InfoTextX

Welcome to the February 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.

Join IT! New Associate Company Profiles

Here are the latest companies to submit their profile online to our Associate Company Scheme section of the website and take advantage of the eMarketing benefits of having a weblink from the InfoLab21 site:

New Branch

New Branch offers access to finance in its many forms, and also has close links with other industries that can help start ups and existing businesses improve their bottom line. The staff at New Branch have lots to offer with many years experience in running a business and working in blue chip companies.

SearchQuest UK Ltd

Set up in August 2000 SearchQuest UK has successfully established itself as an Internet marketing consultant/website design studio with a consistent and auspicious track record. They offer a broad range of services ranging from website design options through to content management systems.

Technology Matters

Wednesday 9th April 4pm-7pm (venue to be confirmed)

The next Technology Matters event will move from its usual time and place to combine with the Lancaster ICT Cluster Group. The provisional agenda includes a presentation from CEEC, (the University's Centre for Employability, Enterprise and Careers) and a talk on Podcasting from MERIT, an ICT User Group.

For more information about the 5 regional ICT Cluster Groups please follow the link below.

Escendency Boosts Teesside's Strategy

InfoLab21 resident company Escendency are about to roll out their Performance Management System for Teesside University Enterprise Centre. Preparation has been smooth-running and has already had a positive effect.

Carbon Footprinting for SMEs

Thursday 13th March 2008, 12:30-16:30

There has been a lot of hype recently over carbon footprints, but what role do they play in the smaller business market? The aim of this event is for SMEs to increase their competitiveness and add value to their business by understanding the significance of carbon management, through the use of bespoke tools and techniques. A carbon footprint tool will be available to take away with you at the end of the day.

One Planet Festival in Lancaster

Thursday 9th - Sunday 12th October 2008

Logo competition

InfoLab21 resident company Escendency, one of the Partner Organisations of the 2008 One Planet Festival are holding a competition to design a logo for the event. The deadline is 15 March 2008.

Get involved

They are also keen to hear from any interested stakeholders, potential sponsors or companies, including University research projects or start-up companies working in the field of sustainability, who would like to be involved with the festival or feature in the one day Sustainability Exposition which is being held at the town hall on Saturday the 11th October.

ICT Focus: Training Opportunities

Due to a demand from the companies in InfoLab21, ICT Focus are offering the following course next month on Small Business Servers:

MS2395: Designing Deploying and Managing a Network Solution for the Small and Medium-sized Business

3 days 4th–6th March: £450 (less 10% discount forInfoLab21 Associate Companies)

Other upcoming courses include Vista, Windows Server 2008, & VMware.

Business Support Showcase Event

The Christmas event was a huge success and feedback from clients and the departments across campus has been extremely positive. More opportunities to find out about Business Support opportunities are coming soon, please see below:

Lancaster University Business Support Night

27th February 2008, 17:30- 19:30, Lancaster University Management School, Lecture Theatre 2,

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce have arranged an opportunity for businesses to network and view the various business support offerings available across the University.  There is a wealth of support for small to medium sized enterprises at the University and this is a great way of getting to know how the various support projects can help your business.

Business Advice Night 08

Tuesday 11th March 2008 4pm - 7pm, Roeburn Suite, Block D, Lancaster and Morecambe College

Lancaster City Council are holding a drop-in event to provide information about the wide range of business support available in the local area. Many organisations will be present including Business Link NW, Enterprise4all NW, Lancaster District Chamber of Commerce, Lancaster University, North Lancs Enterprise Ltd, Rosebud Finance from Lancashire, County Developments Ltd and the University of Cumbria.

Northwest Women in Business Awards

The search is on for the best female-led business in the Northwest. The brand new Northwest Women in Business Awards will bring together women behind some of the region's most innovative and successful companies. The deadline for entries is Thursday 28 February 2008. A special Awards presentation lunch will be held on Thursday 27 March 2008 at Haydock Park Racecourse. The event is free to attend.

Graduate Academy: Case Studies

The InfoLab21 Graduate Academy (IGA) have had more glowing testimonials back from their clients which have been included in our IGA mini-case studies. If your business has benefited from an IGA project which you would like to see included in our case studies please contact Sarah Maginness.

NEMO Features on BBC Online

The Computing Department's Dr. Gerd Kortuem and colleagues were quoted on the BBC News Website February 5th, talking about their NEMO project that combines smart tags and personal identifiers to keep an eye on people working on construction sites using heavy machine tools.

InfoLab21 Department Open Days

Department open days are an opportunity for prospective undergraduate students to meet the staff, check out departmental facilities and have a look round the university.

Communication Systems: Wednesday 20th February 2008, 1300-1700 and Saturday 23rd February 2008, 1300-1700, InfoLab21

Computing: Saturday 16th February, Wednesday 20th February, Wednesday 12th March