Businesses on the hunt for new offices or industrial space can find what they are looking for using new technology developed in the US, which has been applied to Kent for the first time.

The mapping system, created by GIS Planning, a service from the Financial Times, combines a property database with business intelligence.

Searchers can tap into an area’s labour force and local skills information, demographics, population, wage levels, housing, infrastructure and educational offering.

Investment agency Locate in Kent, which tries to attract businesses to the county, has implemented the system – the first time it has been used in the UK.

It has helped more than 1,000 companies move to, set-up or expand in Kent since it was formed in 1996.

Chief executive Paul Wookey said: “It means companies coming to us to find land or premises can make informed business decisions at the click of a button through the Locate in Kent website, saving them time and money.

“It’s not only going to enhance the experience of companies looking to set up or relocate to Kent, but also our own business offering as the county’s official investment agency.”

Anatalio Ubalde, chief executive and co-founder of GIS Planning Inc, said: “Market research shows that more than 97% of site selectors research locations online, often without contacting economic development organizations.

“The commercial Kent property market is open for business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via the Locate in Kent website.”

Locate in Kent’s property portal lists more than 1,300 premises.