The Explora Project, which is based in Germany, is meant to offer computer assistance in finding new knowledge in databases. In this project, discovery methods are developed and discovery systems are prototypically implemented to support analysts in performing knowledge discovery processes. The prototypes are then introduced and evaluated in practical applications. The discovery framework of Explora relies on the embedding of discovery patterns into the search algorithm. Based on work in the EXPLORA project a prototype has been implemented for the Apple Macintosh and used in a lot of practical applications (market research, medicine, election research, natural hazards, political planning, etc.) proving the potentiality of discovery systems.