A South Wales water hygiene company has seen its turnover grow by 55% and the creation of more than 100 direct and indirect jobs after a collaboration with the School of Computer Science at Cardiff University.
Aquamarc Ltd, which provides construction engineering and health and safety consultancy in water and ventilation hygiene, is now regarded among the world-class companies in its field, and is able to pass on its new digital solutions to other businesses.
The project, arranged through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme, involved developing new technical solutions to replace the company’s unwieldy paper-based documentation systems.
The new CD ROM and Web-based system has reduced costs, improved customer service and created a new source of income by making the system available to other small and medium-sized businesses.
“We were sceptical about the idea of working with the University to start with, but it soon became clear that this would be a great benefit to us,” said Marc Eckley, Managing Director of Aquamarc. “Completing a health and safety assessment for each job on paper forms was very outdated and time-consuming. The new system has really put us at the forefront in this field – even major organisations tell us we are ahead of them with this new system. “The project has really exceeded all our expectations. The aim was to improve the way we worked – we’ve not only achieved that, but we are now able to sell the system to others.”
Under the KTP scheme, D.C. Kim, a recent MSc Computing graduate from Cardiff University, was appointed as the company’s Associate to develop new software which could replace the paper-system. With support from Dr Omer Rana, Deputy Director of the Welsh eScience Centre in the School of Computer Science at Cardiff University and his colleague Dr Ieuan Nicholas, Mr Kim worked with the company to create a CD ROM and Web-based system which has revolutionised the way its field engineers operate.
They now have an interactive system with rapid search facilities and 3D graphics, enabling them to receive ‘instant training’ when needed. It also allows health and safety audit documentation to be completed much more rapidly on-site, enabling any installation or renovation work to be undertaken more quickly.
“Working with companies such as Aquamarc is great for us at the University, as it helps us evaluate our research work in new and challenging areas.”, Dr Rana said.
Dr Nicholas added: “This project just shows what can be achieved when a successful entrepreneur, a talented student and cutting-edge technology are brought together.”
KTP adviser Howard Nicholls commented: “Aquamarc has used the knowledge transfer from KTP to great effect. The associate, D. C. Kim has not only applied the proposed technical solutions efficiently, but he has been influential in a range of areas of the business. He has shown great flair and creativity to deliver such a wide range of benefits to the company.”
Dr Jarmila Davies, KTP Manager for Wales in the Department of Enterprise Innovation and Networks at the Welsh Assembly Government, said: “The Welsh Assembly Government's strategy is to provide robust support for programmes using knowledge generated in Welsh academic institutions for national economic benefit, and the KTP programme is one of them. The KTP model is extremely attractive to all partners because it is making the Welsh businesses more competitive, providing access to academic expertise and facilities and is developing associates as future business leaders. The Welsh Assembly Government is very pleased to see such a successful conclusion of the KTP partnership and congratulates all partners on their exemplar achievement.”
Further Information:
Cardiff School of Computer Science
Aquamarc