Virtual Research Associates (VRA)

Providing a web-based software tool that supports interactive analysis and intuitive display of news wire data in the form of graphs, tables, and maps

Economic uncertainty and the war on terrorism have increased awareness of the vulnerability of financial markets and business operations. Virtual Research Associates was founded in 1996 to further develop and exploit the natural language parsing technology required for events analysis and predictive modeling. Our focus on social, political and economic events analysis was driven by the recognition that people were not able to fully use the ever-increasing volume of available information about global events at a time when monitoring and assessment was becoming increasingly critical to preventive action.

Providing early warnings about potential international “hot spots”

The VRA^® Knowledge Manager system illuminates countries’ vulnerabilities to social hazards by monitoring global news wire service reports, assessing them and presenting up-to-the-minute intelligence in graphs, maps and tables. Drawing on an electronic archive of reports spanning more than fifteen years and a continuous news feed from Reuters, VRA makes it possible for analysts to identify and assess trends reported in large volumes of text, and still drill down to any specific report for in-depth analysis. VRA software leverages the tasks that professionals already do by offering a 100% transparent and 100% consistent automated system of processing reports. By its technological leadership in natural language processing and events data analysis, VRA can support a number of risk management applications in a growing field of industries and professions, via a real-time system that is flexible, user customizable, intuitive, and low-cost to operate. By spotting areas where instability or violence is likely to occur, VRA is currently providing early warnings about potential international “hot spots” to government agencies, corporations, academic and intergovernmental and nongovernmental humanitarian organizations.

Helping companies succeed in the arena of global enterprise

Business leaders considering the global economy beyond the events of 9/11 have found the security and prosperity of the world’s nations increasingly interdependent. Knowledge of trends in regional political developments, civil strife, and other factors affecting global security is essential. It is the companies who hold the means to monitor and understand the forces of social, political and economic change who hold the power to succeed in the arena of global enterprise. In an era of constantly changing terrain and persistent challenges to security, the leaders of the next era of multinational companies need to be able to confidently navigate their firms through the uncertainties of the emerging global market.

Virtual Research Associates, Inc.

Providing a web-based software tool that supports interactive analysis and intuitive display of news wire data in the form of graphs, tables, and maps

Providing early warnings about potential international “hot spots”

Helping companies succeed in the arena of global enterprise