1.  INTRODUCTION

  RDP is an SME which was formed in 1966 to design, manufacture and market Transducers (sensors) and Measuring Instrumentation worldwide.

  It is now a leading manufacturer in its field but its current technology has diminishing future potential.

  Development of new products using new advanced technologies is an imperative for the longer term success of the Company.

  The Company had already established contact with a University to investigate the potential of Fibre Optics and Photonics as a measuring technology for the future and it was through this contact that we learnt of the "LINK Photonics Programme".

  Development work in this area of technology can be very expensive so we decided that the "LINK" scheme would be an ideal way to get help to pursue the investigation of our ideas.

  Our application for a "LINK Photonics" grant was made very easy by the Project Co-ordinator who gave us a great deal of guidance both in the initial application and throughout the project.

2.  OBJECTIVES SURPASSED

  The main objective was to create a "photonic" measuring technique which was novel and would enable the development of intrinsically safe, medium accuracy, robust but relatively low cost transducers for the measurement of position/distance. In the event our objectives were more than met and the project has resulted in:

(a)  A number of Patents being registered.

(b)  Discovery of a novel measuring technique, with wide ranging potential, which uses a simple laser diode as the transmitter and sensor.

(c)  RDP has been introduced into a completely new field of technology which has exciting potential for the mid to long term development of the Company.

(d)  The newly qualified PhD Graduate who worked on the "LINK" project at the University has joined RDP and is currently continuing the development phase on a number of new products.

  These are obvious benefits but there are many other less definable ways that this project has succeeded.

3.  THE IMPACT OF "LINK" ON THE COMPANY

  The Company has learnt a great deal from its involvement in the "LINK Photonics" programme, for instance:

(a)  We have learnt that it is very easy to work with a University to explore new technologies and the mutual benefits can be considerable.

(b)  A great deal can be achieved for a very modest outlay—important for SMEs who sometimes find it difficult to generate and retain sufficient funds for research and development.

(c)  A mutually beneficial and possibly permanent relationship has been cemented between RDP and the University, thus making available a wealth of knowledge in many fields of technology and science.

(d)  The Company is now seriously involved in the final development of novel products in a new and more advanced technology, ie Photonics and Fibre Optic sensing.

(e)  RDP continues to fund PhD students at the University so that the joint research can continue on a mutually beneficial basis.

(f)  Our involvement with the advanced academic world has immensely improved the whole ethos of RDP's development laboratory.

4.  COULD WE HAVE GAINED MORE FROM "LINK"?

  We cannot say that there were any barriers preventing RDP gaining from the relationship engendered by the "LINK Photonics" project, although its success obviously relies upon the mutual determination of both parties.

  Given this determination there is absolutely no reason why this LINK scheme, for bringing together academic and industrial parties, should not succeed and provide substantial benefits for all parties.

  It was our experience that help was readily available from DTI staff when required and the whole organisation of the administration could not have been more user friendly.

5.  THE VERDICT

  We believe that the "LINK" scheme is an excellent way of "pump priming" SMEs into the development and exploitation of new technologies. It is reasonably easy to administer but demands a sensible level of "beneficial" organisational rigour. This is good for SMEs.

  We have found that everyone at the DTI including the Co-ordinators have been extremely supportive and helpful throughout the project.

  This scheme can produce really positive benefits to SME and academic partners and will, in many instances, lead to a continued working relationship between the participants.

  SMEs are generally nervous about getting involved with academic establishments, but this scheme gives the opportunity, with some financial help, to prove to themselves that such relationships can indeed be very beneficial in many ways.

  If this message could be conveyed to all SMEs it could help to transform the performance of the UK in discovering and exploiting new and sometimes unique products.

  Nothing could be more important to the future success of British technology in today's rapidly changing world markets.

  The scheme as it is administered today seems to work well and is certainly not onerous. If it needs any improvement at all, I would suggest that it is in the area of PR.

  I am sure that most SMEs are completely unaware that such help is available to them, sometimes for very modest outlay.

  Universities are a huge, but largely untapped source of knowledge and academic excellence and the important issue is how to bring these together with SMEs who often have a dire need for their expertise.

  Perhaps it would be appropriate today to devise a central "Internet" Website to act as a "clearing house" which could bring together academic and business partners to work on areas of mutual interest and to publicise this widely to SMEs and the academic world.

14 January 1999