DialUnit Pricing Frequently Asked Questions

For complete pricing information, please see: Pricing Details

Here are some common questions and answers to help you better understand DialUnits charges. We will continue to provide updates as further questions emerge.

Updated June 8, 2001

What is a DialUnit?

A DialUnit is a measure of system resources used to execute search and display commands. Each command - except administrative commands, such as the help commands - generates some portion of a DialUnit.

How are DialUnits calculated?

DialUnits are calculated based on the system resources (commands) that are used from LOGON or a BEGIN command to the next BEGIN command or LOGOFF. DialUnits are tracked as partial units as small as 0.001. DialUnits do not accumulate during "think time" or browsing.

The online cost estimator displays the DialUnits accumulated during a session.

Does each command use at least one DialUnit?

No, you can execute a number of commands and still be charged for less than one full DialUnit depending on how resource intensive the commands are.

Do all commands generate DialUnits?

No, commands performed in an alert do not generate DialUnits.

The following administrative commands - those used for basic maintenance functions - do not generate DialUnits:

COST
DISPLAY SETS
EDIT	Includes commands used within the online editor: CHANGE, COPY, DELETE, INSERT, LIST, MOVE, QUERY, QUIT, RENUM, and SAVE. Also includes other EDIT commands, such as EDIT EMAIL and EDIT ADDRESS.
HELP	All HELP commands, including HELP RATES and HELP FORMATS
KEEP
LOGOFF	Also includes the LOGOFF HOLD command.
RECALL	All RECALL commands, such as RECALL ALERT, RECALL ADDRESS, RECALL .
RELEASE	All RELEASE commands, such as releasing SearchSaves or Alerts.
SAVE	All SAVE commands, such as SAVE ALERT, SAVE and SAVE TEMP.
SET	All SET commands, such as SET ALIAS, SET NOTIFY, and SET SUBACCT.
SHOW	All SHOW commands, such as SHOW FILES.

All other commands generate DialUnits based on the amount of system resources used to execute the command.

Are some commands more system-resource intensive than others?

Yes. Examples of more system-resource intensive commands are REPORT, SORT, REMOVE DUPLICATES and RANK.

How do DialUnits work within OneSearch®?

DialUnits are recorded for each database separately as each command is executed in that database.

How much does a DialUnit cost?

Prices for DialUnits vary among databases, based on the relative value of the content. The Price List is available on our web site at: http://support.dialog.com/pricing/

Use of databases such as DIALOG Bluesheets™, DIALOG HomebaseSM, Chronolog® Newsletter™, and DIALOG Publications™ will not incur a DialUnits charge.

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