Our partners make valuable contributions to WMita, helping us to achieve our goal of developing a credible and thriving IT industry within the West Midlands through the provision of training, the delivery of business networking opportunities and by promoting the credentials and image of the industry in general. We work closely with partners in mutually benefitial ways and we raise the awareness of their organisation and promote their relevant services where appropriate, whilst preserving our impartiality.....
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2wm.co.uk is the Business Innovation Network for the West Midlands. Partnered by Advantage West Midlands, Coventry University Enterprises Ltd and By and part-funded by the ERDF, the project aims to be a thorough source of business-related information for SME's in the region. For more information link via www.2wm.co.uk or select logo opposite.
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Advantage West Midlands (AWM), the regional development agency, uses the description "cluster" rather than "sector" in recognition that businesses are not just grouped around a common economic activity but also use and share local resources with other types of businesses. This means a more inclusive approach in identifying the types of issues which can confront the ICT cluster. For more information link via www.wmictcluster.org or select logo opposite.
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Biztv is a business television channel online for the West Midlands providing news and information for and about business and commerce in the region. It is Television online to your PC with Biztv video news items available loclly and globally 24/7. For more information link via www.biz-tv.net or select logo opposite.
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The Centre of Excellence for Research in Computational Intelligence and Applications (CERCIA) is affiliated with the School of Computer Science at the University of Birmingham, a world leader in Natural Computation and Computational Intelligence. With support from AWM and a number of leading companies, CERCIA is established to exploit Computational Intelligence (CI) technologies for the benefit of industry across all sectors. CERCIA offers a wide range of services to businesses including consultancy, joint R&D projects, technical training courses, technology briefings, high performace computing facilities etc. Some of these services are offered at little or no cost to SMEs and start up companies in West Midlands. Fo more information link via www.cercia.ac.uk or select logo opposite.
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CBI West Midlands represents its members in the region. It runs a varied programme of events, with high level business speakers and offering excellent networking opportunities with leading companies. As well as large companies, members also include many growing IT based smaller companies. The office, in Birmingham, is interested to hear from any companies looking to join the CBI. For more information select www.cbi.org.uk or select logo opposite.
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iCentrum helps SME ICT companies in the West Midlands to grow. We make personal introductions to other SMEs, large IT companies, education establishments and research institutes for the benefit of all. In fact, iCentrum is the chosen ¡®filter¡¯ for some large IT companies when they are looking for SME partners. iCentrum also supports SMEs by providing access to specially designed facilities including a Solution Development Laboratory and Demonstration Suite. ICT companies can use iCentrum¡¯s Solution Development Laboratory to test, break and rebuild products in a clean environment. Companies can assess the viability of products by selecting various configurations using our range of hardware platforms and software solutions helping to reduce the development times for the products and improve their profitability. Some of the equipment is available for hire. Companies can demonstrate their products to potential clients in an exciting and professional environment that will enhance their ability to secure new business by using iCentrum¡¯s Demonstration Suite which includes professional projection equipment, interactive whiteboard and a PA system. iCentrum has made personal introductions for SMEs that have resulted in extra business, resolved product development problems and created partnerships with companies including EDS, ITNET and SCC. For more information goto www.icentrum.co.uk or select the logo opposite.
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IT Futures aims to show measurable improvement in business performance and demonstrate how better use of IT contributes to profits and employment. Companies can also consult the Initiative team if they are considering purchasing any software/hardware. They can attend demonstrations of the latest hardware/software solutions and the staff will be happy to provide impartial advice and guidance. For more information please contact [email protected] or go to www.it-futures.com
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The Midlands Innovation Relay Centre is the local node within a network of 71 regionally based centres covering the entire European Union and much of Central/Eastern Europe. The Innovation Relay Centre network is the official EC innovation and technology transfer support service, providing organisations with access to European partners for technological co-operation, research, licensing, manufacture and joint venture agreements. The Midlands IRC is the regional innovation and technology transfer support centre for Coventry and Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire. For more information please select www.mirc.org.uk or select logo opposite.
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Media Talent Bank is an online database of creative talent from the West Midlands region accessible to companies across the UK. Both creative individuals and freelancers have the opportunity to register their CV details and access the additional resources on offer. The site is completely FREE and can offer you many opportunities for employment, work placements and the chance to work with other creatives. For more information select www.mediatalentbank.com or select logo opposite.
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The National B2B Centre at Warwick University was established to provide impartial, expert e-business advice to growing businesses, with the aim of helping companies gain real business value from the Internet. In addition to running seminars and workshops, the centre offers one-to-one consultancy and hands on technology ¡°test drives¡±. The centre¡¯s services are available FREE OF CHARGE as the government foots the bill. Visit www.nb2bc.co.uk to find out how they could help you.
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OpenAdvantage, the West Midlands Open Source Solutions Centre, supported by Advantage West Midlands, is the only independently funded vendor-neutral IT Solution Centre in the UK specialising in helping companies benefit from the fastest growing force in IT; Open Source software. We provide free R&D, consultancy, seminars, training, demonstration suite and a lab. A demonstration suite filled with PC's, Mac's & Thin clients, can be set up to simulate any kind of IT environment for clients to trial and test, break and rebuild developments, conduct interoperability tests, make comparisons, evaluate migration paths and hold product launches. We can assist the small and medium sized IT business develop leading edge and cost effective IT solutions for their clients enabling them both to be in control of their IT and experience business growth and profitability. Our partners include the NB2BC and NCC. www.openadvantage.org .........
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User-Lab is recognised for its unique perspective, innovative research and commercial expertise in experience design' The User-Lab is a non-profit making organisation that was developed through Higher Education Funding Council for England capital funding. The lab is a purpose built user-centred design centre that designs and tests products and services. The lab is part of Birmingham Institute of Art and Design's Research Department and carries out commercial and academic research. User-Lab's team has a wealth of experience in user-centred design from user-requirements to user-testing in the heart of The West Midlands. For more information select www.user-lab.com or select logo opposite.
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Westmidlandsfinance.com aims to help West Midlands¡¯ SMEs find the most appropriate type of finance for them. It offers a searchable database of national and regional grants, special loans, cash awards, venture capital, business angel networks, banks, asset finance and cash flow finance. It¡¯s free to use, all you have to do is register! It is the most comprehensive regional database of financing for West Midlands¡¯ SMEs. Its unique search facility allows the business to find the sources of finance most suited to their individual needs. For more information select www.westmidlandsfinance.com or select logo opposite.
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The West Midlands Procurement Portal is an exciting new initiative by Advantage West Midlands that aims to provide businesses within the region the opportunity to identify, bid and win public sector contracts.
This portal gives businesses real-time access to low value contracts from all participating government organisations. It also enables government organisations the opportunity to access a wide range of companies that can meet their procurement needs. To register and for more information select www.wmportal.co.uk or select logo opposite.
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The Photonics Cluster(UK) - The Uks Premier Photonics Network
Photonics Cluster (UK) is dedicated to supporting the optoelectronics industry by interacting with technology and user sector companies as well as academic and research establishments. Activities include securing on behalf of its growing membership, corporate finance, research funding, and access to inhouse research facilities with optoelectronics equipment in the areas of 3 D scanning, laser micro machining and processing, photometric analysis, surface measurement, high speed photography using lasers, automated fibre alignment and telecom component test and measurement equipment.
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Supply2.gov.uk - the official lower-value (typically below £100,000) contract opportunities portal - was created by the Government to reduce the barriers facing SMEs competing for public sector contracts, enabling small businesses to grow and stay competitive.
Register at www.supply2.gov.uk before 31 July 2008 to benefit from a FREE national upgrade trial for 3 months
There has never been a better time to register at www.supply2.gov.uk - maximise your selling potential and ensure you are not missing out on the opportunity to sell to this market.
