Silicon Fen shorts: MTN selects Cambridge Broadband; Ubisense enters retail; new EEDA appointments
Among developments in the Cambridge High Tech Cluster this week were:
The MTN Group, Africa's leading cellular operator, chose Cambridge Broadband Networks as a preferred supplier for backhaul infrastructure. Cambridge Broadband Networks' VectaStar point-to-multipoint wireless transmission platform has already been commercially deployed by MTN's operating companies in Cameroon and Rwanda, and network planning is at advanced stages in other countries.
With operations in 21 countries throughout Africa and the Middle East, the MTN Group has more than 54 million subscribers. Currently, MTN is using VectaStar to backhaul traffic from its 2G, WiMAX and 3G networks, as well as providing broadband Internet access services to businesses.
Intelligentz Corporation and Ubisense partnered to deliver a revolutionary solution for retail stores. The CartMotion product combines Ubisense’s precise real-time location system (RTLS) with Intelligentz’s analytical engine. The data provided on consumer behaviour, conversion rate and asset management enables retailers to improve sales conversion, productivity and customer service.
For the first time in the retail industry, CartMotion provides data to both retailers and manufacturers. The system delivers detailed data on consumers’ shopping behaviours throughout the retail environment including: consumer shopping patterns, wait times, traffic counts by category, time spent in each category, retail conversion rates and asset management. The Ubisense sensors are discreetly positioned around the store perimeter and once installed may be employed to also track other items as the need arises.
Change in guidance for nebulisers has created a new testing regime for anyone developing new products. Melbourn Scientific, the first UK contract laboratory to offer performance testing using the Copley Breath Simulator BRS1000, has seen an increase in international demand for testing of liquid preparations designed for nebulisation.
Mark Hammond, Business Development Director said the interest was stimulated by very specific guidance from the European Pharmacopoeia. "Nebulisers, in which the patient inhales a constant stream of particles, are popular as they provide a very quick way to introduce a drug into the body. The recent changes mean that formulations now need to be assessed on a breath simulating pump for total-active-delivered and active-substance-delivery rate according to the Ph. Eur., in addition to particle/droplet size and distribution."
There were three appointments to the management board of the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). Beverley Hurley and Stuart Evans representing the Business Sector and Marco Cereste representing Local Authorities will take up their three-year appointments in mid-December.
Marco Cereste is coming to the end of his second term as an EEDA Business Board Member. He has built a diverse group of family business operating in the UK and Italy that he now chairs. Marco was elected for a second time earlier this year to the Peterborough Council after a five year gap. He has also worked in the NHS for 22 years and is Chair of the Peterborough Primary Care NHS Trust and Anglia Support Partnership. He has held office as chair, treasurer and secretary of the local branch of the Conservative Party.
Stuart Evans is an entrepreneur and Chartered Director. He was the founding CEO of Plastic Logic Ltd, a successful University of Cambridge spin out that has won £75m investment in potentially world-changing plastic electronics technology, initially for flexible displays in electronic books and newspapers.
Beverly Hurley started out in social housing and regeneration in inner city London. She established two businesses prior to joining YTKO, a consultancy specialising in the commercialisation of science and technology innovation, becoming CEO in 1999.
Cametrics, the software consultancy, said that ixPressia, its software products division, has reached a major milestone. The first licensees of ixPressia’s Print Engine Software have manufactured their industrial inkjet printers using ixPressia Print Engine and are shipping them in volume.
The ixPressia Print Engine software enables inkjet printer manufacturers to drive printers with any printhead type, number and configuration, without having to develop new software each time they design a new printer.
23rd November 2007
