East Midlands Knowledge Network: Routes To University Expertise

 

Skylight Media Ltd

Innovation and Technology Exploitation

Description and aims

Skylight Media manage the client internet sites with a business model that includes commission based pricing (rather than a single fee). Ongoing improvements are therefore important to maximise sales potential. The aim of the SIS project is to enable Skylight Media to develop systems which increase the speed and efficiency of their website production processes.

About Skylight Media Ltd

Skylight Media is a Nottingham based e-commerce organisation producing and hosting web sites for other companies, with a current client base of around 60 companies.

How the project is being undertaken

The company heard about the expertise, facilities and resources available within the School of Science and Technology when they attended a Nottingham Knowledge Network event at NTU. The SIS project commenced with an exploratory MSc project that developed a prototype solution for this requirement. Review of this prototype by the academics and the company identified a clear definition of what was required within the SIS project.

The work undertaken includes:

  • Establishing and approving a detailed specification of the requirements and technical design
  • Developing a conceptual / stand alone application
  • Embedding the application in to the company systems
Impacts and benefits

The new services will enable Skylight to manage and ‘mine’ the various customer databases so as to enable data analysis, sales trends, and therefore cross-selling between client bases. This project will enable the organisation to improve the level of commission and provide a new feature in initial contract negotiations. Beyond the immediate improvement for Skylight, they are planning to sell these functions as services to their clients and by packaging the software for reuse by the many other e-commerce developers – both in the UK and abroad.

‘The SIS project has proven to be a valuable process, enabling us to develop systems to increase the speed and efficiency of website production techniques, whilst offering NTU the potential element of real commercial exposure.’ Matthew Riceman, Director of Skylight Media.

The University will benefit from guest lectures, teaching material and a joint publication written on the research and activities undertaken. It is intended that the links between NTU and the company will continue following the project, with potential for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership in the future.

For more information about the project

If you would like to hear more about this project, please contact Dr Taha Osman, School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University:

Email: taha.osman@ntu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0115 848 8370

More information about Skylight Media can be found at: www.skylightmedia.co.uk

Duration

One year

University

Nottingham Trent University

Academic Lead

Dr Taha Osman and Dr Tony Allen

Science and Technology

Contact

Dr Taha Osman

0115 848 8370