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Please click on the links below to access the relevant chapters of the user guide:

1) Background - What is the RIU Extranet?
2) How can I gain access to the RIU Extranet?
3) Additional data and benefits available as an RIN member?
4) Publicly Viewable Pages
5) Password Protected Pages
6) Online Resources and Applications

1) Background - What is the RIU Extranet?

The Regional Intelligence Unit Extranet (http://www.nwriu.co.uk/) offers our partners in the region access to key intelligence. The RIU Extranet also supports the Regional Intelligence Network, a network of data researchers and practitioners from all interest areas in the region. This network facilitates the flow of data, information, intelligence and best practice throughout the region.

This user guide will assist you and enable you to find the intelligence you need with greater ease, improved efficiency, and increased speed.

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2) How can I gain access to the RIU Extranet?

The RIU Extranet is the method by which each user can access the regionally shared data over a secure portal. If you are already a registered member please use your username and password to gain access to the password protected areas of the site. If you are not a member please click on the not registered link on the homepage to begin the registration process.

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3) Additional data and benefits available as an RIN member?

Once you are a member of the RIN and have an RIU Extranet login you will be able to access the full RIU website and also receive regular information and intelligence bulletins from the RIU. In addition to this you will also be able to access in-house data within the RIU such as the North West Companies Database and HESA Data. Click here for more information on the RIU Suite of Databases and Tools.

4) Publicly Viewable Pages

The RIU Extranet is split up into publicly viewable and password protected pages. The publicly viewable sections don’t require a user to login to the Extranet.

Capabilities and Databases – This page provides a comprehensive guide to the capabilities of the RIU in a matrix format and lists all the databases and applications used by the RIU.

Partners – The following page contains hyperlinks to other websites to suit your needs. From business related information to preserving heritage, you'll find it all here. If you are involved in a site or know of any sites that you think fits into one of our categories and would like to submit it into our directory, please submit details to nwriu@nwda.co.uk.

5) Password Protected Pages

The password protected pages require a user to login to the Extranet before accessing.

These pages include the following sections:

Strategic and Spatial Intelligence – A section devoted to Strategic Intelligence, providing key information to intelligence using mapping software such as ARCVIEW and MapInfo.

Economic Intelligence - On this page are posted latest pieces of economic intelligence work produced by the NWDA Research Unit, along with links to an archive of economic intelligence documents and documents linked to the NWDA Regional Economic Strategy.

Research Programme - In partnership and consultation with regional players, who are members of the Regional Intelligent Network, the RES advisory group and others, we deliver a research programme which identifies the intelligence gaps within the Regional Economic Strategy (RES). This section lists the projects currently being undertaken.

Sub Regional Information Resources - For each of the 5 North West Sub Regions you will find the following information:

- RIU Area Profile
- A Map of each Sub Region
- Links to Sub Regional Partnership Websites
- Links to Official Data Sources

Tourism Research Pages - The site provides regional and sub-regional tourism data including volume and value, visitor research and industry performance reports. There are links to national tourism research as well as to other RIU resources such as economic data, area profiles and cultural reports.

Census 2001 - The following page provides links to the 2001 Census Results pages from the Office for National Statistics Website.

RIU E-briefings - The E-briefing has been developed to provide information on the activities of the RIU, outlining our programme of activity for the coming months, along with reports of recent meetings and details of forthcoming events.

Sector Skills and Productivity Alliances - Sector Skills and Productivity Alliances (SSPAs) were established in 2003 to boost productivity, skills levels and economic competitiveness across England's Northwest. The RIU Extranet has a section dedicated to each individual SSPA containing the sector action plan, relevant datasets and links to data sources.

6) Online Resources and Applications

The RIU Extranet contains the following online tools and applications: Click on the links below to access these applications and userguides: * = Password Protected

Information Resources - * Data available on the RIU Extranet includes links to data on subjects such as agriculture, business, benefits, crime, education and training, employment, health, housing, income and population statistics.

Dataset Submission Form – From the homepage this allows a user to submit a dataset for inclusion on the RIU Extranet.

Enquiry Submission Form - This is a free service which allows users to submit an information request via an online form.

Regional Compendia – * The RIU has produced a series of regional compendia containing statistics on a wide range of subjects from economics to labour market information. The RIU has hyperlinked this page to allow you to move straight to the data listed. A userguide is available by clicking here.

How do I find out more?

If you have any queries regarding the RIU Extranet please call 01925 400291 or email nwriu@nwda.co.uk