16 technology & innovation Expertise made accessible
A central source for knowledge in the latest digital concepts relevant to business has been launched by Bournemouth University. Called the The Digital Hub, the vehicle will allow businesses regionally, nationally and globally, access to the University’s expertise in the world of creative and digital technologies.
Extensive knowledge in specialist areas such as digital marketing, cloud computing, and eye-tracking technology has been achieved through sophisticated research from across the University’s diversity of schools with both academics and students.
The Digital Hub aims to formalise Bournemouth University’s already established digital work with businesses and create a platform for others to benefit from. It is hoped the team can develop further business solutions through research-led enterprise.
The Hub positions Bournemouth University as a credible provider of consultancy in all aspects of digital innovation at a time when the speed of change is at its fastest. Acknowledging this can be overwhelming for businesses trying
Right Light set to improve living conditions in Africa
Entrepreneurial students from the University of Southampton have set up a new project to improve standards of living and future economic opportunities in rural African communities, by replacing kerosene with solar lamps.
From left: Corinna Budnarowska, Dr Mike Molesworth, Dr Gelareh Roushan and Dr Philip Alford
to stay ahead, Dr Philip Alford, lead academic for the team, said: “It is critical that businesses are aware of the opportunities and challenges surrounding the digital economy. There are so many potentially confusing sources of knowledge out there; we believe The Digital Hub cuts through this and provides an objective and trusted approach.“
The launch further strengthens the message to commercial, public sector and not-for-profit
Mobile phone recording technology goes global
A technology firm which started life in Southampton has landed a significant global contract with the help of Clarke Willmott.
Southampton-based Compliant Phones, an independent mobile voice and data recording company, has signed a deal with software giant Autonomy to see its mobile
phone recording technology rolled out across the world. The system is particularly popular with big financial institutions which will soon be bound by forthcoming strict Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations to monitor mobile phone calls in a bid to stamp out illegal trading and malpractice.
organisations that Bournemouth University’s research achieves high impact in the business environment.
Bringing together expertise from the School of Tourism, the School of Design, Engineering & Computing (DEC), the Media School, School of Applied Sciences and the Business School, the Hub ensures external audiences benefit from the full suite of skills available from collaboration across the University.
Clarke Willmott’s lawyers helped Compliant Phones secure the first round of investment in the business lead by private equity specialists Oxford Capital Partners. The multi- million pound cash injection has allowed the business to expand and been instrumental in securing a three-year global contract with Cambridge firm Autonomy, one of the largest software companies in Europe with more than 20,000 customers worldwide and a market capitalisation more than £4.4 billion.
Turnover increase to continue with new product
Christchurch-based hazard detection specialist Groveley Detection has announced another record year with an 82% increase in turnover to £3.9 million for its latest financial year, which ended in May.
A new product, the GDU-Incus ultrasonic gas leak detector (pictured), will allow the company to continue to expand into world markets. This airborne leak detector offers a vast area of coverage, high sensitivity and an extreme
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temperature range, plus features such as self-testing and cleaning.
Managing director Robert Bennet said the increase was due to focusing on high-end products and quality service: “We are well established in the industry after 19 years, we know our markets well and what our customers are looking for. We have concentrated on niche areas and providing excellent customer service, and built up a very good in-house team.“
The Right Light project has been established by Southampton SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), a student-run social enterprise and an affiliated society of the University of Southampton Students’ Union. The aim of the project is to increase the use of solar lamps to improve health and education standards and to reduce family expenditure therefore increasing their disposable incomes.
Kerosene lamps have been the traditional source of light in rural communities across the developing world. However, the lamps emit toxic fumes that affect respiratory health, provide poor quality light, and offer no opportunity for income- generating activities. Kerosene is also expensive. Solar lamps offer a solution to this problem, but at a cost of £12 they are unaffordable for many communities, who may only earn £8 a month per family. Right Light addresses this by implementing a micro-credit model, where families pay 10% of the cost in the first month followed by weekly repayments of 20p over the remaining 12 months.
The project has been trialled with 93 families across three communities in Madagascar; reducing their family expenditure by 10%, helping 408 children to learn better at night and improving the health of 75% of family members. By increasing investment in the communities, the project encourages business creation and income generation, allowing the communities to all achieve greater living standards.
Michael Austin, second-year geography student and founder of Right Light, said: “Right Light is innovative as it brings together microfinance and a product that is already capable of changing lives. This project is a testament to why students should get involved in social enterprise.“
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – SEPTEMBER 2011
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