-time at home. Off-site indexing enables savings in office space, furniture and equipment costs, salaries and overhead, and creates a talented pool of individuals for special contract work. Communications, quality control, and turnaround time are problems to be dealt with when staffing out-of-house.