Technology

To Innovation Connections technology means three things

Technology acquisition, cost effective, targeted, timely acquisition is critical to the profitable innovative company

Technology development requires industry involvement from the earliest stages.

Efficient and appropriate technology application is critical to securing new products, new processes all designed for new markets, these are the areas needed to create and maintain a competitive market position

* Your product objectives determine your technology needs, assess wisely
* Proven capability has to be established first before decisions can be made
* Avoid total change, reduce risk with incremental innovation
* The disaster area to avoid is new products made by new processes
* Technology transfer needs people as part of the transfer process
* Why buy technology if you can lease or licence
* Buy in application skills even if they are on a temporary basis
* Due diligence means only demonstrated technology should be evaluated
* Technology concepts have little value until they are demonstrated to be viable
* Investment in technology needs a generic demonstration
* Technology acquisition has to apply to specific technical environments
* Demonstration means participation not just viewing

* The technology acquisition plan has to be related to the product strategy  based on the current capability
* Before acquisition investigate options and alternatives available, get the best
* Look for the window of opportunity, where ever this is  
* Ensure that you are buying the total package and includes everything
* Use the minium amount of new technology, integrate with the existing base
* Adopt a product, technology and process proving process before full use
* Treat the technology providers as part of the new supply chain
* Check the usage agreements, use rather than ownership

The objective is to acquire and use technology to develop profitable and competitive market positions.

* Buying developed technology has advantages such as availability, low perceived risk, and reduced specialist skills

* Developed technology is rarely tailored to your business, is usually mismatched to your technology base and has increased application risks.

* Developing your in house technology means it is related to your real needs and has a low application risk

The disadvantages are that in house development requires time, skills, resources and planning..

We recommend total involvement in product related technology development and proofing processes to minimise application risk, this means foresight and planning. Resources have to be directed into managing technology acquisition and development to meet specific needs, this means leaving generic R & D to the specialists.

As these programs constantly change the details and the levels of funding need to be verified at the time.

* Apart from Federal funds there are some development funds from the States.
* Development grants from institutions and industry are available depending upon the industry and the product.
* Funding takes time to acquire

Innovation Connections provides support in all areas of technology acquisition, development and demonstration from assessing the needs of your product through to identifying technology sources, managing acquisition programs, products, processes and entry into new markets.


We assist in strategic planning, diagnostics and management of the total development process.
The mission of Innovation Connections is to provide marketing, technology and manufacturing expertise that assists companies meet global challenges.