Keyword search

Any word, or combination of words and spaces, or any character on the keyboard, telephone numbers, fax numbers and e-mail addresses can be entered in the the Search box, up to a limit of 100 characters.

This is a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) search facility, not a Boolean search, i.e. using AND, OR, NOT logic.

Search industry sectors
Select an appropriate heading from the drop-down menu, followed by “Search for details”.

Search industry sub-sectors
Select an appropriate heading from the drop-down menu, (comprising the main industry sectors), followed by “Continue”, then select the appropriate sub-sector, followed by “Continue”.

Search Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) groups
These correspond to the main groups within the Standard Industrial Classification, 1992.  Select an appropriate heading from the drop-down menu at “SIC sector”.

Search Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) activities
These correspond to the activities within the main groups of the Standard Industrial Classification, 1992.  Select an appropriate heading from the drop-down menu, followed by “Continue”, then select an appropriate heading, followed by “Continue”.

Detailed search for a business
This option is scheduled for revision and will eventually provide a greater range of information than is currently available.  Details will be announced in due course.

Search Hints

Abbreviations

Abbreviations, which form part of business names, ar normally entered with intervening spaces, resulting in them being listed at the start of each letter of the alphabet.

Abbreviations forming part of business activity descriptions are not entered with intervening spaces and are shown alongside the full meaning in the first instance:

e.g. asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL)

These rules are applied consistently throughout the database.

Business Names

Businesses are entered using the normal form of their business name, but registered companies are always entered under their registered name. If a business has a trading name, then it is entered under the registered name, with the trading name shown below:

e.g. A B C Industries Ltd

T/A A B C Transport (T/A = trading as)

Both names would be found by using the "Keyword Search" facility.

Businesses frequently undergo changes of names. Where this information is known, the previous names are retained on the database, making it possible to search under an old name. An entry found in this way will appear under the new business name.

e.g. a search for Kvaerner Govan Ltd will return an entry for B A E Systems Marine Ltd

Database Coverage

While every effort is made to include as many businesses as possible, current resources do not extend to the inclusion of every business in the City, which has around 21,500 business units, including the retail sector.  The churn rate is around 6,000 businesses per annum.  This rate of change, coupled with the huge number of changes to existing business details required on an ongoing basis, makes it extremely difficult to maintain the currency of the data held.  To assist in this process, the business community is invited to submit changes of details by e-mail to ray.alexander@drs.glasgow.gov.uk, or by using the forms provided.

Postcode Searches

Postcode searches can be performed by entering all, or part of, a postcode in the keyword search box.  When searching for single digit postcodes, such as G2, enter a single space after the postcode to ensure that the search will not find G21, G22, etc.  Postcode sub-sectors can also be identified, e.g. G41 3.

Standard Industrial Classification

At the moment, the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes are being revised across the entire database.  Clients are advised to use the "Industry sector" searches or "Keyword search" for a subject approach.

The version of the Standard Industrial Industrial Classification used is the 1992 edition.  This is currently being revised, with a new edition expected in 2007.

Subject Searches

Subject searches can be performed by using the "Keyword search", "Industry sector", or “Standard Industrial Classification” search categories.