Search Acumen sets a new ‘big data’ precedent


Search Acumen200Search Acumen, the search provider, has become the first to fully integrate Land Registry’s newly released National Spatial Dataset in a ground-breaking move that gives conveyancers unprecedented access to official property records.

Version 2.0 of Search Acumen’s Title Intelligence service builds on the original tool which it launched in March 2015. It was the search industry’s first use of the Inspire Land Registry data so conveyancers can visualise and validate property locations by displaying a boundary map on-screen using a live data link.

Search Acumen has now moved rapidly to integrate the full National Polygon Dataset (NPD) – published towards the end of 2015 – and make the search process even simpler for conveyancers.

The latest update to Title Intelligence means it can now display multiple titles at a given address on a single map, and uses clear colour-coding to distinguish between types of tenure.

By doing so, the tool makes it easier for users to identify and select the correct titles: reducing the risk of incorrect orders that cause delays to the conveyancing process.

The upgrade also removes an entire step from the process of ordering conveyancing searches on residential properties.

Rather than needing to log in separately to the Land Registry portal to view property boundaries via its ‘Map Search’ facility and order official copies of the register or plan (OC1), Search Acumen’s clients can now carry out all these actions as part of its streamlined order process.

The new features will further reduce the time needed for conveyancers to process searches, allowing them to get all the necessary information quickly and easily by minimising the steps to complete their orders.

Upgrading Title Intelligence is the latest example of Search Acumen’s IntelliSearch approach in action. It hinges on the meaningful application of technology using in-depth knowledge of conveyancing to improve the relevance, accuracy, accessibility and speed of search data.

The business has consistently capitalised on increasing access to licenced datasets from Land Registry during 2015. Plans are already in place to develop further residential and commercial property search services using big data in 2016.

Andrew Lloyd, managing director of Search Acumen, comments:

“It used to be the case that essential data for due diligence on property transactions could be hard to reach, and required conveyancers to jump through hoops that delayed the order process or exposed them to the risk of user error.

“Our Title Intelligence service laid the ground for a new approach, and we’ve taken it a step further using newly available National Polygon Dataset from Land Registry to create an ordering process that is much simpler for conveyancers to manage.

“It’s a whole different way of working that takes away the cumbersome legwork often required behind the scenes, so conveyancers have more time to focus on their client workload.

“Our collaboration with Land Registry also showcases the best of both worlds when it comes to marrying up public datasets with private sector innovation, and we’re proud to be the first in our market to demonstrate its potential.”

Lynne Nicholson, head of data products and services at Land Registry, comments:

“Search Acumen certainly haven’t wasted any time in embracing our latest published dataset exactly as we hoped businesses would, and turned it into a service with a clear benefit for conveyancers.

“The new, improved Title Intelligence service is another example of forward-thinking innovation made possible by Land Registry’s commitment to facilitate the wider use of land and property information.

“New technology and data-driven products have the potential to transform our industry, and we are committed to support the vision of firms like Search Acumen in anticipating and meeting future needs.”

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