RGU DePict Brochure
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Transcript of RGU DePict Brochure
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dePICT
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RobertGordonUniversityplaysanintegralroleintheknowledgeandinnovationsupplychaintobusiness.WeencourageandfacilitatethisexchangethroughprojectslikedePICT.
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anagent forchange
Knowledgeisthemostimportantelementthatenablesfirmstoenhancetheir
innovationandtechnologicalcapabilityandUniversitiesaretheprimarygenerators
andrepositoriesofknowledgeinoursociety.Aswecontinuetogrowour
knowledgeeconomytheexchangeofknowledgebetweenthesetwoorganisations
hasbecomevital.Neverbeforehastherebeenagreaterneedforconstant
innovationinproductandservicedevelopment.Thecreation,disseminationand
applicationofknowledgestimulatesinnovation,disruptsindustriesandimpactson
ourglobalcompetitiveness.
RobertGordonUniversityplaysanintegralroleintheknowledgeandinnovation
supplychaintobusiness.Weencourageandfacilitatethisexchangethrough
projectslikedePICT.Theircontinuedsuccesshasledtothedevelopmentofnew
ICTproductsandservices,assistedinthegrowthofScottishcompaniesand
createdjobs.Ouruniversityiscommittedtosupportingbusiness–university
collaborationsingeneratingthewealththatisnecessaryforahealthyand
prosperoussociety.
Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski,
B.A.,LL.B.,Ph.D.,MRIA
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Theprojecthasactedasamajorcatalystfornew,innovativeResearch&Development.Thecollaborativenetworkhasfosteredandpromotednewandinnovativeresearch
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long-term collaboration
The aim of the dePICT (developing the ICT business
base) project is to establish a new long-term collaboration
between the Joint Research Institute for Computational
Systems (JRIcs) and SMEs in the North East of Scotland,
Highlands and Lowlands.
The project has acted as a major catalyst for new
innovative Research & Development. The collaborative
network has fostered and promoted new and innovative
research, which has resulted resulted in new and improved
products with increased marketability, greater flexibility and
a route to global exploitation.
This brochure highlights a small sample of the successful
collaborations that have taken place during the projects first
two years.
Professor Patrik O’Brian Holt –
Director of dePICT and
Research Professor at RGU
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product research & development
DO YOU WANT TO...Growyourbusiness?
Enhanceyourproductportfolio?
Createnewproductsfornewcustomers?
Moveintonewmarkets?
dePICTisanRobertGordonUniversityledinitiativetosupportbusinessesintheir
ICTproductresearchanddevelopment.
Wecanconnectyouwithexpertsfromthreemajoruniversitiesinareassuchas
•Mobileapplications
•Cloudcomputing
•Datamodelling
•Humancomputerinteraction
•ArtificialIntelligence
WewillworkcloselywithinnovativeSMEstoundertakeinitialfeasibilitystudies
leadingtofurtherR&Dfundingopportunities.
dePICTisanRGUledinitiativetosupportbusinessesintheirICTproductresearchanddevelopment.
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Theactivitiescarriedoutinthisfeasibilitystudyandtheproposedfunctionalrequirementspecificationscreatedabasisforfurtherworkthathasstartedasafollow-upKnowledgeTransferPartnershipproject
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computational intelligence
VIPER SUBSEA TECHNOLOGIESViper Subsea has extensive experience in dealing with subsea production systems
and specialise in control and distribution equipment.
THE CHALLENGE
Viper Subsea was interested in enhancing their capabilities and functionality of
subsea control systems using intelligent data analysis. The inaccessibility of hardware
comprising subsea production control systems, in particular HIPPS barrier valves,
makes pro-active monitoring and effective equipment maintenance of high practical
importance. Improving the timelines and efficiency of logged data analysis can
yield substantial cost savings for the operator by enabling a subsea intervention in
controlled circumstances.
SOLUTION“RGU have a wealth of expertise in the area of computational intelligence that can
be used in the area of computer-assisted fault diagnosis – but we needed to gain a
better understanding of the context - so during the dePICT project two members
of RGU staff underwent training in subsea control systems organised and
delivered by Viper Subsea Technologies. The course was extremely informative
and helpful in terms of highlighting the relevant knowledge, standard approaches
and practices currently adopted in the field of subsea control engineering. The
information obtained during the course was used to effectively complete this
specific project.”
Andrei Petrovski, Lecturer, School of Computing, RGU
“The activities carried out in this feasibility study and the proposed functional
requirement specifications created a basis for further work that has started as
a follow-up Knowledge Transfer Partnership project (partially funded by the
Technology Transfer Board) between ourselves and Robert Gordon University,
with a KT Associate being employed to develop a novel diagnostic fault analysis
tool in-house under the supervision of RGU staff.”
Jeremy Edwards, Director, Viper Subsea Technologies
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WorkingwithGordonthroughthedePICTprojectenabledGigletstotapintoapplicationexpertisetocarryoutsomeexploratorytechnicalworkintheareaofanimationinePublishingplatforms
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app design & development
GIGLETSGiglets Media Limited writes, illustrates and publishes its own children’s e-books.
It aims to create a series of innovative software products that will enable the stories to
be accessed via different media platforms, primarily through a computer applet.
The company aims to produce a suite of software products that are simple,
compelling and user-friendly, aimed at children.
THE CHALLENGE
Giglets wanted to launch a number of enhanced eBooks, which can run on a
multitude of operating systems like Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), Google’s
Android and Windows mobile operating system. The company were looking to
e-publish a number of illustrated books and wished to animate elements embedded
within the eBooks – for example a barking dog, a creaking door, a boiling kettle.
The study, which tapped into RGU’s expertise in mobile application design and
development (primarily for iOS), was to investigate the feasibility of creating simple
animated elements within an eBook.
SOLUTION“We researched the ePub formatting regulations to see if there were any
programming tools available that would allow us to insert animated gif files into
an ePub format file. Several different software packages were used but we were
unable to produce the level of animation required due to file size. We achieved
some success in developing for the iPad and produced a small prototype which
demonstrated the size of file and format of the files that could achieve animation
within an eBook. Giglets took these recommendations on the structure and format
of the files to support their continued development.”
Gordon Eccleston, Senior Lecturer, School of Computing, RGU
“Working with Gordon through the dePICT project enabled Giglets to tap into
application expertise to carry out some exploratory technical work in the area
of animation in ePublishing platforms. This engagement helped accelerate our
product development and we have now launched five titles under our SmartReads
brand which are one of the world’s first enhanced eBooks available.”
Dr Karsten Karcher Chairman,Giglets Ltd
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RGUhasawealthofexpertise,particularlyintheareasofschedulingandresourceallocation,linkingtothepriorworkonmodellingandsolvingdistributedresourceallocationproblemsthatwebroughttobearonthisproject
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a wealth of expertise
RAMCO TUBULAR SERVICES
Ramco Tubular Services is the industry leader in the care and maintenance of tubular
goods and linepipe. They provide the Oil & Gas industry with services such as
descaling, coating, storage and logistics facilities.
THE CHALLENGEDue to their continued expansion Ramco required a new web-based tube tracking
system to replace the existing spreadsheet system.
The proposed new system would be more robust whilst offering all the benefits of a
modern database, have an interface that eases and minimises data entry by staff, and
allows integration with existing Ramco SQL-based applications.
SOLUTION
“RGU has a wealth of expertise, particularly in the areas of scheduling and
resource allocation, linking to the prior work on modelling and solving distributed
resource allocation problems that we brought to bear on this project. We worked
with Andrew and his team during our feasibility study and delivered a specification
document that identified both the functional and non-functional requirements of
the proposed system and outlined its potential benefits.”
Hatem Ahriz , RGU Lecturer,
MSc Information Engineering / IT Management Route Leader
“We wanted a new product that would provide a pipe “history” from the time of
its arrival at the yard, through our servicing of the pipe, to the eventual disposal at
the end of its useful life. It would enable our clients to monitor the status of their
orders or run their own customised reports.”
Andrew Nicholson, Logistics Manger, Ramco Tubular Services
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WorkingwithChrisatRGUhastransformedourbusiness.Oure-learningsolutionoffersaflexibleplatformtodeliverthecoursematerialandmakeitmoreaccessibletoawiderpopulation
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e-learning solutions
BABYGURUS LIMITED
Baby Gurus Limited offer training, education and advice to women, men and
employers during pregnancy, maternity leave and the returning to work phase.
The company, run by business partners Emma Thomson and Sonya Murray, was
established in 2006, to provide expert advice and services through consultancy
and seminars.
THE CHALLENGE
In response to the growing business and changing customers needs BabyGurus
wanted to explore programme delivery via a bespoke e-learning solution through a
mobile web application. This would enable the business to diversify their delivery,
reshape their business model and grow their market.
SOLUTION“In order to fully understand the type of content which would be present in
the mobile web application, an analysis of the current Baby Gurus content was
required. I initially set up a Business Hosting account and then used Wordpress
as a framework that is primarily used to create blogs and is also used as a content
management system. I provided BabyGurus with video recorded instructions on
how to populate the pre-agreed categories with data content. They then used
these videos to gain expertise in populating and maintaining the mobile web
application.”
Chris Young, RGU e-learning technologist
“Working with Chris at RGU has transformed our business. Our e-learning
solution offers a flexible platform to deliver the course material and make it
more accessible to a wider population. We can now target individuals as well as
the corporate market. In addition it allows us to support programme delivery to
disparate workforces.”
Emma Thomson and Sonya Murray, Directors, BabyGurus
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dePICTwasanidealplatformforustoreviewoursoftwareproject,gettingthebenefitofacademicexpertisefromRGUtocompareourownthinkinginlinewithcuttingedgedevelopments
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cutting edge developments
eSAVE
eSAVE are independent energy, environmental and communications consultants
based in Inverness, providing consultancy to non-domestic organisations on
managing their energy costs and energy consumption, carbon management
programmes and environmental impacts.
THE CHALLENGE
In 2010 to drive efficiencies and present a new product eSAVE commissioned a
new bespoke application. With 50% complete they required a comprehensive
review of their software product, taking into account the system architecture and its
performance in both the online and desktop variances. It was anticipated that the
review would inform the continued phased development of the product.
SOLUTION
“WML has ambitious plans to take advantage of the increasing drive towards
reducing energy use and carbon generation across all industries. This was
hampered by their increasingly frustrated attempts to develop suitable software
products. Through the dePICT project we addressed their project management
and development processes and have been successful in winning a KTP award to
develop ground-breaking, cloud-based software to fuel their plans. Using a rule-
based engine and innovative data visualisation techniques, the project will provide
a platform for the company to add value to their current offerings and also tackle
new environmentally significant areas, such as waste management.”
Dave McKay, Lecturer, School of Computing, RGU
“dePict was an ideal platform for us to review our software project, getting the
benefit of academic expertise from RGU to compare with our own thinking in line
with cutting edge developments. The knowledge transferred to the business from
our academic link also came with a high level of recent commercial experience,
which made it even more valuable. As a result of the dePict project, we are now
exploring previously unforeseen opportunities to take our project further.”
Neil Watson, Director, eSave
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leadingedgethinkingandtechnology
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“The academic vaults are full of undiscovered treasure. The problem is that
often there is a significant gap between having the leading edge thinking
and technology that is developed in the lab and having the business
relationships, acumen, resources and investment to realise this wealth.
That’s where projects such as dePICT are vital.
They help companies to learn what is possible, discover new
technologies, explore new revenue opportunities, and receive funding for
innovation. They can be the key to unlock the vault.”
Steve Harrison, Project Manager at Scottish Enterprise
“We actively support and encourage Knowledge Exchange through a
range of funding streams and projects. Our objective is to deliver easy
access for businesses, including SMEs, to the knowledge, expertise,
facilities and services of universities.
Knowledge Exchange activities are designed to promote economic
growth and help to translate the world class expertise within the Scottish
research base into innovation for business - leading to economic prosperity
through the development of new and improved products and through the
creation of new jobs.”
Paul Hagan, Director of Research and Innovation at the
Scottish Funding Council
knowledge exchange
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contact emailIfyouareinterestedinacceleratingyourproduct
ResearchandDevelopmentcontact:[email protected]
PARTNERS
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