UK Info Disk Pro 8.0

• Platform:   Windows XP / 2000 / NT / Me / 98
• Media: CD-ROM
• Item Quantity: 1

It's as a contacts database that UK Info is at its most impressive. Take a simple example. If you have a friend who lives in Bucks, but you've lost their address, simply type their surname and forenames into the relevant search boxes, pick Buckinghamshire off the location list and then click the Start button. UK Info will go off and bring back the addresses of everyone in the county with the same name as your friend. Once you've retrieved the information you can copy it to a special personal database which can subsequently be exported into for example, Access or Excel, for mail shots. There are other features too. Right mouse click on a name and choose "Show Record on Map" and UK Info Professional displays a detailed map of the area where the person lives; alternatively, type your post code into the route finder and then drag their name down onto the destination field and having first found them, UK Info Professional will tell you how to get to them as well. You can search for businesses too and using the large index of types (from direct mail services to sporting goods stores) along with the locality you should be able to find what you're looking for. The Professional version also offers more sophisticated search features so that, for example, you can search for all the dispensing chemists in Brighton, find everyone who lives in a certain post code or individual street; and after finding someone, you can even find their neighbours!

UK Info Disk Pro 8.0 uses two databases. Out of the box, it automatically elects to search the Electoral Roll and Business Directory. However, if you click the "Directory Enquiries" option, it can also search through its list of residential and business telephone numbers. This works on a credit system. When you buy the program you get 1,000 credits which lets you use the Directory Enquiries feature 1,000 times; after that you have to purchase new credits from the company's Web site for a small charge.

On the downside, you can't print out route maps, and if it can't find someone, it simply sits there when a "can't find who you're looking for" dialogue box would be more helpful; and while good value, having to buy credits to find extra phone numbers goes against the grain--you've bought the software; you should be able to use it freely. That said, it's an excellent product, particularly for business users. --Rob Beattie

Manufacturer's Description
With over 60 million records compiled from three main databases, UK Info gives you unrivalled searching power. The data is drawn from the Electoral Roll of 44 million people, 17 million residential and business telephone listings and company information totaling over 2 million records.

Unleash the full power of UK-Info 2003 Professional, with XSearch. Want to find all the John Smiths in the UK? No problem. XSearch can do it. How about everyone who lives in SW6? Easy. All the residents of all the Acacia Avenues? Be with you in seconds. How about all the plumbers in Aberdeen? That was quick, in fact with XSearch, over 60 million records are at your fingertips and you can search for them almost any way you want. Find every one who lives at the same address, list all your neighbours or find all the Joe Blacks and Mary Whites who live together. Look for businesses by name, address or type of business, whether you have a full name and address or just partial information, with XSearch you'll find what you want in seconds. To begin type in a name or partial name (i.e. Green or Gre*) and click on start, you can search either the Electoral Roll and business data, or the directory enquiries database.

Delivers up to 5000 results per search, with 200 records displayed at a time. Lost that name and address? Type in a postcode (full or partial), click on start and within seconds you'll have a full listing of everyone who lives in that area. Just moved home and need that boiler serviced, but don't know anyone? Type in plumbers, select from the menu ‘plumbing’, heating and air conditioning' add location (i.e. Aberdeen), click on start and there you are 86 plumbers to choose from. Lets you edit records, save them and even search while using UK-Info Disk without having to go into another application. Export up to 5000 records at a time to other applications. Simply insert two postcodes for an instant driving route. Alternatively just click on a name result and the address will show on the map.

• Software > Business & Office > Schedule & Contact Management > Directories
• Software > Education & Reference > Reference > Directories