Information is one of the most basic ingredients of a successful marketing strategy. The global marketer must scan the world for information about opportunities and threats, and make information available via a management information system. Coordinated organization activity is required to maintain surveillance of those aspects of the environment about which the organization wishes to stay informed.The global marketer is facing the problem of information abundance and information scarcity. They must know where to go to obtain information, the subject areas they should cover, and different ways that information can be acquired. The acquired information must be processed in an efficient and useful way. The technical term for the process of information acquisition is scanning.

In a broad sense; the general subject of international marketing intelligence includes the collection, processing, analysis and interpretation of all types of information from available sources; to aid business management in making international marketing decision. Proper business intelligence is essential to make all the series of strategic decisions in international marketing. International Marketing Decision Related Information (IMDRI): Different types of information are needed to take the critical decision as to whether to go international or not. The types of information include information about the prospects of the foreign markets, competition, other characteristics of foreign market, domestic market prospects etc.

Market Selection Related Information (MSRI): Information on a large number of factors is needed for evaluation and selection of markets. There are many factors like political and economic stability, currency stability, government policy, regulations etc., about which information is required. Market selection also requires specific information about the product or industry concerned like, the demand trends, government policy and regulations, competitive situations etc.