The use of an automated text database by a business development staff and proposal writers for locating and organizing information is examined. The capabilities of an automated information retrieval system containing a text database are discussed. Types of searches are described, and a sample search is given. Benefits and pitfalls of this approach are considered. Applications to other marketing efforts are noted.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>