Commonplaces

PUBLISHERS of ‘Findex’, Business ratio reports, studies and surveys, Inter Company Comparisons Ltd, known as ‘ICC’, have now joined the producers of computer data‐bases. ‘ICC Database’ carries details of 60,000 companies with updating weekly. From print out which I have examined ICC have made useful added value factors to the basic information from the Companies Registration Office. It tabulates the financial figures for four consecutive years, lists a Standard Industrial Classification number for the company's product, gives directors, registered office address and trading address, company number, and a brief statement of the company's business. The database is already available on Dialog, and is expected to become available on Prestel shortly. Any ASC11 coded terminal may be used to access DIALOG, and the prices seem to be fairly reasonable for the speed of the service. ICC have organised a number of free demonstrations of the service in different parts of the country, and anyone wishing to attend the demonstration in Manchester on Thursday, July 26, should contact Diane Dalmon at ICC on telephone number 01–250 3922. Further information about the database may be had either from DIALOG, PO Box 8, Abingdon, Oxford OX13 6EG, tel 0865 730969, or Inter Company Comparisons, 28–42 Banner Street, London EC1Y 8QE, tel 01–253 3906, tx 23678.