Developments in European information issues: Networks and relays – Services – Products, April 1999

Ecufinder Europe moves with the times to become Eurofinder

Ecufinder UK forms part of the Ecufinder Europe organisation which also has a presence in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. Now introducing the name Eurofinder, it produces a national database for each country in its own language and in English as well as a combined international version. Research is carried out in Brussels and the various other locations. Currently the database is available on CD ROM or floppy disk with monthly updating but a web version is on the point of launch. Of the main commercial products this is the only one which markets across Europe not just in English but in the appropriate national language.

Providing a reference source on funding incentives from national, regional and local government as well as from the European Union, it currently contains over 2,000 schemes from some 500 sponsors aimed both at the public and private sector. Of these, at the end of March, 137 were European. The client base includes a number of major international banks, companies, local authorities, TECs, EICs and DG XXIII.

The award-winning software, which took the European Software Innovation Prize in 1996, is installed and commissioned by Ecufinder staff who offer training and technical support. It can be searched by client or project profile, or alternatively, search criteria such as scheme title, sponsoring body, industry type, investment type, incentive area or EU deadline can be used. The resulting data includes full contact details. Different package options may limit the type of output but the system is capable of producing a detailed report which can be printed, exported or incorporated into the company's own reports. A customised report service is also available.

The pricing structure varies depending on the size and type of company, whether it is a single user licence or multi-site unlimited access or part of a discount-rate buying syndicate, and how much data is included, e.g. all countries or just UK-related opportunities. A new development is the idea of bundling data relevant to an area like South Yorkshire on to disk with a simplified search option, which can be offered for around £150, but generally speaking packages range from around £500 to £3,000. For full details of available options and contents contact:

Ecufinder Europe
Commerce House
Pocklington
York YO42 2AB
Tel: +44 (0)1759-304411
Fax: +44 (0)1759-304422