InfoTextX

Welcome to the October 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.

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. Associate companies can now edit their profiles online, subject to approval.

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.

Lancaster Communications Ltd

Lancaster Communications Limited provide a service tailored to the demands of business, the health service, education and industry alike. A specialist in the design, installation and management of cabling projects (regardless of the size or complexity) the company prides itself on a reputation for the highest quality work.

Apparatus

Apparatus started in March 2002 following the directors' nine years experience as heads of marketing and design at Selfridges. They design logos, corporate identities, brochures, leaflets, websites, videos, direct mail, wayfinding and signage, point of sale material, and visual merchandising. They back it up with strategic marketing, brand building, creative thinking and copywriting.

Plum Communications Limited

Plum Communications established in 1998 have an office on the Fylde Coast and in Oldham. They provide a full range of services for businesses including telephone lines, broadband, telephone systems, Voice Over IP, mobile handsets and data, routers, firewalls, unified communications, conferencing and CCTV.

Graduate Academy Project Praised

One of the recent projects by the InfoLab21 Graduate Academy (IGA) was highly praised in the September Cumbria Business Gazette. The project was a free website for the Lakeland Businesswomen's Network. They provide support and subsidised training to female owner/managers based in the Lake District.

More information on getting free support from the InfoLab21 Graduate Academy

Jo Vincent Glass Design - Featured IGA Project

Jo Vincent Glass Design specialises in making decorative and architectural glass pieces for both commercial and private customers. It is based on the edge of the Lake District has clients nationwide. The IGA implemented an online CRM database enabling the company to develop closer customer relations. Assistance was free to the company, fully funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

"Very good service, fast turnaround. Provided lots more help than could have imagined. Knowledge was amazing!" Jo Vincent.

'Apprentice' Contestant at ICT Cluster Group

Adam Hosker, a contestant on Sir Alan Sugar's "The Apprentice", shared experiences and ideas on effective sales at two recent ICT Cluster meetings. ICT Cluster groups have been set up in Lancaster, Blackpool and Fylde, Preston, East Lancashire and West Lancashire. The aim of the clusters is to strengthen the digital and new media sector of the Lancashire Economy.

Girls Get Set for Science at InfoLab21

Girls from ethnic minority communities across Lancashire visited InfoLab21 last week. As part of an initiative run by Setpoint Lancashire, around 42 year 8 and 9 pupils visited the University to take part in science and technology workshops in Computing, Engineering and Communication Systems.

NASA Joins Lancaster In Pioneering Space Workshop

A team from Lancaster University joined academics from NASA and the British Antarctic Survey at the first ever international workshop on solar wind streams. Organiser Dr. Mick Denton, from the Department of Communication Systems at InfoLab21, has been invited to visit Los Alamos National Laboratory next summer.

£20,000 'Unipreneur' Student Business Award

The growing number of students starting up their own business whilst studying at university is to be recognised by new Awards called The Unipreneurs. The new Awards will showcase some of the most innovative new business ideas that are emerging from the 'unipreneurs', either whilst still at university or within two years of graduating - with £20,000 for the best one.

ICT Focus Doubles Intake From NW Businesses

ICT Focus welcomed 60 new students onto their Foundation Degree programme this week. There was a 100% increase since 2006 in enrolments from businesses in the NW region. The Foundation Degree programme envelopes six different certificates in Systems and Network Engineering and can be taken independently or used towards a related degree.

ICT focus are currently taking enrollments for courses over the coming months and certified courses starting in January 2008.

IEEE SenseApp 2007

Thursday 18th October 2007, 0800-1730
Clontarf Castle, Dublin, Ireland

Dr. Utz Roedig from InfoLab21 is co-chairing the programme for SenseApp 2007, the Second IEEE International Workshop on Practical Issues in Building Sensor Network Applications. The workshop aims at bringing together researchers from academia and industry to showcase their work and obtain feedback.

EuroSSC 2007

23-25 October 2007
Castle Green Hotel, Kendal, Cumbria

The 2nd European Conference on Smart Sensing and Context, will be held in Kendal. The annual conference provides a forum in which to present research results in all areas related to the design, implementation, application and evaluation of smart surroundings involving networked embedded sensing systems and intelligent objects.

Business Opportunities from LU Management School

Financial Management

Don't miss you chance to tap into Finacial Management resources such as Accounting and Auditing, Internal Financial Control and Budgeting, Management Control Systems and Financial Statement Analysis.

Marketing

More fresh* Marketing courses are available on Tuesday’s: 6th, 13th and 20th November, 8.30 am – 4.30 pm at Lancaster University Management School (6th) and Lancaster House Hotel (13th and 20th).

Regional Business Question Time

16 October 2007, 18:00 - 20:00
The Reebok Stadium, Bolton

Chamber of Commerce Event

A limited number of places are available for businesses, budding entrepreneurs (and journalists) to join a handpicked audience at a "BBC Question Time" styled event. The event will be hosted by TV Presenter and Journalist Rob McLaughlin and panel members include Digby Jones - Minister of State for Trade Promotion and Investment, and Janet Street-Porter.

Postal Strike

For latest updates of postal strikes go to: