Launching a new service for emerging technologies

A new, free service launched this week will raise the visibility of technologies, prototype products and services emerging from the multi-billion euro EU research initiative covering Information Society Technologies (IST).

IST Results is an online news service reporting on emerging information and communications technologies and highlighting their potential impact in a wide range of market sectors. Latest news, in-depth feature articles and a bi-weekly e-bulletin are just some of the services available at a dedicated web site (http://cordis.europa.eu/ist/results). A press desk will offer media the opportunity to keep abreast of the latest developments.
Companies and R&D teams looking to develop and deliver innovative e- products and services, investors, technology transfer experts and support organisations working with business to increase their competitiveness will all benefit from the news and views published.
The IST research programme explores the convergence of information processing, communications and media technologies, developing novel solutions in areas such as e-commerce, health informatics, publishing, education, intelligent transport, knowledge management and many more applications geared to improving our daily lives at work and in the home. However, market research suggests that many companies and investors find it difficult to get hold of information on the results of EU research, particularly if they are unfamiliar with the way such programmes are run. IST Results will play a crucial part in reporting on IST innovations as soon as they occur and in making them more easily accessible to a wider range of technology users.
The IST Results service opens on 26 March 2003 at http://cordis.europa.eu/ist/results where users can review the latest news and feature articles and register for the free bi-weekly e-bulletin. Further information on the service is also available from e-mail: [e-mail]. IST Results will be present at MILIA 2003 on 26-28 March and at the 9th European Investment Forum on 14-15 April 2003.
,NOTES TO EDITORS:
Background to IST Results,The IST Results service is operated under contract by a European consortium including Gopa-Cartermill International (GCI), INBIS Ltd and ESYS plc. The service has been commissioned by DG Information Society of the European Commission to stimulate the flow of technologies and research results from IST research projects into the marketplace. The IST Results team works closely with research teams and Commission project officers to highlight interesting results and work in progress with potential for exploitation. These leads are passed on to our team of journalists who create news and feature articles for the IST Results web site and e-bulletin. The service is actively marketed to technology users in large corporations and small and medium sized firms, investors, the media and various intermediaries with an interest in emerging technologies. IST Results news is also available for republishing on other websites and news services.
,IST Programme,The Information Society Technologies (IST) Programme is one of the largest research and technological development programmes funded by the European Commission. It builds on the convergence of information processing, communications and media technologies and is directed by the Information Society Directorate-General.
The objectives of IST are to ensure European leadership in the generic and applied technologies at the heart of the knowledge economy. It aims to increase innovation and competitiveness in European businesses and industry and to contribute to greater benefits for all European citizens.
The current focus of IST is on the future generation of technologies in which computers and networks will be integrated into the everyday environment, rendering accessible a multitude of services and applications through easy-to-use human interfaces. This vision of "ambient intelligence" places the user, the individual, at the centre of future developments for an inclusive knowledge based society for all.
Information on the European Commissions IST activities is available from http://cordis.europa.eu/ist and the DG Information Society website http://europa.eu.int/information_society/index_en.htm
CONTACT INFORMATION:
IST Results Editor-in-Chief,Tara Morris,Tel [phone],E-mail: [e-mail]
IST Results User helpdesk,Maria Kalama,Tel [phone],E-mail: [e-mail]
General helpdesk,Tel [phone],E-mail: [e-mail],