Case Studies

The Project

Summary

After an extensive and thorough tendering and qualifying process NORIBIC decided that Biznet Solutions was the only company to work with them ondelivering their online business and collaboration tool subsequently called ClusterNet. Biznet's task was to develop a tool that would provide dedicated broadband enabled desktop cluster facilitation with associated collaboration tools. This tool would be utilised to support cluster activities and cluster management in adesignated WIN region.

Biznet rose to the challenge and ClusterNet was delivered. ClusterNet is now an online web-based desktop that integrates a range of communication, information and management tools. It provides businesses with focused informationpersonalised to their individual sectors, identifies relevant commercial opportunities as well as potential partners for joint projects.

Member businesses and institutions can conduct online meetings, execute joint tender applications, identify suitable partner businesses, develop new business opportunities and resource critical sector information from within a unified desktop. ClusterNet consequently increases business agility and accelerates criticalinitiatives.

The Situation

NORIBIC required the development of a custom-built web application that would provide dedicated broadband enabled desktop cluster facilitation withassociated collaboration tools. The tool would be utilised to support clusteractivities and cluster management in a designated WIN region comprising of the counties of L\Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh.

The tool was to be developed under the auspice of three organisations:Cross-Border BIC, NORIBIC and WestBIC within the cluster developmentprogramme in ICT, Construction Products, Engineering & Digital Media.

All organisations extensive experience in cluster development highlightedaccessibility as the greatest factor negatively impacting companies' ability toparticipate. The ability to travel regularly to Network/Forum/Cluster meetings was a common difficulty, which was further compounded as the groups expand intoadditional regions.

The Challenge

The Challenge for Biznet was to deliver an online business tool to aid cluster members to align resources, energy and focus towards shared goals andobjectives no matter where they were located. Hence, ClusterNet integrates and aggregates focussed,relevant information and opportunities with communication and promotional tools to advance cluster businesses productivity,
promotion and revenue.

The Solution

ClusterNet is an online web-based desktop thatintegrates a range of communication, information and management tools. It provides businesses with focused information personalised to their individual sectors; identifies relevant commercial
opportunities as well as potential partners to joint projects andprovides the means to execute those opportunities.

ClusterNet was developed, in part, as a comprehensive online cluster communications system. Member businesses andinstitutions can conduct onlinemeetings, execute joint tender applications, identify suitable partner businesses, develop new business opportunities and resource critical sector information within a unified desktop to increase business agility and accelerate critical initiatives.

Tools Include:

• Anywhere, anytime cluster member access to information and activities of common interest within cluster groups
• Online meetings, meeting-replays, discussion groups and opportunities forums to enable cluster participants to engage remotely at the time and location of their choosing
• Member profile and search facilities to enable member-to-member business and joint project activities
• Joint tender partners auto-matching to project requirements Interactive audio-visual, whiteboard, discussion, and presentation tools
• Video-conferencing, Remote Meeting & Meeting Replay
• Cluster & member-level profiling to deliver only opportunities of interest Personalised industry-specific delivery for maximum relevant and focussed information
• Provide cluster members with information, opportunity and the means to take advantage of that opportunity
  The Business Benefits

Since the initial deployment of ClusterNet nearly 3,000 Companies have registered within a Cluster and have begun sourcing new trading opportunities andcollaborating with other companies on jointopportunities.