Precise identification is essential for the successful implementation of biological control programmes and the establishment of effective quarantine measures for an ever- increasing pool of pest and beneficial species on the move throughout the world. They are usually printed on paper, sometimes with illustrations, and provide pairs of descriptions. The user selects one of the pair that best matches their specimen and this points to the next pair of descriptions. The process continues until one of the choices provides a name. For non-experts traditional keys are often difficult to use because a scientific language is used and illustrations are often lacking or placed elsewhere.
Computers can sort through large tables of data quickly, and display pictures and text together.
Computers cannot replace a taxonomic expert, but they can assist the non-expert greatly in the use of keys. As such it is a Multiple Entry Key , which means that the user has some choice over questions to answer, avoiding ones which are impossible because the specimen is damaged, or ones where they are uncertain of the answer. Pictures and relevant textual information are provided for verification. This sophisticated software can also perform comparisons of the identification to its own minimal diagnosis, similar taxa, and to taxa with similar identification sequences. These steps help to ensure that the identification is correct.