Diana Deavin, business manager of Piras information group, said the database would provide regularly updated information on press installations using press releases from companies and manufacturers, telephone research and questionnaires.

Companies will be able to contribute to market research reports, read information on the latest installations, and search using tools such as installation date, manufacturer or model.

Seven days free access is available from www.piranet.com, but an annual subscription will cost 2,500 (EUR3,750).

The database will initially comprise information on around 4,000 installations from Piras own database.