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Centre for Knowledge Transfer - Annual Review 2008

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Annual review featuring a selection of knowledge transfer project (KTP) case studies organised by the Centre for Knowledge Transfer at London South Bank University during the past year.

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Page 1: Centre for Knowledge Transfer - Annual Review 2008

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Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) are Government funded programmes designed to help businesses improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of the knowledge, technology and skills available within UK universities.

Over the past twelve years, London South Bank University, through the Centre for Knowledge Transfer, has collaborated with over 100 companies to share the latest technical advances and know-how. Today, we are one of the top three KTP partners in the UK, and by far the largest in the Greater London area.

Benefits of KTPAt the heart of every Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme is a project with specific strategic objectives. A high-quality graduate (a KTP Associate), supported by academic expertise at LSBU, will work exclusively on the project at the company to deliver tangible results.

Projects usually last between two to three years. A company or organisation can take on up to 5 KTP Associates, but each Associate has to have their own individual project.

The company or organisation gets:Grand funding to cover 50% or 67% • of project costs including employment, travel, equipment, and training budget, depending on the company size.Input from academic experts and • access to university resources.Networking opportunities through • KTP programmes.

EligibilityTo be eligible for a KTP programme, the company or organisation must satisfy the following requirements:

Financially healthy and able • to support the projectHave a strategically important, • and innovative projectAble to show a return on • investment for the projectRequire expertise from the university.•

We hope you find this Annual Review informative and interesting, stimulating your interest in KTP programmes at LSBU.

To learn more about KTP please contact the Centre for Knowledge Transfer on: 020 7815 6922 or email [email protected]

Knowledge Transfer at LSBU

Average TurnoverIncrease

Benefits of KTP on Company Finances

Average ProfitIncrease

37%

109%

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Business Information Technology and Management

Business and Operational Systems • Competitive Strategies• Data Analysis and Statistics• Marketing Strategies and Communication• Event Planning and Tourism Management• Accounting and Finance Management•

Computing and ITProgramming Languages• Software Engineering and Development• Networking Organisation and Management • Database Systems and Security• Web Technologies and Internet Systems• E-Commerce• Imaging and Graphics Development•

Engineering and MechatronicsOperations Management• Engineering Product Design• Hazardous Environment Testing and Safety • Quality Control• Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics• Robotics and Artificial Intelligence •

Construction, Architecture and Building Services

Construction Management and Economics• Urban Design and Development Strategies• Commercial and Industrial Architecture• Environmental and Sustainable Futures• Post Occupancy Evaluation, Indoor Air • Quality and Energy Use in BuildingsBuilding and Property Services•

Manufacturing and Engineering ProcessesManufacturing Engineering• New Materials, Composites and Applications• Control Engineering• Non-Destructive Testing• Operations Management and • Manufacturing MechanicsGeotechnical Engineering• Environmental Safety, Systems and Testing • Environmental Acoustics• Computer Networks Engineering• Thermal Systems, Refrigeration and Cooling• Microprocessors •

Energy, Environment and SustainabilitySustainable Energy Technologies and Systems• Solar Energy Technologies and Systems• Transport Studies• Environmental Management •

General and Applied SciencesSport and Exercise Science• Biotechnology• Forensic Science• Chemical Engineering•

Food Science and NutritionFood Safety and Hygiene Processes• Nutrition• Manufacturing Simulation and Quality Control• Management and Process Control Systems• Shelf Life Evaluation and Packaging•

Health Services, Social Care and Well-BeingHealth Research Methods, • Processes and AssessmentSports, Physical Activity and Well-Being Research• Clinical Risk Assessment• Patient Care and Interaction• Management in Mental Health• Health Care Services and Ethics• Social Policies and Equal Opportunity•

Arts and Human SciencesArts and Creative Media• Graphics and Design• Virtual Learning• Educational Development and Policy• Legal Methods and Case Management • Psychology•

Expertise at LSBU

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Business: Designer, developer and manufacturer of processing and packaging machinery for the food manufacturing industry

Projects: To develop and implement new design machinery to reduce manufacturing costs, and develop an integrated production planning and scheduling system.

An entirely new range of modular conveyors for the food industry has been developed at Wright Machinery during a KTP programme. KTP Associate Ran Mendelewicz developed a new conveyor that incorporates a novel vibration absorber, which has been patented. “This was an entirely unexpected outcome of the KTP and led to 3 major US contracts that we would not have acquired otherwise,” said Ran. The innovative feature and the new modular components have significantly reduced manufacturing costs.

“The new conveyers are much lighter in weight due to the new vibration absorber. This gives considerable material savings and significant advantages to the customer,” said Tim Moulsdale, Engineering Director of Wright Machinery.

LSBU Academic Chris Dowlen helped Ran in the development of the new conveyor. “The KTP has given me valuable experience of new product design and development, including investigating product failures and performance testing. It gave the opportunity to bring my design experience from a range of situations into a new and different setting.”

To stay competitive, the company also needed to improve its production planning, quality and speed of delivery while driving down costs. Rosemary Thomas, the second KTP Associate, introduced planning and scheduling tools, which have led to significant operational improvements. “By implementing a tool for delivery forecasting, the sales team can now offer clients realistic delivery dates, and appropriate pricing based on speed of turnaround. Previously, we could not guarantee delivery and therefore lost business,” commented Stephen Cory, Quality Manager of Wright Machinery.LSBU Academic Jeff Burke supported development of the planning and scheduling tools.

The KTP programme has enhanced Wright Machinery’s reputation, sales have doubled

and profit margins have increased due to better manufacturing and operational efficiencies.

Wright Machinery

“This was an entirely unexpected outcome of the KTP and led to 3 major US contracts that we would not have acquired otherwise.”

ManUFaCTUring, EnginEEring and MaTEriaLS

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ManUFaCTUring, EnginEEring and MaTEriaLS

Business: Manufacturer of cabling and trunking systems for the building services industry Project: To reduce manufacturing costs by introducing new product design capabilities and engineering systems.

“The floor box designed during the KTP was the first patent that the company ever had. It has allowed us to reach new market areas, raise our profile and increase sales,” explained KTP Associate Alasdair Convery.

According to Caroline Wrinch, Managing Director of Cableduct, the new box developed during the KTP with LSBU is now the leading product on the market, and is achieving significant sales.

Alasdair designed and developed a novel patented floor service box for accessing cabling usually sunk into the floor cavity. The new box has fewer components allowing quick push fit. “It is a high quality floor box for general office use, and it sells at an inexpensive price compared to other high quality floor boxes,” said Alasdair. Alasdair has modified other designs resulting in significant

cost savings on use of material and manufacturing time. Cableduct now has in-house ability to produce new designs and target sales more effectively.

“We found we were losing major sales to overseas competitors, so we knew we needed to improve our current products” said Caroline. “The KTP programme with LSBU has not only allowed us to patent a new product but has also enabled us to become one of the top providers of cable floor boxes,” she added.

LSBU Academic Chris Dowlen supplied the technical support and Mikko Arevuo brought his marketing expertise to the project. “This KTP has allowed us to experience areas of intellectual property development, rapid prototyping and plastic moulding design. These can be taught in academic environments, but the real understanding of them can only be achieved through involvement on an industrial project like this one,” Chris commented.

Winner of The Collaborative Innovation Excellence Award, part of The London Knowledge Transfer Awards 2008.

CableductBusiness: Manufacture of doors and bespoke joinery for the construction industry

Project: To manage the transition from traditional bespoke workshop joinery to product-specific manufacture, including development, planning and new IT systems.

Soundcraft will be the first company in the UK to manufacture ‘Passive Windows’ with high thermal performance as a result of a KTP programme with LSBU. “The ‘Passive Window’ is aimed to reduce heat loss and bring carbon emissions as close to zero as possible” explained Terry Marshall, Managing Director of Soundcraft. “This KTP will give Soundcraft the opportunity to exploit a growing market for thermally efficient windows against a background of increasing concern about climate change and global warning,”

By installing ‘Passive Windows’ in new buildings, energy consumption can be reduced significantly. ‘Passive Windows’ are aimed to help new developments comply with the new building regulations.

Soundcraft

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Business: Provider of software services for the courier and travel industries

Projects: To develop world class software products for the courier and travel markets.

Metafour has expanded their business in the international courier and travel market as a result of a KTP programme with LSBU.

“Tour operators are facing an increasingly competitive market and they have to show how they are different in order to acquire and retain more customers. Travelsite is a magnificent tool that can help to achieve this and help clients drive their sales. We are delighted to have worked closely with LSBU through a KTP project to develop Travelsite,” said Rob Udwin, Metafour’s Business Development Director.

KTP Associate Sarah Javed developed the website enabled content management system. “Travelsite has been successfully launched into the market. Travelsite gives companies complete control over their Website; for instance, users can add and change keywords and meta-tags to increase

search engine positioning,” explained Sarah.

Travelsite has been successfully adopted by Metafour’s major clients. Prestige Holidays is already using it, and they are delighted with its functionality. “Travelsite is really easy to follow, and the software tools are superb because it allows our non-techie staff to update and change our websites. I am very pleased; it has helped us to move our websites to a new level, and we are already seeing the benefits on the bottom line,” said Cheri Dixon, Director of Prestige Holidays.

KTP Associate David Ullman developed the NetCourier software, catering for mailroom, freight, next flight out and wholesale couriers, so it could be used by a much wider range of companies.

“The new software has resulted in 12 new clients and in significant increasing sales in New York plus small sales in Hong Kong,” said Mark Rogers, Managing Director of Metafour.

LSBU Professor Allen Long assisted both aAssociates in development of the software. “Companies are seeking to use new technology

to deliver a higher quality service to their clients. They demand systems that will provide sophisticated user interfaces for their clients, but they want something that is easy to use. The challenging part of this project was to make complex user interfaces simple to use for non-technical people,” he commented.

Metafour have taken on a second KTP to develop a semi-automated help desk system allowing the company to offer 24 hour customer service.

Metafour UK

“Travelsite is a magnificent tool that can help clients drive their sales. We are delighted to have worked closely with LSBU through a KTP project to develop Travelsite.”

iT CoMMUniCaTionS and ELECTroniCS

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acturisBusiness: Software service provider for the insurance industry

Projects: To develop new software systems for improving client data transfers and provide an interactive system linking brokers with insurers.

An innovative broker trading system, which significantly improves broker efficiency, service, and broker-insurer interaction, was developed during a KTP programme with LSBU. “This platform is the only system a broker needs, and it is supplemented by innovative products and services aimed at increasing brokers’ revenue and providing growth opportunities,” commented David McDonald, CEO of Acturis.

The KTP project has had great impact on the Acturis business. User numbers increased by 51% with over 4,000 users on the system, revenue increased by 46%, and an additional 90 Broker Offices went live during the last year.

A new Wide Area Network (WAN) with Broker Connectivity has been successfully implemented by KTP Associate Peter Makin. “The new WAN

has provided Acturis with many benefits. Acturis is now able to provide new services such as internet access to brokers and Business to Business connections. Data transfer time has been significantly reduced, improving service and saving costs,” said Peter.

The second KTP Associate Colin Thurgood has incorporated a centralised monitoring system into the new platform. “This allows us to see operational issues as they arise, so proactive management can be quickly implemented before customers are affected,” explained Colin.

LSBU Professor Allen Long input academic expertise on the development of the project. “Acturis brokers are now able to receive and bid quotes very quickly with minimal paperwork. We gained valuable experience in the development of software systems that handle confidential data between distant sites.”

Business: Manufacturer of telecommunications equipment

Project: To design a new range of telecoms products for ultra-secure communication applications

“The advent of broadband communications has wiped out entire product lines for telecommunications companies,” said Michael Biggs, Managing Director of Kenton. Thanks to a KTP programme Kenton has developed a new product that allows broadband communications over traditional copper cable based systems.

The development of this innovative device was managed by KTP Associate Tony Sheppard. “This is an opportunity for a whole new family of telecoms products, based on core HDC software with different facilities, which give Kenton the opportunity to access new market sectors.”

LSBU Academic Dr Perry Xiao remarked “Working on this project was great. It gave me the opportunity to apply my knowledge and expertise while gaining skills in the areas of R&D.”

Kenton research

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Business: Building services engineering company

Project: To develop a financial and engineering software tool that evaluates optimal costs of achieving mandatory carbon emission reductions.

“The building industry has become a key part of the planning process in considering what the energy consumption of a building is going to be in order to get permission to build,” explained David Long, Chairman of Long & Partners (L&P).

A KTP programme supervised by LSBU Professor Tony Day is helping L&P to develop a software tool that will predict the efficiency of a building’s energy system and the financial benefit of the client’s investment. “At LSBU, we have years of experience designing building services and engineering systems. This project will help the industry estimate the value of renewable energy technologies” explained Tony.

KTP Associate Giovanni Privitera commented “The new software will allow us to show our clients all the different technologies that can be applied to the buildings.”

Long & PartnersBusiness: Provider of planning and design services for building fire safety

Project: To develop a tool for the assessment of structurally-based fire protection in buildings based on the behaviour of materials and heat transfer analysis.

The spread of fire in a building can be predicted, but Locke Carey has developed sophisticated software tools that incorporate sprinklers and detectors which allow designers and architects to create safer spaces. The novel tools created in two KTP programmes with LSBU have led to new contracts internationally. Since the completion of the programmes, Locke Carey sales have more than doubled. Glenn Horton, Technical Director of Locke Carey said: “Thanks to the fire modelling software, we were contracted to work in conjunction with PBS Architects on the building of the Dubai Metro system, and were contracted to provide strategic fire engineering for the Mall of Arabia due to open in 2010.”

LSBU Professor Phil Nolan collaborated with Locke Carey in the development of this software. “The benefits from this KTP project have been extended to be applied beyond this KTP,” he said, “For example, it has benefited LSBU’s major long term research contract with British Nuclear Group.”

After two successful KTP programmes, Locke Carey has just started a third KTP project. Professor Nolan and Dr Paul Holborn will be providing technical support. “The new project’s aim is to develop a software tool that allows us to predict the behaviour of building structures during fire growth development, and it also can be used to optimise the cost effectiveness of building materials and techniques,” they explained.

“This software will give Locke Carey a substantial advantage in the global market since we will be able to reduce costs to clients and provide a wider choice of lower cost fire-resistant materials,” said Pat Carey, Chairman of Locke Carey.

Locke Carey & associates

BUiLding SErviCES and ConSTrUCTion

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CrEaTivE indUSTriES, MEdia and dESign

Business: Developer of language learning products

Projects: To develop a method for delivering language content to mobile devices and an e-commerce system.

Eurotalk wanted their language-learning software to be accessible through mobile phones, to give access to people world-wide without computers. “We developed software which generates lessons that can be accessed by a new portable multimedia player rather like a small video player. This is been used to teach elementary maths, health topics and other basic educational subjects” explained KTP Associate Oszkar Nagy.

The KTP programme with LSBU has allowed Eurotalk to achieve a mobile version of their interactive video lessons which has been successfully piloted in Africa. “The successful demonstration of LearnAbout in Malawi has highlighted Eurotalk’s not-for-profit activities and has resulted in partnerships with the Ministry of Education in Malawi and other countries,” commented Richard Howeson, Managing Director of Eurotalk.

LSBU Professor Allen Long supported Oszkar in the development of the project. “The project has given me a clear perception of lifestyle and information dissemination using mobile phones and other portable devices” said Allen.

An e-commerce system has also been developed with orders and payment online, a new video dictionary with 8 target languages was introduced, and a Portable Video Phrase Book was developed for devices such as iPods, PSPs, multimedia players, and mobile phones.

“Through this KTP project, we have developed a technological solution which brings educational content to third world countries. The handheld devices, computers powered by solar panels, and the software on the devices is allowing schools in remote areas to provide appropriate lessons in their own native language. It’s really rewarding to know that kids in Malawi would go to school to learn by using this tool,” said Oszkar.

Eurotalk have recently taken on a second KTP to develop their multi-language e-commerce capability and support overseas customers.

EurotalkBusiness: Specialists in computer animation and visual effects for the film and television industries

Project: To develop an integrated project management environment facilitating the scheduling, production, resource allocation and financial planning for the production of visual effects, animation and motion graphics assets.

“At present it is very difficult to know exactly how long each of our processes take and what the most profitable areas are” commented Will Rockall, Director of Jellyfish Pictures.

Through this new and exciting KTP, Jellyfish Pictures is developing a project management tool that will be able to track digital assets for every project. “The programme will be invaluable for scheduling and project management and will become the main entry point for every member on our network” said Will.

Dilip Patel, Professor of Information Systems at London South Bank University said “a KTP project allows the industry to draw expertise from the University; we can exchange good practice from both sides.”

Jellyfish Pictures

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ConSULTanCy, rESEarCh and ProFESSionaL SErviCES

Business: Acoustics consultancy providing technical solutions for noise and vibration issues

Project: To design and develop culturally acceptable products and techniques for the mitigation of noise exposure for classical musicians.

“Musicians have been over exposed to noise, and little has been done to protect them,” commented KTP Associate Georgia Zepidou. “In 2005, new noise regulations were introduced. They were applied to the entertainment sector in April 2008, so now musicians must be protected from noise.” Sound Research Laboratories is pursuing ways to protect musicians from noise through a KTP with LSBU.

Currently, the existing options are not practical as they interfere with the musicians’ ability to perform and practice, so new ways must be found. In order to achieve this, LSBU acoustic specialists Dr Stephen Dance and Professor Bridget Shield have split the KTP into four phases: educating the musicians, assessment of the musicians, monitoring of their noise exposure and development of mitigating solutions. The

Sound research LaboratoriesRoyal Academy of Music has agreed to be a testing ground for both the noise exposure measurements and for trialling the products and techniques developed during the project. “The knowledge acquired in the first three stages of the project will be used to develop new techniques that can be applied to reduce the noise exposure of the students to each particular instrument,” explained Stephen. “A positive side effect of the initial work is raising musicians’ awareness of the level of noise exposure. Additionally, new forms of hearing protection will be developed based on newly available materials.”

The success of this project will allow SRL to have a better understanding of the practical issues of noise exposure amongst classical musicians.

Business: Independent research institute involved in international and humanitarian development

Project: To introduce and integrate Knowledge Management strategies and IT based systems to support those strategies.

Influencing international policy may seem like a daunting prospect, but for the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) it is now an easier business. An effective Knowledge Management (KM) system was developed during a KTP programme with LSBU.

KTP Associate Ben Ramalingam implemented interdepartmental working groups and used incentives to ensure the sharing of knowledge. Once this was achieved, Paul Matthews, the second KTP Associate, was responsible for installing the KM system that Ben had designed to manage the massive amounts of knowledge data generated by individual projects. ODI’s reputation has been greatly enhanced as a result of the KTP.

odi

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Business: Manufacturer of savoury snacks.

Project: To develop new processing technologies and create the next generation of healthy, fashionable low-fat snacks.

“We took on a KTP project in order to develop new products, and the outcomes have been brilliant. During the KTP our company doubled in size,” said Tony Butler, Sales Director of Snacks Unlimited. “We launched new products which account for about 80% of total turnover last year. This is a direct result of the KTP project. We are delighted with the results, and we are looking into a future KTP project.”

During the KTP project with LSBU, Snacks Unlimited has launched eight new low-fat products under the Weight Watchers brand. In addition, some of the existing Weight Watchers products have been reformulated, and four new own brand products have been launched.

KTP Associate Sophie Phanor has managed the development of those innovative snacks. “Consumer demand for healthy low fat

products has increased over recent years, and this KTP has helped Snacks Unlimited respond to this trend.”

LSBU academics Dr Ken Spears and Adri Bester provided valuable expertise to the project. “The challenge of this KTP was to develop snacks with fat contents of 3% when typical snacks contain 35% to 40% of fat,” Ken commented. “This project has allowed us to experience ‘live’ commercial products, and the opportunity to develop new curriculum areas in snack foods and nutritional requirements.”

Sophie also found time to help the company gain BRC Accreditation with zero non-conformances for the second time, and to set up a quality control laboratory.

Snacks Unlimited

Food ManUFaCTUrE and TEChnoLogy

“We launched new products which account for about 80% of total turnover last year. This is a direct result of the KTP project. We are delighted with the results, and we are looking into a future KTP project.”

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Business: Consulting Engineers specialising in the built environment

Project: To develop an expertise base in the field of ground coupled thermal technology for the storage of heat using underground resources.

The first aquifer thermal energy storage system in the UK has been developed by Fulcrum Consulting.

“No one else in the UK has this now, and this is just one of the great outcomes of the KTP with LSBU,” stated Andy Ford, Managing Director of Fulcrum Consulting. The original objective of the KTP was to develop a technology using Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) to cool and heat buildings. But as the project progressed, the initial idea extended, and the company has been able to exploit other areas such as sustainable energy, photo-voltaics, solar thermal, and passive building design, which were not planned in the original KTP project.

“KTP Associate Fuqiao Wang started using other technologies for aqua resources cooling, and it has become really successful.

The turnover resulting from this project is about £1M so far,” said Andy Ford.An extensive database and map of the Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage resources of the UK was built and managed during the KTP. The company gained expertise in integrated design concepts and the software to achieve low energy design aims. They have expanded their commercial potential, opening their first office in China. “Without the KTP the company probably would be still working in less efficient ways; for instance, the company has obtained the advanced technology and ability to design the GSHP system independently,” Fuqiao stated. LSBU Professor Graeme Maidment has provided technical support to this project. “The biggest benefit for LSBU is that we are now regarded as the UK expert in ground coupled cooling and have been asked to participate in some seminal publications and conferences on the subject,” he said.

The KTP has provided beneficial links to other related projects, raising the company profile. “The relationship with LSBU is very useful and

has enabled us to work with other major KTP projects such as the London Underground ‘cooling the tube’ project,” commented Andy. “Since Fulcrum has evolved as an expert in ground source energy systems, they were able to secure orders for the ‘cooling the tube’ project involving groundwater,” added Graeme.

Fulcrum Consulting

“no one else in the UK has this now, and this is just one of the great outcomes of the KTP with LSBU.”

EnErgy and EnvironMEnT

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diffusionECSCBusiness: Manufacturer of heating and cooling products

Project: To design and develop new air curtains and fan coil units that will reduce energy consumption in heating and air conditioning products.

“Our products are very high energy consumers, and this is a common problem across the sector. There are no accepted energy efficiency or environmental performance benchmarks for these types of equipment,” said Leigh Stimpson, Managing Director of Diffusion.

Diffusion plan to solve those problems through a KTP with LSBU. They aim to develop innovative energy efficient products, as well as energy and environmental benchmarks to ensure that the company’s products are accepted on to the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme.

“This project requires expertise in different technical areas such as fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, heat transfer and fan design among others, and the company doesn’t have specialist expertise in-house. This expertise is available at LSBU,” said Professor John Missenden, LSBU Lead Academic on the project.

Business: Technical consultants in renewable energy fields

Project: To develop software to become the principal source of knowledge and expertise for developers and planners in the use of sustainable energy sources.

New planning regulations have forced developers to reduce carbon emissions from energy in new developments. ECSC (Energy Centre for Sustainable Communities) has developed the ‘C-Plan,’ a tool that will help to address this problem, with the help of a KTP programme with LSBU.

“C-Plan is a web-based service that enables developers and their consultants to identify low and zero carbon technologies best suited for their developments and ensure their buildings comply with energy policies,” explained KTP Associate Princess Ogumka.

C-Plan also provides authorities and developers with tools for checking, tracking, reporting and monitoring the carbon impacts of new buildings. “C-Plan enables developers and planners

to meet the challenges of responding to climate change and carbon reduction in an easy and efficient way,” commented Aidan Dunsdon, former KTP Associate and now Product Development Manager at ECSC.

LSBU Professor Tony Day, Academic Supervisor of the project added: “During the project we experienced working with the Greater London Authority, and this helped the company to understand the requirements of the planners. We also provided knowledge from the consultant and design point of view, so we were able to bring those aspects together. We believe this is a truly groundbreaking project, and we have disseminated the solid results in China and the USA.” The system has already been adopted by authorities such as Woking Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council. “Although we’ve only been using C-Plan for a short time, it has already become a vital tool in implementing new policies to tackle climate change,” said Peter Kerr, Chief Development Plan and Transportation Officer of Three Rivers District Council.

EnErgy and EnvironMEnT

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ABS Consulting Business: Strategic consultancy services within the building industry.Project: To develop a technical service for building managers to analyse and benchmark Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in energy efficiency and the environmental impact of commercial buildings. Acturis Business: Software service provider for the insurance industryProjects: To develop new software systems for improving client data transfers and provide an interactive system linking brokers with insurers. Alara WholefoodsBusiness: Speciality supplier of organic muesli cereals.Project: To develop packaging and factory processes to reduce waste and energy use and environmental impact.

ASP PackagingBusiness: Producer of packaging films, primarily for the food industry.Projects: To research and develop new packaging technologies and integrated production planning systems.

Blues Clothing Business: Designer and manufacturer of children’s clothing.Project: To develop and implement a data mining system coupled with a customer relationship management system to support forecasting and strategic planning.

BSRIABusiness: Consultancy and research services in construction and building.Project: To develop new technical standards and a certification scheme for analysing the permeability of construction products and air tightness in the construction of new buildings.

Carbon DescentBusiness: Consultants in the sustainable use and supply of energy.Project: To develop new energy modelling software to assist with the energy certification of buildings.

CMPi Business: Media company specialising in the construction, property, architecture and travel industry.Project: To develop a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) benchmarking service for current major clients, to support their strategic decision-making in the customer services field

ECSCBusiness: Technical consultants in renewable energy fieldsProject: To develop a software tool to measure, monitor and report on the carbon impact of new developments

Energy & Power ConsultantsBusiness: Technical consultants in energy and powerProject: To develop knowledge and expertise for smaller scale sustainable development.

Diffusion (Energy Technique)Business: Manufacturer of heating and cooling productsProject: To design and develop new air curtains and fan coil units that will reduce energy consumption in heating and air conditioning products.

EurotalkBusiness: Developer of language learning productsProjects: 1) To develop a method for delivering language content to mobile devices. 2) To develop a new e-commerce system.

Forfars BakersBusiness: Producer of baked goods.Project: To design and embed quality systems within the factory and shops, and implement new product research and trials with customer feed back.

Fulcrum ConsultingBusiness: Consulting Engineers specialising in the built environmentProject: To develop an expertise base in the field of ground coupled thermal technology for the storage of heat using underground resources.

GMJ Design Business: Producer of computer animated images for the architectural and property industriesProject: To develop new software tools for 3D computer modelling of city streets and buildings.

IDCBusiness: Provider of design consultancy services for product manufacturersProjects: 1) To design, manufacture and test a novel, autonomous, solar powered jet-pump refrigerator for vaccine storage applications. 2) To develop a methodology and tools that enable IDC to design and develop more sustainable products.

IONBusiness: Educational charity providing advanced education on nutritionProject: To create an IT system to establish a web-based international, distance-learning version of courses in Nutritional Therapy and Optimum Nutrition.

IORBusiness: Independent Organisation for refrigeration and air conditioning professionals. Project: To develop new products and services for members to achieve reduction of refrigerant leakage.

Jellyfish PicturesBusiness: Specialists in computer animation and visual effects for the film and television industries. Project: To develop an integrated project management environment facilitating the scheduling, production, resource allocation and financial planning for the production of visual effects, animation and motion graphics assets.

CUrrEnT KTP ProJECTS and ParTnErS

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CUrrEnT KTP ProJECTS and ParTnErS

Locke Carey & Associates Business: Provider of planning and design services for building fire safetyProject: To develop a computer-based tool for the assessment and/or design of structurally-based fire protection in buildings based on the behaviour of materials and heat transfer analysis in fire.

Long & PartnersBusiness: Building services engineering companyProject: To develop a financial and engineering software tool that evaluates optimal cost of achieving mandatory carbon emission reduction.

Metafour UKBusiness: Provider of software services for the courier and travel industriesProjects: 1) To develop world class software products for the courier and travel markets. 2) To develop a leading edge technical semi-automated help desk system that offers24-hour client services world wide.

Paper Round Business: Office recycling companyProject: To develop CARBON SMART - a unique carbon saving-offsetting service for SME offices.

Parsons Brinckerhoff Business: Provider of infrastructure services for the transport industryProject: To develop, test and implement novel cooling strategies for underground railways.

Paye Stonework & Restoration Business: Specialist repairer of historic buildingsProject: To develop a novel ice particle system for cleaning historic buildings, replacing damaging chemical alternatives.

Preuveneers Business: Law firm providing IT advice in the legal communityProject: To develop software systems that will allow law firms to share documents with clients in a secure online environment.

RipmaxBusiness: Manufacturer and distributor of radio controlled models.Project: To develop an e-commerce system and a software-based customer relationship management system.

Simmons BakersBusiness: Manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of bread and baked goods.Projects: To develop new and healthy baked products, and re-engineer manufacturing and distribution systems to improve operating efficiencies and margins.

Snacks Unlimited Business: Manufacturer of savoury snacks Project: To develop new processing technologies and create the next generation of healthy, low-fat snacks

SoundcraftBusiness: Manufacturer, distributor and installer of architectural doors and bespoke joinery for the construction industryProject: To manage the transition from traditional bespoke workshop joinery to product-specific manufacture including development, planning and new IT systems.

Sound Research LaboratoriesBusiness: Acoustics consultancy providing technical solutions for buildings.Project: To design and develop culturally acceptable products and techniques for the mitigation of noise exposure for classical musicians.

Telent Technology ServicesBusiness: Provider of infrastructure in telecommunications and transportationProjects: 1) To develop a measurement and prediction system to deliver new world-class speech intelligibility systems in underground environments. 2) To develop, test and implement a system to optimise the use of advanced digital CCTV cameras in mass transit structures.

West Sussex NHS Primary Care TrustBusiness: Health care provider for the local communityProject: To develop a knowledge management strategy including a tool-kit for strategic interventions and to maintain corporate intelligence.

Centre for Knowledge TransferHead of Centre: Nathan BurgessProject Manager: Barbara EllisProject Manager: Andrew Sirs-DaviesFinance Officer: Florence AnkomahMarketing Officer: Davida JefferyAdministrator: Shirley Nicholson

Telephone: 020 7815 6922Facsimile: 020 7815 6915Email: [email protected]: www.ktp-lsbu.co.uk

All partnerships received financial support from the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programmes (KTP). KTP aims to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base. KTP is funded by Technology Strategy Board along with the other Government funding organisations.

Production Credits:

Writers: Barbara EllisJuliana LadinoDavida Jeffery

Design:Naked Creativity, London

This report covers the year 1st August 2007 - 31st July 2008

©2008 Centre for Knowledge Transfer, London South Bank University

CENTRE FOR KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

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Page 16: Centre for Knowledge Transfer - Annual Review 2008

Centre for Knowledge TransferLondon South Bank University

90 London RoadLondon SE1 6LN

Telephone: 020 7815 6922Facsimile: 020 7815 6915Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ktp-lsbu.co.uk