Network for technological development facilitator : A special profile for a special job

Each of the 22 French regions has a Network for Technological Development (NTD). The purpose of the informal organizations is to support the technological modernization of small businesses. Since 1998 in Basse-Normandie, the NTD has been coordinated by Jean-Pierre Larcher, a graduate engineer of the Arts et Metiers School.

The idea for NTDs was first hatched in the late eighties. Back then, public structures meeting companies potential, special needs abounded. However, the executives of small or very small companies were having a tough time getting a grasp on the environment that had grown up over the two past decades . So, Hubert Curin, then Minister for Research, came up with the idea of launching an experiment to network the representatives of the different public and parapublic structures, in four pilot regions. The mission of the network was to provide companies with support especially for their technological development. "Basse-Normandie became part of the movement in late 1991. It was the fifth French region to test the network whose coordination was handled by the Center for New Technologies," remarked the Basse-Normandie NTD facilitator.
The 1994 national consultation on research reported positively on the experiment. Therefore, the French State suggested that all the regions set up a network. Four years later, another more comprehensive national assessment of the NTDs by a consulting firm underscored that the new networks were very efficient and extremely useful for companies. "The innovation was getting men and women who were not always used to collaborative efforts to work together on corporate projects," explained Jean-Pierre Larcher. Unsurprisingly, all the regions except for the French Overseas Departments and Territories now have a Network for Technological Development whose operations are run by the French State via ANVAR and the Regions.
2,727 Visits to Companies in 2002
The Basse-Normandie NTD boasts about a hundred members with complementary skills, from 46 different regional organizations - a testimony to the diversity and wealth of an ever-changing network. "If a network is to be efficient and performing, it has to live, hence a regular renewal of its members," pointed out the Network Facilitator before adding, "joining the network is the outcome of a personal approach although, of course, it is subject to the approval of the persons supervisor." In other words, not anybody can join, a fact that increases the import of the network that is included the French State-Region contract (a specificity of Basse-Normandie).
Overall, the NTD has three missions. It must meet corporate demands, promote technological offerings, and foster exchanges between network members. Accordingly, NTD members visit the companies in the region. Their job is broken down into three different activities. One, find technological skills and expertise, two, inform and communicate, three, recommend public aid. The NTD has a target of 2,500 to 3,000 companies, meaning that all the companies are seen over a two to three-year period. "In 2002, 2,727 visits were made to companies. Depending on their needs, the appropriate skills and expertise were pointed out to them, with or without the support of public funding," explained Jean-Pierre Larcher.
Implementing Fine Touch Engineering'
For optimum efficiency, NTD members have tools. While each has its own special qualities, the Basse-Normandie NTD is probably the most proud of its latest tool, Information Control. "It started with an information need for a development project, which had been identified by a network member. The Information Control tool provides a joint NTD answer by setting up a team of three to five members in agreement with the head of the company," explained Jean-Pierre Larcher. He added that since the beginning of the operation in 1999, 124 regional companies have committed to the operation and 110 project teams have been trained.
Although the Basse-Normandie NTD can be considered as a pioneer in its field since the tools it has designed are very often used by other regions, its facilitator is not entirely satisfied. "Overall, Information Control is a success. However, were not going fast enough, especially in modernizing the NTD information system. We should be able to offer members even more services from the NTD Extranet," reported the NTD Facilitator. He is still an enthusiast and go-getter, both qualities vital to a job that requires, according to Jean-Pierre Larcher, the implementation of relational engineering, hence the need for a special profile and a very fine touch. , ,Contact -,RDT de Basse-Normandie,Phone [phone]. Fax. [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]
More informations on the regional networks :,- the RDT-NTIC,,- the RDT-MEAC,,- the GRAVIR
Source : ScienceTech Basse-Normandie Newsletter,http://www.basse-normandie.net/lettre/english/index_en.html,Free subscription : http://listes.cru.fr/wws/info/sciencetech.basse-normandie.en

Paesi

France