Verity finds search answers for desktop and Net

The cross-platform suite allows powerful text searching and comes in three separate versions: Search 97 Personal; Information Server; and Agent Server. Search 97 Personal uses Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Windows 95 Explorer and Internet Explorer as the front-end to view over 200 file formats, independent of the native application in which they were created. It can create a personal index of viewed information, calling up files quickly through a powerful text searching facility.

Search 97 Information Server lets companies graphically browse their databases and intra-nets. The Agent Server version allows users to create and manage intelligent agents which constantly search for information of interest on intra-nets or the Internet.

The suite is based on the widely-supported Verity search engine. Verity plans to bundle the Personal version with several PC vendors' products by the end of this year, and Compaq and AT&T are likely partners. "Our main competition is Microsoft, but we are confident as we already have all the large partners," said Verity CEO Philippe Courtot.

Verity offers a free cut-down version of Search 97 Personal on its Web site, and pricing for the full version will be around £100 for a single user. The Server version will cost around £1,200 per server.

Verity can be contacted by telephone on 01372-747076.