Top ICT award for University project

IT Futures, an IT solutions and training provider based at the University, won the Best Knowledge Transfer Project award at a ceremony at the National Motorcycle Museum last night (November 10).

It is the second year in a row that IT Futures has been recognised at the ICT Excellence Awards, after last year clinching the award for Best Added Value Project for e-Business Adoption.

Diana Thompson, Business Director at IT Futures, said: “It is a very prestigious award and we are delighted to win this against some strong competition from other top universities.

“It is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of our staff at IT Futures, and recognition for the excellent work we do for small and medium sized enterprises.”

Professor Ian Oakes, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise, added: “We are delighted to win an award which reflects the key role played by the University of Wolverhampton in helping businesses implement new and exciting innovations in their products.”

To win the award, IT Futures submitted an example of a successful knowledge transfer project with Wolverhampton-based company SomervilleSCAN Ltd. This 3D technologies company wanted to use the latest technology to enhance accessibility in the use of signs for blind and partially sighted people.

IT Futures assisted by demonstrating the integration of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology with innovative tactile signage. This allows electronic communication between the sign and a user’s mobile phone which enables blind and partially sighted people to navigate around a large building. The transfer of technological knowledge between IT Futures and SomervilleSCAN Ltd now means that the use of RFID in tactile maps could be extended for use in museums or hospitals.

Since its launch in 2003, IT Futures has been at the forefront of assisting small businesses with knowledge transfer. It enables businesses to tap into knowledge and expertise that they may not otherwise have had access to.

Led by Garry Homer, Professor of Technology Transfer at the University, IT Futures brings together the skills of staff and research knowledge from the School of Computing and Information Technology. The project has assisted over 400 businesses to date helping them make the transition into new technologies and enhance their knowledge of emerging technologies.

The ICT Excellence Awards are organised by the ICT Cluster. The Best Knowledge Transfer Project award was sponsored by the Technology Strategy Board.

Further information

For more information please contact Vickie Woodward in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736