A Proven Recipe for Success
Date published: 21st March 2004
An Ipswich-based company, A Recipe for Success (ARFS), is just completing a highly successful software development project with the Department of Computer Science at the University of Essex and can't wait to start another one.
ARFS was established four years ago, and now employs 18 people with a turnover in excess of £500,000. Its income is derived from the delivery of sophisticated, yet easy to use, e-business solutions for SME, Corporate, and Government organisations. It is just completing a collaborative project with the university and this has proven to be so successful that it is about to start another one. The projects, formerly known as TCS, but recently rebranded as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, can run from 1 year up to 3 years. The company gets a graduate who works for them full time, at least 25 days per year of specialist consultancy by a senior academic and financial assistance with typically 60% of the cost being met by a government grant.
Stephen Tang, the Essex graduate on the project, works with the ARFS team, but also liaises closely with his supervisor, Dr Norbert Voelker, who is a lecturer at Essex, ensuring that the latest academic developments can be brought into and exploited by ARFS. Additionally, the connection with the University of Essex has widened ARFS's contacts and increased its credibility. For example, as a result of the connection, it is likely to win a major new contract with the East of England Tourist Board, and is playing a key role in the 'IP City' initiative, which links Ipswich into other technology 'hot spots'.
Managing director, Jeff Hume, said "I can't believe more companies don't run TCS projects. Ours has been a wholly positive experience, which has got better with time. There have been a lot of spin-off benefits, and I wish we had started it sooner. I'm really looking forward to starting the next project with the university".
The university's business development manager, Dr James Callaghan, added that "this has been a really great project both for the company and the university. It gives us great satisfaction to see our expertise and knowledge being transferred into companies in the region and for it to have such a positive impact."
For more information on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and how they can help your business see Essex University or contact James Callaghan on 01206 874896 or email: jamesc@essex.ac.uk
ARFS was established four years ago, and now employs 18 people with a turnover in excess of £500,000. Its income is derived from the delivery of sophisticated, yet easy to use, e-business solutions for SME, Corporate, and Government organisations. It is just completing a collaborative project with the university and this has proven to be so successful that it is about to start another one. The projects, formerly known as TCS, but recently rebranded as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, can run from 1 year up to 3 years. The company gets a graduate who works for them full time, at least 25 days per year of specialist consultancy by a senior academic and financial assistance with typically 60% of the cost being met by a government grant.
Stephen Tang, the Essex graduate on the project, works with the ARFS team, but also liaises closely with his supervisor, Dr Norbert Voelker, who is a lecturer at Essex, ensuring that the latest academic developments can be brought into and exploited by ARFS. Additionally, the connection with the University of Essex has widened ARFS's contacts and increased its credibility. For example, as a result of the connection, it is likely to win a major new contract with the East of England Tourist Board, and is playing a key role in the 'IP City' initiative, which links Ipswich into other technology 'hot spots'.
Managing director, Jeff Hume, said "I can't believe more companies don't run TCS projects. Ours has been a wholly positive experience, which has got better with time. There have been a lot of spin-off benefits, and I wish we had started it sooner. I'm really looking forward to starting the next project with the university".
The university's business development manager, Dr James Callaghan, added that "this has been a really great project both for the company and the university. It gives us great satisfaction to see our expertise and knowledge being transferred into companies in the region and for it to have such a positive impact."
For more information on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and how they can help your business see Essex University or contact James Callaghan on 01206 874896 or email: jamesc@essex.ac.uk
Tel: 0845 8 409933