Mansfield-based Video Domain Technologies (VDT) Direct Limited has been working with experts at the University of Leicester during the development of the software, which has been dubbed ‘WebEye CMS’.
WebEye is said to be “the first and only software of its kind”, and allows for mobile security officers to monitor remote sites and receive video alarms while they’re on the move.
The development of this pioneering software represents the first in-house researched and developed new product for VDT, transforming the company from a distributor and reseller of other people’s goods and enhancing its marketing and sales functions.
As a result of the collaboration, VDT’s turnover has increased by 40%. The company is now taking on extra staff and considering the export of products to the American market. VDT anticipates a further 60%-80% growth in turnover next year.
Fundamental changes promised for mobile and static guarding
Hosted on the World Wide Web cloud infrastructure and readily accessible to many different cable suppliers, WebEye CMS promises to revolutionise the mobile and static guarding industry. It requires no other hardware except for a 3G-enabled phone, tablet or PC and can access video intrusion alarms live and as they happen.
Over 15 months, the University of Leicester’s support for VDT grew from an industry secondment to a Masters (MSc) project and, most recently, a graduate internship through Innovation Partnerships project.
Now, a dedicated Knowledge Transfer Partnership is expected to follow.
Managing director of VDT, Clive Mason, heard about the support available from the University of Leicester through his growth consultant.
Mason commented: “I was looking for help to move my company forward in a software environment and to have intellectual property rights on an idea that I thought would have a commercial potential. The collaboration with the University of Leicester has made a huge difference to the company.”
Expanding on that last statement, Mason asserted: “First, we worked at a technical level, sending our employee – a graduate we had employed – to the University of Leicester for knowledge transfer in some very technical areas where we didn’t have the skills to produce the software. As a result, our employee developed a commercial piece of software that went to market a few weeks ago.”
Customer feedback already encouraging
Customer feedback has already been highly encouraging, and VDT has begun to make money from the product.
Mason added: “The most valuable thing we gained from the University of Leicester is knowledge. We’ve also gained more business and more profit, but knowledge is the most important thing. I would recommend other firms to work with the University of Leicester because this country needs to keep high level, highly skilled people in the UK to benefit UK industry and help keep this country ahead of other countries in the world.”
The collaboration between VDT and the University of Leicester is one which has been of benefit to all participants.
Sophie Mason, who is the Innovation Partnership Graduate Intern in charge of marketing and sales at VDT, learned a great deal about the transferability of her own skills as a journalist graduate, as well as more technical information related to the products with which she was working.
Her experience on the internship has now helped her to take on a full-time job with the company.
“I would encourage other recently qualified graduates to think about internships because you really get a chance to get your foot in the door somewhere,” enthused Mason, “and you can learn a lot from business people and academic staff to develop yourself and become more employable.”
Anjuu Trevedi, director of innovation partnerships and head of regional business engagement at the University of Leicester, said: “It has been a real pleasure to work with and support VDT Direct. They knew from the start what they wanted to achieve but didn’t have the skills in-house to do so.”
He continued: “I have been very impressed with the company from Day One. They were passionate about supporting their employee to gain new skills and in growing the business. Their desire and commitment to grow and innovate has been very contagious. VDT is a good example of what can be achieved through partnerships working with the University of Leicester. I wish them continued success and look forward to collaborating with them long into the future.”
More information on Video Domain Technologies Direct Limited and WebEye CMS is available from the company’s website
Details of the different types of business support the University of Leicester can offer can be found online
About ERDF on a national basis
The ERDF Programme aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by supporting regional economic development. The ERDF objectives for England are:
- promoting innovation and knowledge transfer
- stimulating enterprise and supporting successful business
- ensuring sustainable development, production and consumption
- building sustainable communities
- improving accessibility and connectivity (for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly only as part of their Convergence Programme)
A Programme Monitoring Committee consisting of regional stakeholders such as Government offices, RDAs, regional assemblies, local authorities, sub-regional partnerships, Higher Education institutions, Trade Unions and the private and voluntary sectors will monitor and oversee programme implementation in each region.
For more information on ERDF funding generally, visit this Internet page
About ERDF in the East Midlands
The East Midlands is eligible for euro 268.5 million between 2007 and 2013 which, when combined with match funding, provides a programme value of approximately euro 537 million (a significant investment in the economic development of the region).
The East Midlands qualifies as a competitiveness and employment region under the EU’s Cohesion Policy, which aims to meet the EU Lisbon objective to become ‘the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social inclusion.’
The East Midlands Development Agency is responsible for the programme management and delivery of the region’s 2007-13 ERDF Competitiveness Programme. The responsibility for ERDF programme management was transferred from the Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM) to the EMDA following a decision by the UK Government to seek greater alignment between ERDF and regional strategies and funding streams.
The 2007-13 ERDF Programme is therefore set firmly within the framework of the Regional Economic Strategy.
A Programme Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Regional Director of Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM), guides the strategic direction of the programme and works closely with the EMDA.