Developed by Profile Media, the business publisher, the new software, to be called Share Friend Fundamentals (SFF), will give investors access to the kind of information previously the preserve of professionals and analysts.

Oldert says most private investors make decisions based on charting software, mainly because alternative systems have not been available. "Fundamental analysis is a much better way of identifying which shares to buy", which is why it is favoured by professionals like Warren Buffet and Peter Lynch," he says.

"Fundamental analysis enables investors to identify long-term value and this is important for the many investors who do not have the time for short-term trading."

Oldert says that many investors are dissatisfied with the results they have obtained from charting packages, which are more suited to short-term speculation.

"Warren Buffet once said that he buys shares on the assumption they could close the market tomorrow and not re-open it for five years. He is not speculating on market price movements. Instead, he identifies great businesses and becomes a shareholder in those businesses. As investors discover the power of fundamental analysis, their behaviour will change. They will hold shares for longer, and they won't necessarily bail out at the first sign of trouble."

Oldert notes that the longer-term view that goes with fundamental analysis is also tax-friendly.

SFF works off-line from a resident database, making it fast and efficient. Users subscribe to a daily update via the Internet that takes only a few minutes.

Oldert says that during beta testing the package impressed corporate users and professionals so much that some stockbrokers expressed an interest in buying the system.