DEC France SA is casting around for local partners to extend its penetration of key vertical sectors, and today announces a collaboration agreement with Sema-Metra SA on development of applications using expert system shells. The two companies have pooled their resources in the field of artificial intelligence and in particular have been working together on applications in the finance and banking sector. The first fruits are to be announced at a banking event in Paris today. DEC’s contribution is its tools for developing expert systems and Sema-Metra in putting together information bases. DEC says that Groupe Paribas may also bring to the party its knowledge of the needs of the financial community.