Adrac Ltd: Local search in the UK

Google Places aims at the idea of immediate, accurate results for Real World events.
Users can search GP for events happening close to their location and these are displayed as a list of purely local results.
Formerly, the local rankings were presented alongside normal results for a search, as a kind of free gift or secondary offering, like Local was a shabby neighbour of worldwide search.
Searchers, the UK search engine, agrees that Local Search is a valid way forward, and has invested in this kind of service over the long term.
Technical director Kym Kinlin told Adrac: “Searchers has always recognised the value of Local. We’re a relatively small nation … we understand how focused searches reap better rewards.
“These benefits are also for British companies, which reap the rewards of increased traffic, not just to their website but right into their shop, pub, restaurant or hotel.”

Local business leaders visit Adrac Ltd

Adrac Ltd was among Lancashire companies that played host to a delegation from Whitehall and North West business leaders.

Representatives from central and local government visited several businesses in East Lancashire, including Adrac’s office at Reach Global’s headquarters in Church, Accrington. Here, they met with company directors and took a tour of the premises to see the investment in staff and equipment.

Reach Global companies based include Searchers, Tundu, NetMovers as well as Adrac Ltd. They employ around 70 staff including sales advisers, technology experts, marketing professionals, copywriters and designers.

The visiting party included the chief executive of East Lancs Chamber of Commerce, Mike Damms, who likened the atmosphere at the Technology Centre to a well-known invigorating energy beverage: “It’s like drinking a can of Red Bull!”

Other visitors included High Sheriff of Lancashire Dennis Mendoros; chief executive of Burnley Borough Council Steve Rumbelow; chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council Graham Burgess; and Steve Hoyle from Lancashire County Council.

Why Schmidt reminds me to embrace grocery shopping, by Jackie @ Adrac

The prospect of humans being chipped to enhance their search experience is so bizarre that I actually checked my calendar didn’t say April 1st. I’m still not entirely sure that Google’s Eric Schmidt isn’t playing with us, even a little: perhaps it’s fun to wind us up and watch us hop madly.

Still, this is thought-consuming subject. I sat in my modern office at Adrac and imagined myself in an ultra-modern world like Minority Report; I am walking through a shopping centre mall and the advertising boards are asking me about my satisfaction with previous purchases and targeting my needs tastes preferences in their next sales pitch.

I reflected muchly on the fact that my pets are chipped, so if they get lost, I have a better chance of being reunited with them.

I also thought a little more about ID Cards in the UK and how the idea really raised our hackles: the British Bulldog has a fighting streak when it feels its freedom is being threatened.

Time is precious because we like to work hard and play hard in the 21st century: however, I’m prepared to shoulder the inconvenience of the grocery shopping trip navigated using a hastily scribbled list on the back of an old envelope; in return for knowing that, for at least some portion of the day – probably when I am asleep – I am not observed or data routinely collated about me and my life habits.

Though perhaps even the fact I am “not connected” is data in itself!

In this “always-connected” age where we have our mobiles on us all the time, it is sometimes difficult to remember what it is like to be able disconnect ourselves and enjoy our own company. One day, we might not have this luxury.