Intelligent mail server
Intelligent mail server prototype developed with Essex expertise
The background
The University of Essex is a world-class resource for relevant, applicable, cutting-edge research and expertise, as software development company Active Web Solutions (AWS) discovered. Ipswich-based AWS is an award-winning software specialist, serving such major clients as Microsoft and the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.
The issue
AWS has a strong presence in the construction industry. In 2008 it sought to develop an intelligent mail server to allow its corporate customers to better store and share information.
"We came with a hard problem and it was obvious we had come to the right place in terms of expertise. Being taken on a tour of the School’s facilities was an eye-opener. So setting up a Knowledge Transfer Partnership was a no-brainer."
Rob Blackwell, Research and Development Director AWS
The solution
Rob Blackwell, Research and Development Director from AWS, was introduced to Dr Udo Kruschwitz and Professor Simon Lucas from the University of Essex’s School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering.
The University provided Dr Kruschwitz and Professor Lucas as project supervisors, and with AWS, jointly recruited full time Associate through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). Dyaa Albakour, who took his Masters at Essex, excelled in this role. “Getting the right person was crucial,” says Dr Kruschwitz. Rob agrees, adding: “Perhaps I had an ‘ivory tower’ view of universities. I discovered the absolute opposite. I had no idea we had an intellectual powerhouse on the doorstep.”
The benefits
AWS’s intelligent mail server prototype, while yet to be fully commercialised, has already influenced features in the company’s products and been well received by clients.
“The prototype is very much part of our sales and marketing pitch and has influenced our corporate strategy,” says Rob. “The benefits have not yet been financial but, in terms of our customers’ perception of us as an Research and Development oriented company, they’ve been huge. We’ve also established a fantastic relationship with the University. We now run student placements, sponsor a computer science prize and I have also done some guest lecturing. We like to tell prospective clients that we’re working on emerging technologies like cloud computing with Microsoft. It’s equally valuable to tell them about our link with Essex. Would we do it again? Absolutely. KTPs are enormously valuable when you find the right partner.”
Dr Kruschwitz, meanwhile, says the association allowed the University to carry out cutting-edge research while updating its teaching syllabus and underlining its relevance.
Who to contact
Please contact Knowledge Exchange Manager, Jenny Young for more details.
