In the last in the series on knowledge transfer, we look in-depth at three successful, practical case studies from active academic partner The University of Wolverhampton.

Every knowledge transfer partnership has different goals and challenges but  we take a look a closer look at how projects can get off the ground and what it involves on both sides of the fence.

Toffa International

As a developer of data synchronisation solutions for mobile phones, PDAs and other handheld devices, Toffa’s product portfolio was predominantly Novell based but the market for such products was declining and turnover was falling. The company needed to diversify to survive so the KTP was set up with the the University of Wolverhampton's school of computing to introduce the necessary skills and knowledge to develop synchronisation solutions for other sector-leading programs.

Initial work focused on the development of a mobile device remote settings program for existing clients to improve its synchronisation service and reduce the number of calls received. Then it turned to developing new software and tapping into the university’s expertise and facilities to commercialise research findings more quickly.

When Google Calendar was launched, Toffa recognised the business benefits and adapted its software, utilising many new techniques such as web hosting, maintaining security, search engine key word strategies, blogging and online advertising to launch GooSync via the internet. The product continues to attract some 10,000 users each month and feedback from the community has driven technical fixtures, additional features and user support. The company is no longer dependent on legacy products and has returned to profitability.

Working with Toffa enabled academics to feedback real data to the university on the potential for software development to be driven by the online community. This data is being used to create case studies and will be the driver for a proposed virtual learning environment. It has also played a role in the radical review of teaching within the school of computing, with blogs forming a major part in certain undergraduate programming and information systems modules.

Goodwill Trophy Company

As a supplier of trophies and giftware, the company primarily used products from suppliers but wanted to improve future growth and profitability by designing its own range. It partnered with the university’s school of art and design to develop a computer aided design (CAD) capability and establish its own identity.

One of the challenges during the project was that some suppliers did not understand software and were unable to use 3D design or engineering drawings, but they have now adapted quickly and use it in their own sampling processes. Also, because the CAD system is unique to the sector, the company has strengthened its place in the market and has also made savings in time to market, with systems including visualisation, rendering and modelling programs, complemented by new photography equipment for marketing and brochure design work.

Product sales have increased, new undergraduate projects have been established, product development times and costs are lower and the company is now being able to keep pace with the annual development cycle.

The school of art and design was instrumental in helping with the software and hardware requirements, advising and assisting in the development of the design process and management, with the experiences set to be incorporated in the future academic curriculum. Feedback from the project has also meant staff not directly involved in the project have also had the opportunity to update their knowledge.

Entec International

As a global procurement solutions provider offering a fully outsourced supply chain management to customers worldwide, the company’s services included data translation and cleansing, point of sale and promotional items, stock optimisation, stores rationalisation and excess inventory disposal. However, although it had a strong technical team, it did not have the in-house skills for systems development and partnered with the university’s computing and information technology department to establish a fully integrated system that interfaced with all internationally recognised operating platforms.

The KTP has meant that the company now has a single, user-friendly, web-based trading platform, which integrates the systems previously used to process orders. This has removed the need for data transfer between systems, saving processor time and reducing the potential for data loss. Simplification has also reduced training requirements and allows external companies to retrieve account information and track their orders more easily.

Sales turnover has increased by around £3 million per year and the new system has opened up the potential to exploit new markets. Working with the company has also enabled academics to see the benefits of applying a standard series of design patterns to object-orientated programming to meet a commercial need.

In addition, the knowledge gained will further the university department’s research into design patterns and their uses, and benefit students as the curriculum for core topics are modified and new modules and case studies generated, helping to equip them with relevant commercial issues and solutions.

PREVIOUS ARTICLES ON KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER:

Blog spot: Turning the page in knowledge transfer

Think small to think big in creative IT

Setting the standards in knowledge transfer