InfoTextX

Welcome to the July issue of InfoTextX – the e-newsletter from the Knowledge Business Centre at InfoLab21, keeping you informed about developments inside InfoLab21 and other news which we hope will be of interest to you. To subscribe or contribute news items to InfoTextX and our website, please contact the editor – Sarah Maginness - at s.maginness@lancaster.ac.uk.

Funding Extended for ICT Business Support

InfoLab21 has received an extension to the Knowledge Economy Initiative, which offers funded ICT support to eligible SMEs (Small to Mediumsized Enterprises). Support includes websites, Information Security, E-Commerce solutions, Wireless technology and ICT Appraisals. The project has been extended to June 2008.

To find out whether you are eligible for help from any of our projects please contact Colin McLaughlin or Nick King on 01524 510443/7.

Join IT! New Associate Company Profiles

Here are the latest companies to join InfoLab21's Associate Company Scheme and have a web profile on our website. This section of the website provides Associate Companies with the opportunity to include a 120 word profile about their company, including corporate logos and a link to their site. This provides E-Marketing benefits due to the prominence of the InfoLab21 site on the web. We would value your contributions. Associate Companies can submit their profile online.

Find out more about our Join IT opportunities and how you can join with InfoLab21 to take your technology further.

Stephen Musgrave Consulting

Stephen Musgrave Consulting is an independent IT consultancy working in the UK, and globally, to deliver innovative research and consultancy services. They offer vendor independent advice, helping organisations take advantage of new technologies through alignment of technology to strategy.

Penrillian

Penrillian are passionate about bringing innovative technologies and applications to life on mobile devices. They work with the latest technologies and mobile devices and with some of the most forward thinking companies in the world.

Furness Internet

Furness Internet work with businesses as a long term IT partner. Their function is to enable the outsourcing of as much of a business' IT function as needed. At Furness Internet each person specialise in specific disciplines and work as a team to deliver requirements as efficiently as possible.

The Paper Cup Company

The Paper Cup Company, with thirty years of experience in the disposables market, can advise you on the best product to meet your needs, as experts in their field, they have a wealth of knowledge to draw on. They will advise you on how to maximize your sales with the right product, and how to use bespoke printing to increase your sales.

Business Travel Plus

Business Travel Plus is ranked at number 43 in the Top 100 UK travel management companies, and is regarded as one of the UK's leading independents. They deliver a high touch, cost effective, total management service that works in close partnership with clients to deliver a timely, professional and expert approach to integrating their corporate travel requirements.

 

Innovation Exchange Event a Success

The Knowledge Business Centre (KBC) at InfoLab21 would like to thank all the presenters and visitors who came to the first Innovation Exchange event on June 14th. Steve Riches, Director of the KBC said; "We had a lot of interest on the day from the private sector and some collaborations were discussed during the event. All attendees were very impressed with the content and quality of the academic presentations and would like to see such an event happen again in the future."

If you attended the event and would like to discuss any follow up activity, please contact Colin McLaughlin or Nick King on 01524 510443/7.

InfoLab21 Students Win European Nokia Innovation Final

InfoLab21 mobile developers Will Bamford and Tamas Vajk, who is on a four month scholarship, have won the European Final of the Nokia 2007 Mobile Innovation Competition with their Tiltracer application. The prizes were awarded at the Forum Nokia Tech Days held in Budapest, Hungary, on June 6-8.

Will and Tamas previously won the U.K leg of the competition and went on to compete with mobile developers from FInland, Denmark and Hungary. The finalsist had beaten 80 teams across Europe to get to the final stage.

Commercialising Research Competition

The search is on for 'would be' entrepreneurs who want to turn their research ideas into a successful business. The Research Councils UK (RCUK) third Business Plan Competition has been launched and aims to provide the skills, knowledge and support needed to develop a first-rate business plan for researchers with commercially viable ideas. All competitors will get business training and mentoring along the way and the winning team will also receive a cash prize to further their business idea. Last year's winners from Warwick recived a prize of £25,000.

£50,000 Opportunity For Disabled Entrepreneurs

One of the UK's leading entrepreneurs, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and Leonard Cheshire, the UK's largest disability charity, are looking for a disabled entrepreneur who has shown that the barriers placed in the way of disabled people have not stopped them in their quest for success in business.

The winning entrepreneur will be presented with a cheque for £50,000 at the British Chamber of Commerce's prestigious Chamber Awards ceremony to be held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London on Thursday 29th November.

Apply Now For BBC Dragons' Den

The BBC are currently taking applications for the fifth series of Dragons' Den. The programme gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their innovative business ideas to 5 multi-millionaire investors who choose whether or not to invest in the idea presented.

If you are interested in taking an idea further and need advice about starting a business, the university's Lancaster Business Creation project can offer assistance. Contact Jon Powell on 01524 594137.

Training at ICT Focus

Become a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) 3rd - 7th September 2007
This 5-day CEH course differs from most security courses in that it teaches how to defend network & systems against hacking by studying in depth at how hackers work. Rather than focusing on security audits, the course gives plenty of hands-on experience of attacking systems. By immersing the delegates in the tools and tricks of the “hacking” trade, they learn how to secure their systems & networks against them.

The course is aimed at security auditors, IT security professionals, systems administrators or anyone who is concerned about the integrity of the network infrastructure. Delegates should be experienced systems/network administrators (MCSE or equivalent with an understanding of network technologies & protocols).
Special offer to associated InfoLab21 Companies £1,850.00 ( normally £2,000.00) No VAT payable. Price includes official CEH exam voucher.

Enrolling now for Foundation Degree Courses (starting October 2007)
We run six Lancaster University- certificated courses, all of which support ICT professionals working in a systems administration or network engineering role in a networked environment. These courses can be combined and used together to achieve a Foundation Degree in Systems or Networking.

To discuss either course call ICT Focus on 01524 510425

Extra LEAD Preview Days From LU Management School

Due to the demand for places, the Management School have added another two additional preview sessions for the LEAD programme:

9th August - 11am-12pm

29th August - 11am-12pm

If you would like to book a place or require further information on the preview days or on how the LEAD programme can help your business, please contact  the LEAD team.

Women-Owned Business Opportunities

Fusion is the first UK conference and exhibition on women business owners in Science, Engineering, Construction and Technology (SECT). This event aims to open doors to new market opportunities for female business owners in the SECT industries and inform corporate and Government procurers on how their supply chain can benefit from untapped talent. The event is in Birmingham on 13th July. There will be speakers, workshops and discussions.