I find our faculty profile to be ONE useful tool, but I do not rely upon it
as a primary source of information for research and technology purposes.
As Marcia Zuzolo stated, our database is voluntary, therefore gaps in
listings are inherent.  The research community and sponsored research
offices are also limited to the time and resources that can be allocated to
keep this database current.  When I am searching for a particular research
and/or technology area inside our University, I utilize several resources.
These include the our own Technology Transfer Liason Committee (TTLC) members
(faculty members appointed by departments to liason with TTO), Deans of
Research on each of our campuses, department chairs, sponsored research
offices on all the campuses, and of course the FRID (faculty research interest
database).

Our research offices and like entities on other campuses should be praised
for facilitating this type of service.  As technology progresses I see an
electronic database of this nature becoming less labor intensive and more
reliable, but until then, I find it necessary to tap all available
resources.

jude wilkinson
technology transfer office
assistant director
indiana university
one city centre, suite 314
bloomington, in  47404
xxxxxx@indiana.edu