IFAD is an economically independent non-profit institution supported by more than 50 companies ranging from software developers over application industries to banks.
All employees are highly skilled engineers and scientists.
IFAD collects and develops new knowledge on the application of computer technology and makes this information available to potential users. A central activity is research and development directed towards areas relevant to industry. IFAD has been involved in the development, application and evolution of the formal method VDM for several years. These services are made available on a commercial basis, and therefore IFAD has a strong interest in convincing various branches of industry that formal methods are a mature and viable approach to improving the software development process. We see the free availability of access to free information resources as one of the necessary ways of creating the required awareness of formal methods.