Abstract: A grid type network comprising a grid controller for receiving data in the form of a queue from a database. The grid controller is arranged to divide the data into a plurality of batches and dispatch the batches between a plurality of terminals which may be registered with the grid controller. Each terminal is registered on the basis that it contains a processing unit which is usually in an idle state. The terminals are also provided with processing logic related to the processing to be carried out on the batches. The plurality of terminals perform the processing on the batches and on completion, the database is updated with processed data.