Centre for Knowledge Transfer Bridging the gap between academia & business
www.centreforknowledgetransfer.co.uk
Knowledge Transfer at London South Bank University
Introduction to Knowledge Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Creative Industries, Media and Design
Key20 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Love Film, Love Business Faber Music. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Fighting the illegal download battle Industrial Design Consultancy (IDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Design Innovation
Health, Social Care and Wellbeing
The Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The healthy way to learn NHS West Sussex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Finding the right information, at the right time, for the right decision The Altitude Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Fitness from thin air
Social Enterprise, Not For Profit and Charities
Altzheimer’s Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Making the lives of dementia sufferers easier, everyday! Daycare Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 New income opportunities for childcare charity Action on Hearing Loss and RNIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Understanding the impact of specialist social care
Business, IT and Communications
EuroTalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Giving countries all over the world a new voice Ripmax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Big Boys’ Toys! Metafour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Innovation in travel and courier software
Energy, Environment and Sustainability
Building Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Making energy use visible Self Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Assessing the best energy options Fulcrum Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 UK’s first aquifer thermal energy storage system
Manufacturing, Engineering, Electronics and Materials
Sound Research Laboratories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 What’s the best way to reduce over-exposure to noise for musicians? Telent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Loud speakers you can’t hear? Wire Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Heavy demand and heavy competition
Building Services Engineering and Construction
Parsons Brinckerhoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 The London Underground has never looked cooler Long and Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Be Lean, Be Clean and Be Green TEAM (Energy Auditing Agency) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Easy to use, no fuss energy monitoring software
Food Manufacture and Technology
Snacks Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Food for thought Ashbury Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 What does your lunch tell you? La Fornaia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Speciality bread manufacturer rises to success
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Welcome from the Editor Welcome to the Centre for Knowledge Transfer at London South Bank University. We are pleased to share with you a selection of some of our research and development projects that demonstrate our commitment to applied, practical solutions for business. We pride ourselves on being leaders when it comes to Knowledge Transfer and are experts in indentifying the needs of business. Today, it is more important than ever that universities focus on innovative and creative solutions, whilst maintaining their position as pioneers of original knowledge. LSBU has four faculties which each house specialist areas of expertise that work in close collaboration with the business world. We have extensive experience supporting organisations across industry. Whether organisations are private, public, large or small, if they are seeking insight and innovative solutions or searching for the brightest talent, we can help. With the reassurance of technical excellence and thoughtful practical solutions we pride ourselves on getting the best results every time. Our focus is ultimately helping organisations develop and grow. We are currently working with numerous organisations which are improving company efficiency whilst simultaneously developing new products or systems. If you are interested in exploring your business idea then please do get in touch with the Centre for Knowledge Transfer team who will be happy to hear from you.
Davida Jeffery Editor T 020 7815 6922 E knowledgetransfer@lsbu.ac.uk W centreforknowledgetransfer.co.uk
Knowledge Transfer at LSBU
London’s enterprising university The Centre for Knowledge Transfer is part of LSBU. LSBU is one of the capital’s largest and oldest universities with a diverse multicultural population of some 23,500 students and over 2000 staff. LSBU has four faculties, and over twenty departments giving you some indication of the wealth and scope of knowledge contained at LSBU which can all be plugged into your business. LSBU delivers education that is in tune with the needs of business and society and is committed to meeting the needs of London. The University runs a wide variety of Knowledge Transfer projects and frequently utilises the national scheme, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP). We have developed a truly enterprising approach across the university and have, over many years, developed an impressive Knowledge Transfer portfolio helping businesses harness the latest research, development and technologies expertise and embed it in their respective organisations. Today LSBU is a leading knowledge base partner with our academic team working in applied Research and Development at the interface between academia and business.
What’s involved?
Types of programme
A Knowledge Transfer project with LSBU is a partnership between us and your business. These collaborative projects enable direct access to our wealth of expertise and are designed to improve business productivity and encourage growth and development.
These are infinitely variable and designed to produce research and development which is of benefit to your organisation. Examples of projects include:
The partnerships centre around either a commercial or more research focused development programme identified by the partner organisation. A high quality, motivated graduate or post graduate Associate will undertake this agreed programme of activity relevant to your priorities and objectives. The aim is then to apply the results within the organisation to deliver tangible results.
• Improving existing or developing new products or technology • Developing the company expertise base • Introducing new technology or developing new services • Researching aspects of the market, impacts, value or organisational development • Investigating social and economic impacts and developing metrics • Behavioural studies and research • Research into health, wellbeing and social care elements
Am I eligible?
Interested?
Small, medium and large companies are all eligible to apply, as well as charities, not for profit organisations, social enterprises, and public sector organisations. An application can be made providing you are an established business and able to afford your share of the costs.
We work with organisations spanning across all industry, charity and social enterprise areas and plug in academic expertise from a wide range of disciplines. If you have a project in mind for your company that you would like to talk to us about in more detail please do give us a ring and we will be happy to discuss your ideas with you. Our website is full of fascinating case studies about projects we are working on at the moment. To see what businesses in your industry are up to check out the relevant KT Projects page on our website:
All Partnerships received financial support from the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programmes (KTP). KTP aims to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better
centreforknowledgetransfer.co.uk
use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base. KTP is funded by Technology Strategy Board along with other Government funding organisations.
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Our industry partners • Key20 Media • CMPi • Faber Music • Jellyfish Pictures • Media Tel • RDC Foley Cooke • IDC Industrial Design Consultancy • GMJ Design • Key20 Media • CMPi
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Creative Industries, Media and Design Arts and Creative Media • Graphics and Design • Imaging and Graphics Development • 3D Modelling • Digital Media • Animation • Product Design • Computer and Video Games • Digital Photography • Media Writing • Performance Management • Film and Television • Media and Cultural Studies • Arts Management • Sonic Media • Digital Media Arts
Love Film,
Love Business
Considerable demand for webhosted video presented Key20 Media with a need for a new business strategy, to develop a corporate film production capability, set to be the biggest income generator for the entire business. The project with LSBU has enabled Key20 to significantly reduce costs through less reliance on 3rd party suppliers, increasing investment in the business, ensuring better quality control and giving them the opportunity to become even more competitive. “We used to outsource all post-production which meant less creativity and flexibility. Without the help from LSBU we wouldn’t have had the knowledge, money or facilities to bring this all in house,” said Associate Philipp Figueroa. Paul Richards, Managing Director at Key20 Media said “our business is on
“This project has given us the knowledge and resources we didn’t have before.”
the edge of creating a momentum that will take us into significant growth. At the moment we are a £3 million business, in the next 3 years we are expecting to be a £25 million business. This project has given us the knowledge and resources we didn’t have before.” LSBU academics Gordon Kerr and Jenny Owen have provided the company with the expertise, confidence and support to take on a further collaborative project to create a digital development department within the company, focusing on new techniques to improve engagement with Key20 clients’ film content. “This project has set a precedent for offering more services inhouse, including filming, post-
production and directing. Our aim is to become an autonomous business. This collaboration is an example of a project that embraces the true essence of knowledge transfer,” said Philipp.
“One of the main problems that we face is that there are a number of extremely large websites that give sheet music that is protected by copyright away free. This is illegal and the quality is poor,” explained Sarah Holcroft, Head of Digital at Faber Music. The new ‘E-Partners scheme’ has enabled 3rd party website vendors to sell sheet music downloads legally. Associate Riccardo Zanella has launched 47 E-Partner stores. “These partners wanted to be able to sell their content but don’t have the capability, knowledge or technology to do so. Faber can now offer them that,” said Riccardo. The E-Partners scheme has provided an effective, commercially viable solution that will not only create a big splash in the world of music publishing but also solve a very prominent social and political problem. Professor Shushma Patel at LSBU has been the academic working on this project.
“With a KTP our vision was achieved.”
Design innovation Two successful Knowledge Transfer projects with Industrial Design Consultancy, IDC have meant the company can offer high-tech renewable energy products and can now compete at the cutting edge of their technology niche. Their first project introduced a pioneering new product set to be the ‘coolest’ new invention in the refrigeration market. A solar powered jet pump refrigerator has been designed, manufactured, tested and automated and is ready to take the market by storm. “Traditionally solar powered products use expensive photovoltaic technology to generate electricity. The jet-pump refrigerator that we have developed employs solar-thermal energy, which can be collected using low-cost panels that require no maintenance. The system is therefore both environmentally friendly and affordable,” commented Ryan Fenton, Associate. This revolutionary product has also provided a new revenue stream for the company. “IDC owns some of the Intellectual Property for the system and so the technology can be licensed to provide on-going income through royalties and commercialisation,” reports Stephen Knowles, Managing Director of IDC. IDC’s second project tackled by Associate Luke Robbins was centred around developing a methodology and tools that enabled IDC to design and develop more
sustainable products that not only benefit the company but also their clients and the wider community. The LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) Calculator considers the entire life cycle of a product. The knowledge derived from the LCA calculator is used to make decisions on how to improve products for reduced environmental impacts, as well as producing goods that cost less to manufacture. “We needed a product that would guide our clients through the vast, daunting and often conflicting array of information available, and which would enable them to produce products with improved commercial, environmental and social impact.” commented Stephen Knowles.
Our industry partners • Key20 Media • CMPi • Faber Music • Jellyfish Pictures • Media Tel • RDC Foley Cooke • IDC Industrial Design Consultancy • GMJ Design • Key20 Media • CMPi
Fighting the illegal download battle
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Our industry partners • Altitude Centre • Institute for Optimum Nutrition • NHS West Sussex • Our industry partners • Altitude Centre • Institute for Optimum Nutrition • NHS West Sussex
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Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Nursing • Occupational Therapy and Assistive Technology • Health Research Methods, Processes and Assessment • Sports, Physical Activity and Wellbeing Research • Health Literacy and Inequalities • Clinical Risk Assessment • Patient Care and Interaction • Health Care Ethics • Health Care Informatics • Workforce Development and Planning • Vocational Education and Training • Social Policies and Equal Opportunity • Mental Health • Children’s Health • Midwifery
The healthy way to learn Looking after our health and learning about nutrition is increasingly important to many, but gaining access to this information can be tricky. The Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION) brought nutritional information to the masses using an all-inclusive virtual learning system developed with help from the academic experts at LSBU. “The old style of teaching was essentially class room based, restricting students to only those that could travel to the Institute” reported Chris Peat, Associate at ION. “The new system has enabled students to learn from home through a streamlined presentation lecture accessible
through a flash player; anyone, anywhere in the world can do it.” Added content such as DVDs and information for mobile handsets were also introduced thanks to Chris’s ingenuity and technical expertise. ION now have the capability embedded to digitally record scientific experiments, and create short video clips for promotional videos. In addition, Chris re-worked the company’s website to be more user friendly and has analysed the dataflow and database systems currently in use at ION. The project was in fact so successful that ION embarked on a second project to develop and launch new
commercial nutritional advisory services. A central database has been created that enables a clear and more precise understanding of all ION customers and members. “The idea of the database is to enable us to gather information on our customers and bring it all together for easy access from one place,” commented Laksh Ranganathan, Associate. “Our operations are now more streamlined. We can spend more time doing what we want to do… we have a much bigger interactive presence so people can talk to us in many different ways,” said Peter Szabo, ION Business Manager.
Significant time resources were being wasted in locating and reformatting critical information. Associate Jon Avalon and LSBU academic Professor Vic Lane have dramatically improved the efficiency and effectiveness of staff time at NHS West Sussex. “By working with LSBU we managed to maintain corporate intelligence and established a knowledge management infrastructure that allows managers to understand, manage and use knowledge in making strategic decisions for community health,” reported Dr Peter Hayward, Assistant Director of Public Health. In the last decade information growth has been astronomical as
volume of content continues to increase. Correct and appropriate use of this knowledge bank is essential for strategic interventions in areas where medical resources are both expensive and limited. “The new system is used as a way of identifying knowledge sources which can be used to make a strong evidence base for clinical decision making. Staff can use this as a one-stop-shop to answer their questions. It identifies skills sets both within the organisation and externally,” said Jon. “It has allowed us to bring more timely and accurate evidence to bear, making a real impact on the quality of what we produce,” commented Peter.
Fitness from thin air “People are always looking for the next best thing, how they can be fitter, faster, stronger and healthier” says Associate Rachel Turner. The importance of preacclimatisation before going to altitude is now recognised as something that will directly improve athletes’ performance.
The Altitude Centre provide their clients with a chamber that produces air similar to what you will find at real altitude. There are different types of training you can do, either inside the chamber or with a machine (hypoxicator).“What we do is effectively mechanically deliver a mountain to the user,” commented Richard Pullan, Director at The Altitude Centre. Previously, for athletes to reap the benefits of altitude training,
they have had to train at real altitude involving regular travel to mountainous regions. These long periods of high altitude can cause real problems. “Part of my work is to establish strategies of optimum altitude in order to individualise each programme, so that we can investigate how different people are affected by altitude and how we can best match their training intensity to the altitudes we prescribe,” explained Rachel. The human performance team at LSBU have enabled The Centre to develop the scientific research that backs up the protocols and training they prescribe to individuals. Jo Bowtell, lead academic on this project said, “We are starting to generate high quality data that will be used to develop evidence based hypoxic training protocols.”
Our industry partners • Altitude Centre • Institute for Optimum Nutrition • NHS West Sussex • Our industry partners • Altitude Centre • Institute for Optimum Nutrition • NHS West Sussex
Finding the right information, at the right time, for the right decision
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Our industry partners • Daycare Trust • Action on Hearing Loss • RNIB • Alzheimer’s Trading • Age UK • ODI Overseas Development Institute • Our industry partners • Age UK • RNIB
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Social Enterprise, Not For Profit and Charities Charity Management • Charity Marketing and Fundraising • Enterprise Computing • Charity Accounting and Finance • Public and Voluntary Administration • Social and Policy Research • Non Profit Philanthropy • Non Profit Management • Social Service Planning
Making the lives of dementia sufferers
easier, every day!
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading care and research charity for people with dementia and those that care for them. One of the Alzheimer’s Society Group objectives is to improve the lives of the 465,000 people living with dementia and they are doing this with the help of a Knowledge Transfer project with LSBU. “Our project is to develop, test and launch a range of assistive technology products that will make the lives of dementia suffers and their carers easier. Our new selection of daily living aids range from simple devices such as jar openers to more complex items such as devices that orient people regarding the time of the day,” explained Associate Carla Madrilejo. In addition to expanding their product range, Alzheimer’s are also creating a Product Guidelines Tool so that in the future Alzheimer’s will be able to test and recommend products to manufactures and suppliers to make sure they are suitable for people with dementia. “We applied for this project with LSBU because this was a new area for us and we wanted to take an evidence based approach to developing these new products,
we did not just want to be another supplier,” said Susan Sharp, CEO of Alzheimer’s Trading Ltd. “The next part of this project involves having a licensing agreement and kite mark scheme that will enable companies that want to use our logo, name etc to pay us a licence fee. The kite mark scheme means we can say products have been ‘assessed, recommended or tested’ by Alzheimer’s Society.” “In the next five years I see Alzheimer’s as leaders in Assistive Technology. The project with LSBU will leave us with a legacy of research and knowledge that we can use to take this organisation forward,” said Susan.
Walkiria Moura, Occupational Therapy academic at LSBU said “It is an amazing and inspiring learning experience for all of us; we are acquiring business know-how from our partners, while providing them with a wide range of expertise and support. We aim to deliver the expected outcomes and, in parallel, assist our business partner to further their skills and expertise in relation to assistive technology and dementia conditions.”
for childcare charity Daycare Trust, the national childcare charity that campaigns for high quality, accessible, and affordable childcare, has taken on a project with LSBU to embed a new quantitative skill-set in-house which will enable collection, modelling, analysis and evaluation of datasets to implement ongoing new business practices. Daycare Trust currently has limited quantitative research skills and capabilities in its existing staff team. “This restricts our ability to bid for work which either has a quantitative element, or which entails secondary analysis of large datasets. It also restricts our ability to undertake authoritative analysis of certain Government data,” reported Kate Groucutt Policy Director at Daycare Trust. This partnership will enable the Trust to pursue new income opportunities by offering customers a mixed methods approach that is both qualitative and quantitative, eliminating the existing knowledge gap. “This project will ensure we develop into a more dynamic and credible research unit, ultimately ensuring our position as a leading
research provider and authoritative voice on childcare issues within both the public and political spheres,” predicted Kate. Associate Ben Evans said “It is essential, now more than ever, that campaigning organisations possess well developed and holistic research capabilities. Daycare Trust will be recognized as a beacon of authoritative knowledge on childcare issues.” LSBU academics Ros Edwards and Val Gilles, who specialise in Social and Policy Research, have identified and implemented relevant software to support quantitative research activities.
“This project will ensure we develop into a more dynamic and credible research unit.”
Understanding the impact of
specialist social care A collaborative KT project with LSBU, Action on Hearing Loss (formally RNID) and RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind people) has delivered a better understanding of the outcomes and impacts of the work of these two charities. A generic model, used by both organisations, has been developed to provide metrics and KPIs to deliver improvements in social care services. “It has enabled us to monitor and deliver a better service and make a stronger case for government and funders about the kind of specialist intervention we can provide,” explains Mark Baker, Head of Social Research and Policy at Action on Hearing Loss. “We are now seeing a fundamental shift in the way we approach change and measure our impact. We were already at the forefront of impact measurement for the voluntary sector and this project takes us a huge leap forward in being able to show the value of what we do. It has allowed us to deliver real change at real value for money.” “The two year project was highly successful and highly innovative,” reflects LSBU Academic supervisor Charles Jardine.
“It has allowed us to deliver real change at real value for money.”
Our industry partners • Daycare Trust • Action on Hearing Loss • RNIB • Alzheimer’s Trading • Age UK • ODI Overseas Development Institute • Our industry partners • Age UK • RNIB
New income opportunities
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Our industry partners • Metafour • EuroTalk • Wave Technology • Service Works • Preuveneers • Finsoft • Acturis • Exony • Ripmax • Our industry partners • EuroTalk • Exony
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Business, IT and Communications Business and Operations Systems • Competitive Strategies • Data Analysis and Statistics • Marketing Strategies and Communication • Event Planning and Tourism Management • Accounting and Finance Management • Programming Language • Software Engineering and Development • Networking, Organisation and Management • Database Systems and Security • Web Technologies and Internet Systems • E-commerce • Knowledge Management • Charity Management and Finance
Giving countries all over the world a new voice 100 different languages, 40 different countries, one new website… A second KT project at interactive language learning company, EuroTalk, has meant an expansion in their web sales operations to over 40 countries, giving people all over the world the chance to learn a new language. EuroTalk were proud of being leaders in their field when CD-ROM technology was the newest thing available, but today there are countless alternatives competing for business. In this tough market, EuroTalk has a distinct advantage: a single product that can be used in lots of different languages. “A localiser engine was needed in order for us to adapt to the needs of different cultures and language structures. Customers can now make their choice of language on the first page of the site and are then led down a nice easy path to the checkout…we are now leading in this type of technology,” said Associate James Murray. The project entailed designing, developing, upgrading and implementing a multilingual
architecture template for the new website. It also meant identifying new objectives to deliver improved commercialisation of the website, including refocusing the marketing messages, search engine optimisation, expanding global reach, consumer tracking analysis and addressing piracy issues. International translation and localisation of the commercial websites has been achieved in 16 languages and cultures and the central website, after an extensive re-model, saw 100% increase in website traffic. The company also managed to secure new sales channels such as Amazon and have promoted their UTalk products to devices such as the iPhone and iPod touch. Mikko Arevuo, LSBU academic on this project said,”The project involved working on a new technology platform to deliver enhanced customer value. I was also able to observe the dynamics of innovation and related processes across the firm that I was able to use in my research into how organisations develop value adding processes and resources.”
“We are now leading in this type of technology.”
Although one of the largest distributors of radio controlled models in the UK, Ripmax could not afford to become complacent. “The market was crowded and was not expanding. We needed to up our game and work efficiently,” commented Nick Moss, Managing Director. “When our efficiency goes up, so does our profit.” Associate Yuliya Syzonenko developed Ripmax’s first tailored mobile software application for the company’s Microsoft Dynamics Ax computer system. This programme enables buyers to browse and purchase over 14,000 items online, access information on stock levels, track their orders and see their account status at any time. “The idea is to be able to communicate
with our customers 24 hours a day,” explained Yuliya. Associate, Imran Bashir built on the e-commerce platform and developed a CRM tool for the company. This tool acts as a personalised system for each customer that can analyse buying patterns, make product recommendations and order in relevant stock.
exactly what we set out to do, bridging the gap between academia and business.”
LSBU Academic Mike Scott said “this is a perfect example of knowledge transfer. We achieved
Innovation in travel
and courier software
Metafour expanded their business in the international courier and travel market as a result of a collaborative programme with LSBU. Associate Sarah Javed developed a new website enabled content management system called ‘Travelsite’ which gives Metafour’s clients complete control over their website. In addition, Associate David Ullman developed the NetCourier software, catering for mailroom, freight, next flight out and wholesale couriers, so it can be used by a much wider range of companies. “The new software has resulted in new clients and in significant increasing sales” said Mark Rogers, Managing Director of Metafour.
A second project with Associate Sui Lui was initiated to create a 24 hour help desk system enabling the company to sell and support its software overseas. The software can be modified to meet the different needs of their clients and new releases are implemented continually. These structures allow Metafour to reinvest in their software again and again while meeting the differing business needs of their clients. They now have the economy of scale which means they can provide a high level of functionality at a low cost; something the competition is not yet able to do.
“This new software has resulted in new clients and in significant increasing sales.”
Our industry partners • Metafour • EuroTalk • Wave Technology • Service Works • Preuveneers • Finsoft • Acturis • Exony • Ripmax • Our industry partners • EuroTalk • Exony
Big Boys’ Toys!
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Our industry partners • ECSC • Self Energy • Building Sustainability • Carbon Smart/Paper Round • Fulcrum First • ABS Consulting • Carbon Descent • IOR • TEAM (EAA) • ECSC
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Energy, Environment and Sustainability Combined Heat and Power Systems • Renewable Energy Systems • Energy Efficiency and Sustainability • Building Design and Operation • Investment Appraisal For Sustainable Technologies • Renewable Energy In Buildings • Low and Zero Carbon Technologies • Carbon Footprinting • Energy Monitoring and Targeting • Energy Supply and Conservation • Feasibility Studies
Making energy use visible In order to meet its ambitious growth targets, energy consultancy company, Building Sustainability have developed a ground breaking software tool that is the prime product in driving new business from the UK’s top companies. The ‘Making Energy Visible dashboard system’ (MEVD) has been developed in collaboration with LSBU to help organisations’ manage their energy consumption more effectively. With growing demand from companies that have signed up to the Department of Energy’s Carbon Reduction Commitment, the management and measurement of energy use in the workplace has unsurprisingly become a top priority. Behavioural change of
building occupants towards their own energy use is paramount if deep cuts in CO2 emissions are to be achieved. A solution for a new way forward was needed urgently and Building Sustainability recognised this requirement. “The problem our customers were experiencing was that they had limited visibility of how they were consuming energy and consequently did not understand where to invest in energy reduction initiatives,” commented Christine Taylor, Director at Building Sustainability. “We have developed a unique energy dashboard which makes energy visible to everyone within the organisation and encourages energy saving behaviour.”
“We have developed a unique energy dashboard which makes energy visible to everyone within the organisation and encourages energy saving behaviour.”
Associate Estelle Jackson said “we needed to engage employees with digital signage feedback, therefore encouraging personal control and accountability. Our unique offering provides individual workers with real-time information on how their work styles and behaviour impacts the building performance.” Knowledge on building systems and how they can be designed, specified, monitored and controlled to improve energy efficiency were implemented by LSBU Professors Tony Day and Paul Brown.
energy options Self Energy is focused on allowing the owners and operators of publicly and privately owned buildings to reduce energy costs, reduce carbon emissions and increase security of energy supply. Modern buildings are extremely complex systems and many diverse factors influence the variation in heating, cooling and electrical power requirements. A project with LSBU is developing metrics that may be used at an early stage to decide if a project is technically feasible and financially viable. “Our aim is to reduce the investment risk for the company, through the development of decision support tools and to further improve cost savings and forecasts for Self Energy’s clients,” reported Associate Daniel Matson. This project is providing Self Energy with a bespoke interactive piece of
UK’s first aquifer thermal energy storage system
software that will enable project leaders to quickly determine the potential of future projects. Through streamlining the consultancy process, overheads can be reduced leading to an increased work stream and greater revenue.
Although using ground-source heat technology to heat and cool commercial and residential buildings has existed in Holland and other European countries for over 20 years, it had not been adopted in the UK.
LSBU’s energy engineering specialists Professor Tony Day and Dr Alan Dunn said “we have years of experience of how energy profiles apply in the UK, how energy characteristics in buildings vary over time, and knowledge of the design and operation of different energy systems.”
“This efficient energy source will be more widely used by building designers and architects to help reduce the negative environmental impacts of carbon consumption. Our work with LSBU was a great opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide,” Says Andrew Ford, Managing Director at Fulcrum Consulting. Associate Fuqiao Wang developed a database and map of aquifer thermal energy systems available in the UK. This invaluable map gave Fulcrum an advantage over other energy companies by showing them the exact areas within the UK where using underground aquifers is feasible. The project at Fulcrum enabled LSBU to be at the cutting edge of ground coupled energy developments. The new technology has given Fulcrum new opportunities for business and profit. “We want to be number one in the UK, and that’s what we are going to do,” Fuqiao commented.
Our industry partners • ECSC • Self Energy • Building Sustainability • Carbon Smart/Paper Round • Fulcrum First • ABS Consulting • Carbon Descent • IOR • TEAM (EAA) • ECSC
Assessing the best
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Our industry partners • Soundcraft • Wright Machinery • Wire Belt • Blues Clothing • Kenton Research • Chalmor • Cableduct • ASP Packaging • New Brunswick Scientific • BBSA
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Manufacturing, Engineering, Electronics and Materials Manufacturing Engineering • New Materials, Composites and Applications • Control Engineering • Non-destructive Testing • Operations Management • Geotechnical Engineering • Environmental Safety, Systems and Testing • Environmental Acoustics • Computer Networks Engineering • Thermal Systems, Refrigeration and Cooling • Microprocessors • Electrical and Electronic Engineering • Product Design and Manufacture • Hazardous Environment Testing and Safety • Quality Control • Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics • Robotics and Artificial Intelligence • Transport • Structural Engineering
What’s the best way to reduce over-exposure to noise for musicians?
“Musicians have been over exposed to noise and little has been done to protect them,” commented Georgia Zepidou. “New noise regulations were introduced with reduced exposure limits for employees and more recently these legislative requirements were applied to the entertainment sector, so now musicians must also be protected from noise.” Although Sound Research Laboratories were experts in noise control and architectural acoustics, they are new to health surveillance and musical acoustics. An integrated approach to providing a solution which allows young and
professional musicians to practice whilst alleviating the health and safety issues was a key part of SRL’s strategy. LSBU expert Dr Stephen Dance was aware that the existing options available to musicians were not practical as they interfered with their ability to perform. The project with LSBU has enabled SRL to utilise and extend the knowledge, expertise and models developed within the University and use this knowledge to develop business opportunities opening up new markets. The project was split into 4 phases: • First educating the musicians. • Secondly, assessment of the musicians.
• Thirdly, monitoring of their noise exposure. • Fourthly, the development of mitigating solutions. “The knowledge acquired in the first three stages of the project was used to develop new techniques that were applied to reduce the noise exposure of the students of each particular instrument,” explained Stephen. “A positive side effect of the initial work was raising musicians’ awareness of the level of noise exposure. In addition new forms of hearing protection have been developed based on newly available materials.”
Telent knows how to communicate clearly 100 London Underground Stations, 25,000 loudspeakers, 6,000 CCTV cameras, constant commuter traffic, sound testing restrictions, midnight work hours and a five-person team to design the installation. For communication support services experts Telent, completing a communications upgrade is always a challenge. With the help of a KT programme, Telent’s aim was to revolutionise the communications testing process of public address systems on the underground through the creation of the first standardised acoustic reference model for underground environments.
Associate Louis Gomez used data gathering techniques to cut down lengthy testing time on-site and has transformed the way things are done in the acoustics industry worldwide. “We have created a model that accurately predicts the sound field in underground stations,” Louis explained. “One of the benefits of this project has been to develop a new quiet way to test. A recurring problem was that the community wanted a clear address system, they didn’t want to be disturbed in the middle of the night with the testing noises,” explained Paul Dobbins, Managing Engineer at Telent.
Associate Mohamed Alsaloom was tasked with developing, testing and implementing new design rules to optimise the use of CCTV cameras. The requirement to deliver surveillance systems that utilise the latest technology and techniques but are robust and fit for purpose is fundamental to Telent. The project with LSBU has enabled Telent to obtain the strategic skills needed to develop a new product validation capabiliy.
“This project initially focuses on the London Underground network, but the business potential for Telent is huge.”
Heavy demand and heavy competition The manufacture, sale and supply of specialist conveyors used for food production is a fast growing industry where demand is high and competition is fierce. Wire conveyor belts used in the food-processing sector are primarily manufactured from a very high specification stainless steel wire that is very expensive and difficult to source. The opportunity to produce a lower cost coated material that exhibits similar properties has been exploited during a project with LSBU. Working alongside academic specialists, Wire Belt have created a step change in product performance and lowered costs of manufacturing, through improving
the wire belting product by the use of new materials and material coating combinations. The reduction in manufacturing costs by creating specialist, low cost variants to their core products, means the company will benefit from significant growth and increased profitability.
Our industry partners • Anton Paar • Turtle Mat • BBSA • Bond Display Cabinets • Cableduct • ASP Packaging • Sound Research Laboratories • Telent • Cableduct • ASP Packaging
Loudspeakers you can’t hear?
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Our industry partners • Long and Partners • Parsons Brinckerhoff • Capita Symonds • BSRIA • Locke Carey • PAYE Stonework and Restoration • Long and Partners • Parsons Brinckerhoff
Building Services Engineering and Construction Construction Management and Economics • Urban Design and Development Strategies • Commercial and Industrial Architecture • Environmental and Sustainable Futures • Post Occupancy Evaluation • Indoor Air Quality • Energy Use In Buildings • Building and Property Services • Thermal Systems, Refrigeration and Cooling • Architectural Technologies • Cost Planning and Whole Life Costing • Building and Fire Legislation
The London Underground
has never looked cooler
Transport infrastructure providers, Parsons Brinckerhoff teamed up with LSBU to establish ways of removing heat to make journeys more comfortable for passengers travelling on the London Underground. “Unfortunately you can’t simply drill a vent to cool the London Underground,” said Associate Yew Ting. “The first rule of heat transfer says that heat and energy cannot be destroyed; only transferred.” This posed a considerable challenge for Parsons Brinckerhoff but working alongside experts at LSBU meant developing a new approach to cooling the tube, despite space restrictions. Associates Yew Ting and Jolyon Thompson developed tried and tested technologies, using
pioneering research and analysis methods to try and reduce the excess heat. Jolyon’s expertise in analytical heat transfer meant he managed the modelling software side of the project. This involved some additional analysis around Hybrid Cooling, an energy storage system whereby heat is captured from the air conditioning systems and dissipated above ground. “Jolyon made a significant impact on the way we understand energy and the way we use it,” remarked Mark Gilby, company Supervisor. Yew focused on a piece of work that involved using cooling pipes in tunnels, a process that has been used successfully in other major tunnelling systems such as the Channel Tunnel. Due to the limited space in the London Underground this process
would be expensive and cause disruption due to having to close the railways down at night to install the pipes. Ting undertook a lot of numerical analysis to understand the heat transfer around cooling pipes. “As a result of Ting’s work we have a real appreciation of what a cooling pipe would look like, how good a product it needs to be and how we can apply it to the London Underground,” praised Mark. LSBU Professors Graeme Maidment and John Missenden provided their expertise in thermal engineering to this project.
Ice built whilst outside Unit located under carriage floor Heat rejected whilst outside
Ice melted and cooling delivered whilst in tunnel Ice Reservoir Condenser Refrigeration Unit
“The building industry has become a key part of the planning process in considering what the energy consumption of a building is going to be in order to get permission to build,” explained David Long, Chairman of Long and Partners. New Building Regulations under the London Spatial Development Plan have made it mandatory to consider renewable energy low cost carbon technologies in all new developments and major refurbishments.
Associate Giovanni Privetera said “The Green Wizard has allowed us to show our clients at the very initial stage of a project how different low and zero carbon technologies impact on the carbon performance of a range of buildings. Indicative results are within 10% of more detailed calculations.”
LSBU academics, Professor Tony Day and Dr Gurjeet Dhesi, provided expertise in energy reduction technologies and the ability to evaluate them comparatively on technical, economic and financial bases.
In London, planning permission will not be granted unless such provision is clearly identified and quantified. In order to achieve this, L&P, with the help of LSBU, have developed a financial and engineering software tool, Green Wizard, which automatically calculates possible costs of achieving required carbon performance of buildings.
Easy to use, no fuss energy monitoring software TEAM (Energy Auditing Agency) are specialist suppliers of monitoring and targeting software. With over 25 years experience and a successful first KT project under their belts the company thought it was time to take on a new challenge with the help of LSBU.
Associate Matthew Kidner has been tasked with delivering more effective utilisation of the current energy management software by developing improved customer usability. “Although TEAM have developed a successful suite of energy management monitoring and targeting software, used by customers to measure and audit energy use in buildings, it has been found that the operators, such as building managers and production managers, are not using all the functionalities available and are therefore failing to make use of the full potential of the tool,” says Matthew. It is key to the future success of the business that the products and services TEAM offer can ultimately deliver sustainable energy savings.
There is a strategic need to make systems more user-friendly and provide understandable energy saving recommendations so that customers act on the information provided. Making the system more user-friendly with an easier to use customer interface will make it possible to promote the system more extensively inside and outside the UK. “This project will result in a 50% increase in UK software sales and new sales in export markets,” predicts Timothy Holman, Solutions Director at TEAM.
“This project will result in a 50% increase in UK software sales and new sales in export markets.”
Our industry partners • Long and Partners • Parsons Brinckerhoff • Capita Symonds • BSRIA • Locke Carey • PAYE Stonework and Restoration • Long and Partners • Parsons Brinckerhoff
Be Lean, Be Clean and Be Green
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Our industry partners • Alara Wholefoods • Forfars Bakers • Snacks Unlimited • Simmons Bakers • Raj Foods • La Fornaia • Veetee Foods • Ashbury Training • Our industry partners
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Food Manufacture and Technology New Product Development • Recipe Re-formulation • Food Legislation and Labelling • Sensory Evaluation • Process Optimisation • Food Safety and Hygiene • Energy and Carbon Reduction • Refrigeration • Nutrition • Manufacturing Simulation and Quality Control • Management and Process Control Systems • Shelf Life Evaluation • Packaging • High Pressure Processing • Extrusion Technology
Food for Thought Savory snack manufacturer Snacks Unlimited were struggling with their product development process. It was uncoordinated and there were considerable delays in bringing new concepts to market. After a Knowledge Transfer Project with LSBU and Associate Sophie Phanor, the company saw 12 new low-fat products developed, manufactured and sold to major food retailer Weight Watchers.
Butler, Sales Director. “Our new products have accounted for 80% of the total turnover last year and this is a direct result of the project.”
products and the opportunity to develop new curriculum areas in snack foods and nutritional requirements,” remarked Ken.
“Being able to produce tasty products with only a typical 3% fat content and having the opportunity to use the Weight Watchers brand image, has given the company a strong competitive edge against rival producers,” said Sophie.
“We took on a collaborative project with LSBU in order to develop new products, and the outcomes have been brilliant; our company has doubled in size,” commented Tony
LSBU academics Dr Ken Spears and Adri Bester provided valuable expertise in food science and technology.“This project allowed us to experience ‘live’ commercial
Astonishingly, Sophie also managed to find time to help the company gain excellent grades in BRC Global Food Standards Accreditation with zero non-conformance for the second time. Sophie set up a quality control laboratory and established an in-house technical management team which enabled them to exercise quality control across production, improve operations and maintain high standards.
“We took on a KT project in order to develop new products and the outcomes have been brilliant.”
rises to success What does your lunch tell you? ”Over the last 10 years Ashbury Training have established ourselves as a provider of IT training solutions to a global audience of food technologists. Using this experience we are developing our services to include food technical and legal advice. To achieve our goals, Ashbury needed to build a team of food technologists,” says James Post, Director at Ashbury Training, “and a significant amount of food technology expertise and assistance came from LSBU.” This unique position has led to a key partnership with one of the UK’s leading food retailers who now use Ashbury Labelling to advise their suppliers on food labelling requirements from ingredients declaration to nutritional information. Associate Elvira Henry has been the driving force of this project and has managed and trained the team of food technologists in the year she has been with Ashbury. LSBU food technologist Ken Spears and marketing expert Anna Zacharewicz are working alongside Elvira and Ashbury. Ken is delivering expertise on the food technology side and Ana faces the challenge of creating a business and marketing plan for the new technical advisory business.
Winning prestigious awards, increasing turnover five-fold and out growing their custom built factory were just some of the huge successes that encouraged La Fornaia to think more dynamically about growth opportunities. When the company broke into to the speciality bread market demand was fierce for authentic, premium quality continental foods. But with the speciality bread market growing fast and client demand putting new stresses on old systems, production efficiency was at serious risk. Associate Dawn Eachus implemented an audit and
overhaul of the business’s key production components. “We needed an Associate like Dawn because we do a lot of planning and scheduling of production to meet orders coming from our various customers, all with different collection windows,” commented Terry Miller, company Manager. Project benefits were also seen at LSBU. Development of training programmes for use within the London Food Centre enabled students and staff to take advantage of industry-relevant training. Advantages towards research have also been seen in LSBU’s Test Bakery Facility.
Our industry partners • Alara Wholefoods • Forfars Bakers • Snacks Unlimited • Simmons Bakers • Raj Foods • La Fornaia • Veetee Foods • Ashbury Training • Our industry partners
Speciality bread manufacture
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Creative Media and Design Arts and Creative Media• Graphics and Design• Imaging and Graphics Development • 3d Modelling• Animation• Product Design• Computer and Video Games• Digital Photography• Media Writing• Performance Management• Digital Media• Film and Television• Media and Cultural Studies• Arts Management• Sonic Media • Digital Media Arts
Manufacturing, Engineering, Electronics and Materials Manufacturing Engineering • New Materials, Composites and Applications • Control Engineering • Non-destructive Testing • Operations Management • Geotechnical Engineering • Environmental Safety, Systems and Testing • Environmental Acoustics • Computer Networks Engineering • Thermal Systems, Refrigeration and Cooling • Microprocessors • Electrical and Electronic Engineering • Product Design and Manufacture • Hazardous Environment Testing and Safety • Quality Control • Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics • Robotics and Artificial Intelligence • Transport • Structural Engineering
Applied Sciences Biotechnology • Environmental Science • Forensic Science • Sports Science and Human Performance • Explosions and Fire • Biology and Bioscience • Chemical and Process Engineering • Petroleum Engineering • Microbiology • Human Biology • Waste and Water Engineering
Building Services, Engineering and Construction
Construction Management and Economics • Urban Design and Business, Development Strategies • Commercial and Industrial Architecture IT and • Environmental and Sustainable Futures • Post Occupancy Communications Evaluation • Indoor Air Quality • Energy Use In Buildings • Business and Operations Building and Property Services • Thermal Systems, Systems • Competitive Strategies Refrigeration and Cooling • Architectural • Data Analysis and Statistics • Technologies • Cost Planning and Whole Life Marketing Strategies and Costing • Building and Fire Communication • Event Planning Legislation and Tourism Management • Accounting and Finance Management • Programming Language • Software Engineering and Development • Networking, Organisation and Energy, Management • Database Systems Environment and and Security • Web Technologies Sustainability and Internet Systems • Combined Heat and Power Systems • E-commerce • Knowledge Renewable Energy Systems • Energy Efficiency Management • Charity and Sustainability • Building Design and Management and Operation • Investment Appraisal For Finance Sustainable Technologies • Renewable Energy In Buildings • Low and Zero Carbon Technologies • Carbon Footprinting • Feasibility Studies • Energy Monitoring and Targeting • Social Energy Supply and Conservation
Enterprise, Not For Profit and Charities
Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Nursing • Occupational Therapy and Assistive Technology • Health Research Methods, Processes and Assessment • Sports, Physical Activity and Wellbeing Research • Health Literacy and Inequalities • Clinical Risk Assessment • Patient Care and Interaction • Health Care Ethics • Health Care Informatics • Workforce Development and Planning • Vocational Education and Training • Social Policies and Equal Opportunity • Mental Health • Children’s Health • Midwifery
Expertise at London South Bank University
Charity Management • Charity Marketing and Fundraising • Enterprise Computing • Charity Accounting and Finance • Public and Voluntary Administration • Social and Policy Research • Non Profit Philanthropy • Non Profit Management • Social Service Planning
Human Sciences Educational Development and Policy • Legal Methods and Case • Management • Psychology • International Politics • Social Policy • Criminology • Investigative Forensic Psychology • Crime and Litigation • Human Rights • Clinical Psychology • Child Psychology • Sociology • Social Science
Food Manufacture and Technology New Product Development • Recipe Re-formulation • Food Legislation and Labelling • Sensory Evaluation • Process Optimisation • Food Safety and Hygiene • Energy and Carbon Reduction • Refrigeration • Nutrition • Manufacturing Simulation and Quality Control • Management and Process Control Systems • Shelf Life Evaluation • Packaging • High Pressure Processing • Extrusion Technology