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Oxford Networks Examines Next Steps for Information and Communication Technology

November 21, 2003

An Oxford Networks seminar was held on 11 November on the topic of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Oxfordshire. John Leighfield, chairman of the Oxford Networks' working group described the purpose as being to "address issues to make ICT more effective and to determine what the inhibitors are, to making ICT in Oxford and Oxfordshire more successful."

Four speakers addressed an audience of around 60 Oxfordshire ICT entrepreneurs and policy makers. Adrian Wooster, of Oxfordshire Rural Broadband (ORB), spoke of the problems involved in getting "last-mile" broadband to the county's rural areas. He explained how many villages, originally proud of having an exchange to themselves, are now finding that their exchanges are too small for BT to enable for Broadband. He went on to discuss how ORB is working with many of these communities to enable their areas and to personalise broadband in order to gain the most from it locally.

Lorraine Lockhart, MD of Solution 7, a web application development specialist, discussed the frustrations encountered by small businesses when pursuing public sector contracts. As a small company, Solution 7 found itself hampered by assumptions that the company could not handle the work even though it had proved it's success with similar projects. "Our experience suggests that it is impossible for a small company to win business in the public sector," she said, "and that the experiences of Solution 7 are the experiences of many small businesses."

Professor Malcolm McDonald of the Cranfield School of Management stressed the importance of knowing your market and in taking a collaborative approach to business. "Today, the name of the game is managing a complete supply chain," he explained as he addressed the question of how small companies can gain international success.

"There is no difference between collaborating with a University and collaborating with another business," Jim Davies of the Oxford University Computing Laboratory said. "What is most important is that you understand and communicate both your needs and theirs."

Three workshops groups generated suggestions that could help to ensure the continued success of the sector. The first group focused on the next steps in science and technology and recommended that SMEs be given more access to research organisations. They suggested the formation of a list that would capture the research projects underway in Oxfordshire and who is performing them. At the same time, they found that it would be beneficial for SMEs to publish their technical needs so that some common ground could be found.

The second workshop group on "Opportunities for ICT SMEs in the UK and Beyond" stressed the importance of collaboration between government and industry and the need for a stronger marketing of Oxford and Oxfordshire as a place for ICT.

The third workshop focused on the need for an on-going forum for discussion between ICT businesses, Government and providers of broadband.

Information from the seminar and from research carried out by The Oxford Trust will be compiled in a report to be published early next year.

Oxford Centre For Innovation