Wharton Research Data Services
Global Standard for Business Research
Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) has transformed the way business research is conducted around the world. Using WRDS, researchers at more than 200 top-ranked business schools and financial institutions worldwide access a wealth of data through a consistent web-based interface.
Data that once took weeks to collect can now be accessed in minutes and faculty can use complex financial data sets "live" in the classroom.
First developed at Wharton in 1993, WRDS has been available to other institutions through a web-based interface since 1997 and today is recognized as the global standard for quantitative business research.
WRDS offers business researchers around the world:
- Instant access to important databases in the fields of finance, accounting, banking, economics, management, marketing, and public policy
- Simple, yet powerful Web interface, providing point-and-click access, a common interface, and a consistent data format
- Sophisticated tools and sample programs for a variety of research applications and objectives
- Classroom learning enhancements, allowing faculty to easily integrate research data into classroom lectures and student projects
- Support from the WRDS team of PhDs and IT Specialists
Technical Platform
Software:
- SAS
- Sun Solaris
Hardware:
- Sun Fire E20K server
- 40 terabyte Sun storage area network
WRDS Recognition
Awards
- 2003: CIO Magazine, Enterprise Value Award
- 2003: Computerworld Honors, Laureate Award for "visionary use of information technology"
Press
- 2007 June 7: Wharton News, Wharton Online Data Service Reaches New Milestone
- 2004 May/Jun: BizEd, "The Wharton Research Data Service Signs Its 100th Subscriber" [PDF]
- 2003 Feb 01: CIO Magazine, "Wharton School Is Best in Class With Databases"
