  We review the large N method of calculating high order information on the
renormalization group functions in a quantum field theory which is based on
conformal integration methods. As an example these techniques are applied to a
typical graph contributing to the beta-function of O(N) phi^4 theory at
O(1/N^2). The possible future directions for the large N methods are discussed
in light of the development of more recent techniques such as the Laporta
algorithm.
