The Information Services division designs and maintains technical systems in support of every realm of AKC activity, and defines and implements information-management strategies.

2004 was a year of conspicuous success for the division. ISD worked on such high-profile initiatives as the launch of online dog registrations; the user-friendly redesign of the web site at akc.org, unveiled in December; “Your AKC,” the new AKC electronic newsletter, with a year-end circulation of 393,103; and the Online Breeder Classifieds, introduced in November. Maintenance and enhancement of these projects are ongoing. Also ongoing was work on the popular Online Litter Registration service. More than 124,000 litters have been registered online since the program’s late 2003 launch.

A challenge for ISD is keeping up with the demand for Internet services from increasingly computer-savvy show chairs. 2004 saw the launch of an online tool that helps show chairs plan judging panels.

The AKC web site continued to be America’s one-stop online authority for all things canine, with 1.4 million unique visitors monthly. Fanciers and pet owners alike come to the site not only for its vast storehouse of information but also for breaking stories of concern to dog owners. Reports of relief efforts led by the dog fancy during last summer’s hurricane season were updated daily. Sales of electronic statistical packages, pedigrees, and dog ranking reports at akc.org continue to be a source of alternative revenue.

The Competition Management System was the subject of a systematic upgrade in 2004. Quality checks of registration forms, paper and electronic, were performed throughout the year.

In December, Tracey Tessier was named assistant vice president of Software Development.