Final Report Summary - B2B LOCO (Baltic-to-Balkan network for logistics competence)
B2B LOCO project was a collaboration of 16 partners from 15 countries ranging from Baltic to Balkan aiming at building an informal network for logistics competence. B2B LOCO was to be perceived as a platform for an exchange of knowledge, best practices, new technologies and solutions within logistics. It has been created the way to substantially increase the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the Framework Programme (FP) projects by demonstrating and actively promoting the most business practice-oriented results of past and current research and technological development (RTD) projects.
The concept of the B2B LOCO project was that enterprises collaborating with local market-oriented research units in an international network would enhance their performance and competitiveness through the participation in FP projects or exploitation of its most business practice-oriented results.
The project was represented by old and new member states as well as two candidate countries, covering most of the East of the continent and beyond, from Estonia to Israel.
B2B LOCO targeted different types of SMEs: transport and logistics companies, manufacturing and retail companies, hi-tech and green technologies companies.
Within the project duration, the SME community was provided with two international conferences, two practical workshops and three brokerage events, supplemented with permanent communication mechanisms (www, newsletters).
Moreover an alumni social network was developed and three rounds of alumni meetings in universities of nine partner countries were organised, attracting over 1600 participants. Additionally, the project provided an electronic knowledge brokerage system (EKBS), a web-based tool for companies enabling of publishing company profile for partner search and presenting its offers and demands. 259 companies registered in EKBS to present themselves for partner search.
To meet project objectives the analysis on the real benefits coming out of FP projects were carried out giving a number of 67 research projects providing added value for SMEs, which were published on the project website http://www.b2bloco.eu/projects/index.html. So far a limited number of SMEs was involved in realisation of projects or exploitation of its results. The reasons for the moderate interest of SMEs in FP projects' results or involvement were collected.
As a result of all activities, SMEs were presented with identified benefits from advanced solutions developed by FP projects and experiences of successful SME- RTD - academia cooperation cases. They were familiarised with FP as such and the value of common cooperation of research and industry. Moreover, the new information channels developed during the project improved transfer of knowledge on transport and logistics.
Project context and objectives:
- A summary description of project context and objectives
The major objectives were to develop an informal network for logistics competence and to demonstrate and promote the most business practice-oriented results of past and current RTD projects. It all aimed to attract SMEs with FP projects and increase its the common cooperation of research and industry.
To meet the project objectives, a number of networking and knowledge transfer activities, comprising of organisation of one conference, a practical workshop, two brokerage events and development of the electronic knowledge brokerage system targeted at SMEs were carried out with the focus to the following:
- Create a permanent network of research and educational institutions in transport and logistics capable of building and maintaining links with SMEs in their area
Through the project actions a database of more than 10 000 participants was developed. 264 representatives of academy, research, business registered on the project website. 259 companies registered in EKBS to present its profiles for partner search. 752 alumni have registered in alumni social network (ASN).
- Identify innovative FP projects in the field of logistics and transport
Almost 200 EU funded logistics projects were analysed giving a number of 67 research projects providing added value for SMEs published on the project website at http://www.b2bloco.eu/projects/index.html Based on the investigation, we made it appeared very few SMEs were involved in realisation of projects or exploitation of its results. Moreover, most SMEs did not perceive innovation providing the real value. The reasons for the moderate interest of SMEs in FP projects' results or involvement were collected.
- Present best practice solutions coming out of FP project in various fields of logistics and transport to SME's, especially focusing on green technologies
A number of 67 research projects in various fields of logistics and transport providing added value for SMEs were published on the project website. Most of the projects were FP projects. Some of analysed projects provided green technologies. Selected best practice solutions coming out of FP were presented at a number of project events.
- Show clear benefits of FP participation to SME's in the under-privileged EU-states and in candidate countries
The analysis of research projects were made the way to prove the projects added value for SMEs and the nature of these benefits such as financial, organisational or other nature. Moreover, the presentations of best practices coming out of research projects held at project events were focused on the benefits they provided to SMEs.
- Support exploitation of successful RTD project results by helping companies implement solutions developed
The project supported exploitation of successful RTD project results through the identification of results that were exploitable and its wide dissemination through a number of actions.
- Provide new exploitation opportunities for the future FP projects in terms of SMEs' involvement in demonstration and commercialisation efforts
The message we presented at the project events and other project actions clearly presented the importance of involvement of SMEs in demonstration and commercialisation of project results.
- Provide research institutions with a forum of knowledge / experience exchange in dealing with SMEs
A number of research institutions coming out of 15 countries were invited to project events and participated. The events served as forums of knowledge / experience exchange in dealing with SME's providing the floor for discussions and networking. Moreover, all registered or identified research institutions were provided with regular information on the potential opportunities coming out of the cooperation of business (SMEs) and research (R&D units, universities) provided by research projects.
- Inform large numbers of companies about current work programmes and calls as well as offer advice on how to participate in FPs
Regular information on current work programmes and opened calls within transport as well as advice on how to participate in FPs and access to FP-related materials was provided through the newsletters and published on the project website. Moreover, a number of documents presenting the European policy, strategies and action plans towards transport were made available on the project website. Additionally, contacts to National Contact Points (NCPs) of all the project partner countries were made available.
- Provide access to FP-related materials both in English and national languages
Regular information on current work programmes and opened calls within transport, including link to CORDIS were published on the project website.
Project results:
A description of the main S&T results / foregrounds
The following activities were carried out within the duration of B2B LOCO project to meet the project objectives:
- WP2 international conferences
Two conferences were organised as planned, attracting the required profile and number of participants and presenting results and achievements of FP projects.
First international conference in Poland
Date: 12-14 May 2010
Place: Pozna, Poland
Title: The logistics challenge: flexibility, sustainability, innovation
Task leader: Institute of logistics and warehousing
Merged with: Polish Logistics Congress Logistics 2010 and the Annual ELA Congress Eurolog 2010
Second international conference in Slovenia
Date: 27 May 2011
Place: Portoro, Slovenia
Title: Transport and logistics ICT solutions - from EU projects to business practice
Task leader: University of Maribor (UNI-MB)
Merged with: International Conference on Transport Science.
The first B2B LOCO conference was intended to present the small and medium business world with results of EU projects including FP projects such as FREIGHTWISE, CEASAR II, RECODRIVE as well as the SME environment in the strategic transport development initiatives of INTERREG projects and other initiatives funded by the European Commission (EC). Experts from FP consortia presented the solutions and achievements of successful projects aiming at stimulation of awareness among the enterprises of the chances and opportunities available for the European transport sector in EU. For instance, the participants were presented with transport planning tool allowing transport management to be used by SMEs as a result of FREIGHTWISE project or common communication system providing terminal to terminal information of the entire combined transport chain in CEASAR II project. Moreover, participants had the opportunity to familiarise with RECODRIVE project promoting sustainable fleet management and eco-driving in SMEs as well as results of CONNECT project aiming at working out strategic plan for development and implementation of intelligent transport systems and services (ITS) including reducing the travel time of road users, fostering urban interfaces to ensure fluent traffic, etc. The conference highly promoted 'green transport solutions'. Additionally, it promoted not only useful results of European projects but also the idea of networking, clustering as an effective strategy for SMEs to gain competitive advantage through sharing of information, exchanging of experience, best practices and developing of innovative character.
The B2B LOCO session was chaired by Prof. Wodzimierz Rydzkowski. The speakers were as follows:
- Frank Knoors, Sequoyah NV, Belgium
- Tomislav Letnik, University of Maribor, Slovenia
- Wiktor Szydarowski, TransBaltic, Sweden
- Marek Serba, Transport Research Center, Czech Republic
- Aldo Croci, CEASAR II project, Hupac, Hungary
- Kamil Kulesza, Wielkopolska Automotive Cluster, ECO-cars (SME), Poland
- Igor V. Kabashkin, Transport and Telecommunication Institute, Latvia
- Mitja Stiglic, University of Maribor, Slovenia.
The number of participants which amounted to 70, as well as the structure, with a good 25 % of participants coming from SMEs related to transport and logistics, allows one to conclude that the conference succeeded in communicating key messages about the FP7 and other EU programmes to the SME community.
The majority of participants highly evaluated the content of the event as well as the overall organisation indicating their interest in further participation in events of similar scope.
The second B2B LOCO conference in Slovenia was merged with major research and technological development (RTD) event in the field of transport - 'International Conference on Transport Science - ICTS 2011' organised by the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport in cooperation with Slovenian Society for Transport Science. The joint session of conference was attended by Dr Patrick Vlai, Minister of Transport and Dr Igor Jakomin, State Secretary at the Ministry of Transport.
The conference theme was 'Transport and logistics ICT solutions - From EU projects to business practice'. Based on the results of WP4 concerning EU RTD projects, of which results and achievements have been implemented into practice, as well as University of Maribor's own network and databases topics and projects of special interest for presentation at the conference were identified. The following EU projects were presented: TRANSBALTIC, SEAMLESS, KASSETTS, EBEST, EASYWAY, STARNETREGIO and CASTLE. The emphasis in all presentations was participation of SMEs in these projects as well as on possible benefits that can be achieved by SMEs should they implement projects' results into practice. Experts have presented the solutions and achievements of successful projects as well as solutions to some problems such as overcoming transport performance deficiencies as one of most prominent barriers to economic prosperity and growth in the Baltic Sea region. Further on achievements and possibilities for transport collaboration between SMEs in order to raise their competitiveness were presented on one hand and on the other hand developments in intelligent infrastructure and intelligent freight RFID based services were depicted. Interesting topic of clusters within maritime industry and their cooperation and networking activities in STARNETREGIO project were manifested.
In the second part of the conference, latest developments in business practice from field of ICT solutions in transport and logistics were presented. The participants were familiarised with latest solutions that are not limited to large enterprises but should be used in SMEs as well in order to improve SMEs competitiveness.
The speakers were as follows:
- Balázs Barta, Pannon Business Network, Hungary
- Vasilis Dimarelos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
- Dr Wiktor Szydarowski, B2B LOCO consultation board, Sweden
- Dr Flavio Bonfatti, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Dean Herenda, Ministry of Transport (EasyWay chair 2010), Slovenia
- Edvard Rosker, Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, Slovenia
- Franc Razbornik, University of Maribor, Slovenia
- Joe Novinsek, M2M, Slovenia
- Janez Strojan, Visit d.o.o. Slovenia
- Mag. Armin Musija, Transporeon
- Aleksandra Kodri, URSA Slovenia d.o.o. - URALITA
- Klemen Jamsek, CVS Mobile, Slovenia
- Igor Ula, 3Projekt d.o.o. Slovenia.
The number of participants amounted to 66,24 % representing SMEs and 12 % coming from local authorities.
The majority of participants highly evaluated the content of the event as well as the overall organisation indicating their interest in further participation in events of similar scope.
- WP3 practical workshops
The workshops were to attract SMEs with the results of EU research projects and the outcomes of research conducted in project partners' countries within FPs in the field of transport and logistics. Two workshops were organised:
First practical workshop in Lithuania
Date: 15 December 2009
Place: Vilnius, Lithuania
Title: Increasing availability of transport and logistics services for SMEs in new European Union (EU Member States - result of focused development of co-modal transport
Task leader: Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU)
Merged with: Forum of Lithuanian Intermodal Transport Technology Platform Forum within the Lithuanian Intermodal Days 2009
Second Practical workshop in Croatia
Dates: 28 April 2011
Place: Opatija, Croatia
Title: Transport and logistics SMEs: Cooperation and competition
Task leader: Prometis - Traffic Eng., Planning, Research and Development Ltd.
Merged with: Transport System 2011 - International Symposium of Croatian Scientific Society for Transport.
Both workshops aimed to present benefits for SMEs resulting from participation in FP7 and to create opportunities for new projects among participants, to establish of the local networks of partnership between companies and research organisations, to familiarise the participants with strategies of development of co-modal transport as well as to exchange knowledge and good practices of the logistics and transport development among a wide group of stakeholders.
The first workshop 'Increasing availability of transport and logistics services for SME's in new EU Member States - result of focused development of co-modal transport' sought to familiarise participants with the results of the recent EU FP projects based on the possibilities to apply best practices and innovative technologies to SMEs. It aimed to provide SMEs with European best practices within co-modality as well as to promote and spread new ideas to support the system of green co-modal transport.
The workshop was attended by 56 participants: 17 were research structures and universities, 5 represented government and local authorities, and 34 stood for SMEs.
The workshop presented the systemised information on FP7 projects and its results in the transport sector. Since most of transport companies from new European countries are middle size or small, they have very limited financial and analytical possibilities to carry on research works, the Workshop gave a unique opportunity to familiarise the participants with the new tendencies in European transport market.
Moreover, the workshop became a ground for exchanging new ideas between SMEs on innovative technologies and best practices. SMEs in new EU Member States are used to act individually instead of cooperate that strengthens its competitiveness.
The second workshop 'Transport and logistics SMEs: Cooperation and competition' was devoted to the ways and benefits of horizontal collaboration between SMEs and between SMEs and big enterprises, including the partnerships with state and local authorities and RTD communities. The workshop was attended by 56 participants.
The workshop presented the role of SMEs in the supply chains, especially highlighting opportunities for achieving greater added value through common cooperation and clustering at regional levels. Discussion confirmed the need for logistics knowledge and business practice transfer from older EU Member States to the new Member States.
According to the research carried out by VGTU, only few SMEs in Lithuania have been participated or exploited the results of FP projects. The results of the research show that the scientific and academic style of the FP7 studies is often hardly understandable for the SMEs.
- WP4 brokerage events for regional industrial clusters and SMEs
The goal of the WP was to provide companies, universities and research institutes with assistance to find international partners for product development, manufacturing and licensing agreements, joint ventures or similar partnerships. SMEs grouped in regional industrial clusters, universities and research institutes were able to promote their own technology offers and requests which were collected in the online catalogue - EKBS. The main objectives of these face-to-face meetings were to:
- identify FP projects whose results and achievements have been implemented in practice;
- identify SMEs which have commercially exploited FP results;
- support and facilitate the SMEs with information on new significant results and achievements of FP projects;
- allow for matching SMEs interested in FP7 calls with research institutions what would result in submitting a successful proposals;
- allow the SMEs to search for partners with specific expertise required for their project ideas and visions;
- give a chance to all parties involved in the brokerage event to present their latest achievements, inventions which could be used, bought or implemented by other participants.
The brokerage events were the ideal environment for:
- SMEs offering and / or looking for new technologies;
- scientific / research institutes offering innovative RTD results in logistics and transport sector;
- start-up companies and entrepreneurs which plan to create strong, successful consortia for participating in FP7.
The events brought together suppliers and users of technology and know-how from all over Europe to discuss solutions and new opportunities.
Three brokerage events were organised:
First Brokerage Event for SMEs and Clusters in Hungary
Date/ place: 10 June 2010, Nagykanizsa, Hungary
Title: EU funded projects and logistics possibilities for SMEs in the West-Pannon Region
Task leader: Pannon Business Network (PBN)
Merged with: Annual Meeting of the Pannon Logistics Cluster
Participants: 48
Second Brokerage Event for SMEs and Clusters in Czech Republic
Date / place: 1 December 2010, Prague, Czech Republic
Title: Innovative logistics solutions
Task leader: Transport Research Centre (CDV)
Merged with: Speedchain 2010 'Logistics - Reality with perspective'
Participants: 105
Third Brokerage Event for SMEs and Clusters in Croatia
Date/ place: 28 April 2011, Opatija, Croatia
Title: Transport and logistics SMEs: Cooperation and competition
Task leader: Prometis Ltd (PROMETIS)
Merged with: Transport System 2011 - International Symposium of Croatian Scientific Society for Transport.
Some facts about WP4:
- Project partners started raising awareness well before each of the three brokerage events took place in order to be able to address and acquire at least 40 SME / event.
- Brokerage events were accompanied by presentations of firms.
- Among outputs of this work package there were: information campaign, press releases and articles in newsletters, mailing lists before and after the event.
- The events were promoted on regional and project's website.
- The programme and the list of participants were available for each participating organisation.
The first B2B LOCO brokerage event 'EU funded logistics projects and possibilities for SMEs in the West-Pannon Region' aimed to familiarise participants with the possibilities in the FP7 and other national and international projects as well as the results of the recent EU FP projects and applicability of best practices and innovative technologies to SMEs.
The second brokerage event was devoted to innovative logistics solutions resulted from FP and other logistic projects. The main aim was to encourage the participation of SMEs in the Cooperation programme of FP7, familiarise participants with the possibilities in the FP7 and other national and international projects and results of the recent FP projects. Moreover, B2B LOCO brokerage tool was introduced.
The third B2B LOCO brokerage event was devoted to the very current issues of balancing the cooperation and competition forces and trends among transport and logistics SMEs and SMEs in other activities with significant transport and logistics needs. The aim of the event was to examine and show the ways and benefits of horizontal collaboration between SMEs and between SMEs and big enterprises, including the partnerships with state and local authorities and RTD communities. A number of EU projects were presented, including SMART - Container Management, PREVENT, POET, FRETIS, RECODRIVE, DISCWISE.
Data base of the most crucial FP and other European logistics projects
In the first year of the project, the performance of the task covered investigation of European R&D projects with the focus on SMEs and projects results that were produced for the use of SMEs. This was achieved through the collection of realised FP projects in the area of logistics and development of a database. Approximately 200 European RTD projects within logistics were identified by a task leader and each project partner was allocated 12-15 projects to contact and tried to collect information on possible exploitation of projects results by SMEs or SMEs involvement in these projects realisation. In the second year of the project, the task was continued. The search for projects was held based on the projects the partners were familiarised with or participated in. The analysis of the projects were expanded so to include information on the target groups, benefits provided by the projects including financial, organisational or other nature and companies contacted. Almost 200 EU funded projects were identified and analysed giving the number of 67 research projects providing added value for SMEs, which were published on the project website: http://www.b2bloco.eu/projects/index.html
Based on the investigation, we made it appeared very few SMEs were involved in realisation of the projects or exploitation of its results. Moreover, most SMEs did not perceive innovation providing the real value. The following reasons for the moderate interest of SMEs in FP projects' results or involvement were indicated by SMEs:
- SMEs perceive R&D projects as the ones that create solutions to be used by huge companies;
- SMEs do not have resources (money, employees, time) and infrastructure to join R&D projects;
- SMEs cannot see clear benefits and added value from participation in R&D projects;
- SMEs made a loss in FPs because of low level of overheads;
- SMEs have difficulties understanding 'the R&D language';
- SMEs perceive participation in R&D projects as very difficult - bureaucracy, time consuming phase of proposal preparation, long evaluation and reporting procedures;
- SMEs perceive participation in R&D projects as requiring extra training for employees;
- companies perceive projects results non-marketable;
- companies were not interested in further investment of its own resources to make the results more useful;
- the only project area they perceive valuable is their participation in the exploitation phase and pilots.
Online brokerage tool for SMEs
An EKBS was made available on the project website. It is a simple, user-friendly tool for companies enabling of publishing company profile for partner search and present its offers and demands. Up to August 2011, 367 offers and 13 demands from 259 companies representing 26 countries, including China and Russia were introduced. Most active partner countries were Lithuania (61 requests), Romania (29), Turkey (22) and Hungary (21).
Benefits for SMEs:
1. free, Europe-wide promotion of a company in a transport and logistics sector;
2. cooperation with European companies, institutions which could become business partners;
3. free access to the latest logistics news, events, conferences;
4. free access to current transport national and international projects and their results;
5. access to up-to-date information on work programmes, calls and possibilities to participate in the FP7;
6. more than 250 companies registered - excellent source of international contacts.
- WP5 dissemination and mutual learning
Project dissemination was carried out on regular basis. The project website (see http://www.b2bloco.eu online) provided users with updated information about the project actions, progress and other logistics news and events. Moreover, a number of research projects providing best practices were presented. There were almost 62 000 visitors (11 630 unique IP addresses) on the website in the second period, which means 302 visitors per day in average. Four issues of project newsletter were prepared in the second year of the project, each sent to more than 10 000 recipients in total. The number of registered companies in the brokerage tool reached 259, which is much more than expected in the project proposal (180 profiles). The project website will be functioning for two more years after the end of the project.
Website statistics for second project period
Additionally, other dissemination activities were carried out including releasing of project publications in national media, promotion of B2B LOCO at other events such as:
- 'Succesful R&D in Europe: Third European Networking Event'- Dusseldorf;
- 'Brokerage Event for Transport and Logistics Sector'- Warsaw;
- Cooperation Forum 2011 - ECR Poland Conference, Warsaw;
- ITEE 2011 - Information Technologies in Environmental Engineering, Poznan.
Moreover, B2B LOCO was presented at a number of platforms and within other projects of the same scope including European Small Business portal, euagenda.eu CORDIS portal, SMART project, GPRIX project, MAPEER project, social networks - Facebook, LinkedIn. All required deliverables have been duly submitted.
- WP6 alumni networking
The performance of B2B LOCO ASN considerably enhanced in the second year of the project. During the period of 1 September 2010 - 31 August 2011, two rounds of meetings were accomplished - there were 18 meetings for alumni in nine countries organised in total. The meetings attracted over 1600 participants. In comparison to the first round of meetings, which attracted over 300 participants, the progress is legible. During the third series of events, the average attendance was the highest reaching 120 participants, whereas the average number of participants at the second round of alumni events estimated 59. The statistics on the number of visits at ASN prove a considerable success, reaching above 8000 visits altogether and about 40 000 page-viewed, 316 instant messages and 15 forums. Main visitors originated from Poland, Latvia and Israel. The total number of registered users reached 752.
Having built quite a network of alumni, it has become an issue to keep it running after the project end. Most of the project partners are planning to continue with the initiative and develop the network individually. For the lifetime of the project, the main objectives of the network were to promote EU funded projects results among enterprises but to keep this network attractive these will have to be redefined. The following objectives for alumni networks have been proposed:
- to provide a platform for an exchange of knowledge, new technologies and solutions within logistics;
- to educate and provide information on different financing opportunities for SMEs;
- to present best practices in transport and logistics coming out not only from research but from the market;
- to built the logistics community;
- to provide logistics news and present recent initiatives.
Moreover, it is planned to invite the B2B LOCO alumni community to ELABESTLOG initiative run under auspices of European Logistics Association. ELA BESTLOG is a community collaborating at international level to enhance performance and competitiveness through exploitation of the most business practice-oriented results and knowledge sharing to improve efficiency of logistics processes. ELA BESTLOG is to serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and gathering, a tool for monitoring of project results and the floor for discussions.
In the 2nd project period, more than 240 users registered (of 752 in total) themselves in the alumni social network on http://fp7.tsi.lv/en/
- The following results have been achieved:
- Advanced solutions developed by FP consortia get used by the business world
A number of best practices, innovative solutions and technologies resulting from research projects and exploited in business reality were identified and presented at the project events for companies. It raised the awareness of the companies on the potential opportunities coming out of the cooperation of business (SMEs) and research provided by research projects.
- Successful SME-RTD-academia cooperation cases were lauded and copied
A number of best practices, innovative solutions and technologies resulting from research were presented at project events attended by enterprises or published on the project website focusing on the value added for companies and giving the opportunity for further exploitation.
- Partnerships for future FP projects were formed
An EKBS was developed on the project website. It was a simple tool for companies enabling of publishing company profile for partner search and presenting its offers and demands. EKBS provides an updated database of enterprises open to start cooperation within future FP projects. Up to August 2011, 367 offers and 13 demands from 259 companies representing 26 countries, including China and Russia were introduced.
- New (often permanent) information channels were created.
Within the project realisation the community of over 10 000 logisticians was reached and provided with regular information on logistics. The major information channels were two international conferences, two practical workshops and three brokerage events. The events not only provided best practice solutions within logistics but also networking opportunities having representatives of research and industry at the same time, at the same place. Moreover, the project website (see http://www.b2bloco.eu online) provided users with updated information about the project actions, progress and other logistics news and events. The average number of visitors reached 302 visitors per day. Additionally, eight issues of project newsletter were released for the project life-time, each sent to more than 10 000 recipients in total. The number of registered companies in the Brokerage tool reached 259, which is much more than expected in the project proposal (180 profiles).
- New technologies find their way to companies willing to develop and/or commercialise them.
A number of best practices, innovative solutions and technologies resulting from research were presented at project events attended by enterprises or published on the project website. The companies interested in these solutions had the opportunity to discuss its possible exploitation or further use. Among the presented solutions that met market needs the electronic platforms providing communication improvements for the companies, common framework, common transport process organisation, etc. proved to be of high interest.
- Information is widely available on the web.
The project website provided users with updated information about the project actions, progress and other logistics news and events. The average number of visitors reached 302 visitors per day.
- New efficient communication tools are in place.
To communicate directly with the logistics community two international conferences, two practical workshops and three brokerage events were organised in different European countries. The events not only provided best practice solutions within logistics but also networking opportunities having representatives of research and industry at the same time, at the same place. Moreover, the project website provided users with updated information about the project actions, progress and other logistics news and events. The average number of visitors reached 302 visitors per day. Additionally, eight issues of project newsletter were released for the project life-time, each sent to more than 10 000 recipients in total. The number of registered companies in the brokerage tool reached 259, which is more than twice as much as expected in the project proposal.
- Information in national languages reached company owners and/or board members
Each project event organised in different European countries was highly promoted among the national companies using national logistics media and individual databases. Simultaneous translation was provided at each event providing the opportunity to invite international experts and attract more local companies. Moreover, introduction of the project was made available on the project website in 15 national languages. The contact data to NCPs of all project partner countries was made available.
- Alumni associations with direct access to SMEs were formed.
The alumni social network was developed and three rounds of alumni meetings in universities of nine partner countries were organised, attracting over 1600 participants some of which represented SMEs. 752 alumni have registered in ASN. In spite of the project end, the initiative of alumni network will continue on individual basis. Moreover, all the alumni active in B2B LOCO ASN will be invited to join common network developed by the European Logistics Association and benefit from the results of ELABESTLOG initiative as well as from regular offer of ELA.
The individual plans of alumni networks development:
1. Poznan School of Logistics (WSL) transferred the Polish alumni database from ASN to the school's server and plans to continue the cooperation with graduates within an alumni club. The alumni club activities will be initiated after the project's end in October / November 2011. The B2B LOCO alumni network experience will be also useful for tracking the graduates' career paths which is an obligatory task of each Polish university since 2011.
2. University of Applied Sciences (TTK) plans to continue with alumni activities after the project's end. The ASN will be adjusted to local conditions, making it more user-friendly and also more accessible to SMEs. The activities will embrace not only transport and logistics graduates but also alumni from other faculties. For now, an alumni group in Facebook (see http://www.facebook.com/pages/TTK-Vilistlaskogu/243259102393723 online) was set up. Thanks to B2B LOCO ASN the alumni community was activated and reestablished their contacts with the university.
3. University of Rousse - as B2B LOCO alumni activities were well received by the academic community, highly scored by the university's management and led other faculties to conduct similar events for their graduates, the management of the University of Rousse endorsed the idea for an establishment of a university alumni club.
4. University of Maribor (UNI- MB) is going to continue the alumni meetings. As the alumni club already existed at UNI- MB, the university was able to developed close cooperation with graduates and have jointly prepared alumni events aimed at traffic engineering graduates and students. Additionally, the Slovenian partner cooperated with Society for Transport Development which affiliates graduates of traffic engineering from our faculty. The society took over an active role of networking for graduates and students from field of transport and was strongly involved in B2B LOCO alumni networking. The two organisations (alumni club together with Society for Transport Development) will continue alumni activities after the project's end and they are going to use the database from B2B LOCO in their future activities. As both of them already have web portals (with forum, news, etc.) no new portals are going to be set up. To sum up, the activities are going to be continued in response to the interest expressed at B2B LOCO alumni events.
5. Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) will transfer the Lithuanian alumni database from B2BLOCO ASN to its portal. After the project end, the university will continue with the initiative not to lose the established contacts especially with the representatives of transport SMEs. VGTU will focus on providing of information and common events as well as feasibility studies and projects in transport and logistics research area.
6. Israel Institute of Technology TECHNION had (before B2BLOCO) and will continue to have (after B2BLOCO) activities centered around alumni. B2BLOCO has given these activities a boost and brought to light several opportunities for alumni interaction and alumni events. The great success of two of the alumni events helped teach TECHNION what works. The information gathered in the alumni network are very useful and will be merge with TECHNION alumni databases.
7. Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TTI) plans to extend the ASN to be developed and adopted by the whole Institute.
8. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). There are three higher education institutions in Greece that have graduate programmes in transport and logistics. The University of Thessaloniki, the University of Thessaly, and the University of Athens. All three are very much aware of B2B LOCO project since AUTH organised its alumni events in each of them. The knowledge of the B2B LOCO project was also transferred to the Hellenic Society of Transportation and Logistics Engineers, which has members among all the alumni from Greece and from foreign universities. For the length of the B2B LOCO project, all four institutions had links to the B2B LOCO webpage inserted to their webpages, and all four have been asked to continue so.
9. Akdeniz University doesn't plan to continue with alumni activities because of the lack of project financing for any tasks after the project's end in August 2011.
Potential impact:
- Almost 200 EU funded logistics projects were analysed giving a number of 67 research projects providing added value for SMEs, which were published on the project website (see http://www.b2bloco.eu/projects/index.html online). The analysed research projects were presented at the project events for companies. It raised the awareness of the companies on the potential opportunities coming out of the cooperation of business (SMEs) and research. Based on the investigation we made it appeared very few SMEs were involved in realisation of projects or exploitation of its results. Moreover, most SMEs did not perceive innovation providing the real value.
- The project provided opportunities for joining the partnerships for future FP projects through an EKBS. It was a web-based tool for companies enabling of publishing company profile for partner search and presenting its offers and demands. EKBS provided an updated database of enterprises open to start cooperation within future FP projects. Up to August 2011, 367 offers and 13 demands from 259 companies representing 26 countries, including China and Russia were introduced.
- An informal network of research and educational institutions in transport and logistics capable of building and maintaining links with SMEs in their area was established. Through the project actions a database of more than 10 000 participants was developed. 264 representatives of academy, research, business registered on the project website. 259 companies registered in EKBS to present its profiles for partner search. 752 alumni have registered in ASN.
- Local companies were informed on the opportunities coming out of cooperation between research and industry and the ways on how to start such cooperation. Each project event organised in different European countries was highly promoted among the national companies using national logistics media and individual databases. Simultaneous translation was provided at each event providing the opportunity to invite international experts and attract more local companies. Moreover, introduction of the project was made available on the project website in 15 national languages. The contact data to NCPs of all project partner countries was made available.
- A network of alumni associations with direct access to SMEs was formed in universities of 9 partner countries. A number of alumni meetings were organised, attracting over 1600 participants some of which represented SMEs. 752 alumni have registered in ASN. The alumni initiative will continue on individual basis. Moreover, the alumni active in B2B LOCO ASN will be invited to join common network developed by the European Logistics Association and benefit from the results of ELABESTLOG initiative as well as from regular offer of European Logistics Association.
- The project supported exploitation of successful RTD project results through the identification of results that were exploitable and its wide dissemination through a number of actions.
- The project emphasised the importance of involvement of companies including SMEs in demonstration and commercialisation of research project results. Such approach should result in provision of new exploitation opportunities for the future FP projects in terms of SMEs' involvement in demonstration and commercialisation efforts.
- The project provided research institutions with a forum of knowledge / experience exchange in dealing with SMEs. A number of research institutions coming out of 15 countries were invited to project events and participated. The events served as forums of knowledge / experience exchange in dealing with SMEs providing the floor for discussions and networking. Moreover, all registered or identified research institutions were provided with regular information on the potential opportunities coming out of the cooperation of business (SMEs) and research (R&D units, universities).
- The large number of companies were informed about current work programmes and calls as well as offered advice on how to participate in FPs. Regular information on current work programmes, opened calls within transport as well as access to FP-related materials was provided through the newsletters and published on the project website. Moreover, a number of documents presenting the European policy, strategies and action plans towards transport as well as contacts to NCPs of all the project partner countries were made available.
Project website: http://www.b2bloco.eu
Alumni portal: http://fp7.tsi.lv/en/
The concept of the B2B LOCO project was that enterprises collaborating with local market-oriented research units in an international network would enhance their performance and competitiveness through the participation in FP projects or exploitation of its most business practice-oriented results.
The project was represented by old and new member states as well as two candidate countries, covering most of the East of the continent and beyond, from Estonia to Israel.
B2B LOCO targeted different types of SMEs: transport and logistics companies, manufacturing and retail companies, hi-tech and green technologies companies.
Within the project duration, the SME community was provided with two international conferences, two practical workshops and three brokerage events, supplemented with permanent communication mechanisms (www, newsletters).
Moreover an alumni social network was developed and three rounds of alumni meetings in universities of nine partner countries were organised, attracting over 1600 participants. Additionally, the project provided an electronic knowledge brokerage system (EKBS), a web-based tool for companies enabling of publishing company profile for partner search and presenting its offers and demands. 259 companies registered in EKBS to present themselves for partner search.
To meet project objectives the analysis on the real benefits coming out of FP projects were carried out giving a number of 67 research projects providing added value for SMEs, which were published on the project website http://www.b2bloco.eu/projects/index.html. So far a limited number of SMEs was involved in realisation of projects or exploitation of its results. The reasons for the moderate interest of SMEs in FP projects' results or involvement were collected.
As a result of all activities, SMEs were presented with identified benefits from advanced solutions developed by FP projects and experiences of successful SME- RTD - academia cooperation cases. They were familiarised with FP as such and the value of common cooperation of research and industry. Moreover, the new information channels developed during the project improved transfer of knowledge on transport and logistics.
Project context and objectives:
- A summary description of project context and objectives
The major objectives were to develop an informal network for logistics competence and to demonstrate and promote the most business practice-oriented results of past and current RTD projects. It all aimed to attract SMEs with FP projects and increase its the common cooperation of research and industry.
To meet the project objectives, a number of networking and knowledge transfer activities, comprising of organisation of one conference, a practical workshop, two brokerage events and development of the electronic knowledge brokerage system targeted at SMEs were carried out with the focus to the following:
- Create a permanent network of research and educational institutions in transport and logistics capable of building and maintaining links with SMEs in their area
Through the project actions a database of more than 10 000 participants was developed. 264 representatives of academy, research, business registered on the project website. 259 companies registered in EKBS to present its profiles for partner search. 752 alumni have registered in alumni social network (ASN).
- Identify innovative FP projects in the field of logistics and transport
Almost 200 EU funded logistics projects were analysed giving a number of 67 research projects providing added value for SMEs published on the project website at http://www.b2bloco.eu/projects/index.html Based on the investigation, we made it appeared very few SMEs were involved in realisation of projects or exploitation of its results. Moreover, most SMEs did not perceive innovation providing the real value. The reasons for the moderate interest of SMEs in FP projects' results or involvement were collected.
- Present best practice solutions coming out of FP project in various fields of logistics and transport to SME's, especially focusing on green technologies
A number of 67 research projects in various fields of logistics and transport providing added value for SMEs were published on the project website. Most of the projects were FP projects. Some of analysed projects provided green technologies. Selected best practice solutions coming out of FP were presented at a number of project events.
- Show clear benefits of FP participation to SME's in the under-privileged EU-states and in candidate countries
The analysis of research projects were made the way to prove the projects added value for SMEs and the nature of these benefits such as financial, organisational or other nature. Moreover, the presentations of best practices coming out of research projects held at project events were focused on the benefits they provided to SMEs.
- Support exploitation of successful RTD project results by helping companies implement solutions developed
The project supported exploitation of successful RTD project results through the identification of results that were exploitable and its wide dissemination through a number of actions.
- Provide new exploitation opportunities for the future FP projects in terms of SMEs' involvement in demonstration and commercialisation efforts
The message we presented at the project events and other project actions clearly presented the importance of involvement of SMEs in demonstration and commercialisation of project results.
- Provide research institutions with a forum of knowledge / experience exchange in dealing with SMEs
A number of research institutions coming out of 15 countries were invited to project events and participated. The events served as forums of knowledge / experience exchange in dealing with SME's providing the floor for discussions and networking. Moreover, all registered or identified research institutions were provided with regular information on the potential opportunities coming out of the cooperation of business (SMEs) and research (R&D units, universities) provided by research projects.
- Inform large numbers of companies about current work programmes and calls as well as offer advice on how to participate in FPs
Regular information on current work programmes and opened calls within transport as well as advice on how to participate in FPs and access to FP-related materials was provided through the newsletters and published on the project website. Moreover, a number of documents presenting the European policy, strategies and action plans towards transport were made available on the project website. Additionally, contacts to National Contact Points (NCPs) of all the project partner countries were made available.
- Provide access to FP-related materials both in English and national languages
Regular information on current work programmes and opened calls within transport, including link to CORDIS were published on the project website.
Project results:
A description of the main S&T results / foregrounds
The following activities were carried out within the duration of B2B LOCO project to meet the project objectives:
- WP2 international conferences
Two conferences were organised as planned, attracting the required profile and number of participants and presenting results and achievements of FP projects.
First international conference in Poland
Date: 12-14 May 2010
Place: Pozna, Poland
Title: The logistics challenge: flexibility, sustainability, innovation
Task leader: Institute of logistics and warehousing
Merged with: Polish Logistics Congress Logistics 2010 and the Annual ELA Congress Eurolog 2010
Second international conference in Slovenia
Date: 27 May 2011
Place: Portoro, Slovenia
Title: Transport and logistics ICT solutions - from EU projects to business practice
Task leader: University of Maribor (UNI-MB)
Merged with: International Conference on Transport Science.
The first B2B LOCO conference was intended to present the small and medium business world with results of EU projects including FP projects such as FREIGHTWISE, CEASAR II, RECODRIVE as well as the SME environment in the strategic transport development initiatives of INTERREG projects and other initiatives funded by the European Commission (EC). Experts from FP consortia presented the solutions and achievements of successful projects aiming at stimulation of awareness among the enterprises of the chances and opportunities available for the European transport sector in EU. For instance, the participants were presented with transport planning tool allowing transport management to be used by SMEs as a result of FREIGHTWISE project or common communication system providing terminal to terminal information of the entire combined transport chain in CEASAR II project. Moreover, participants had the opportunity to familiarise with RECODRIVE project promoting sustainable fleet management and eco-driving in SMEs as well as results of CONNECT project aiming at working out strategic plan for development and implementation of intelligent transport systems and services (ITS) including reducing the travel time of road users, fostering urban interfaces to ensure fluent traffic, etc. The conference highly promoted 'green transport solutions'. Additionally, it promoted not only useful results of European projects but also the idea of networking, clustering as an effective strategy for SMEs to gain competitive advantage through sharing of information, exchanging of experience, best practices and developing of innovative character.
The B2B LOCO session was chaired by Prof. Wodzimierz Rydzkowski. The speakers were as follows:
- Frank Knoors, Sequoyah NV, Belgium
- Tomislav Letnik, University of Maribor, Slovenia
- Wiktor Szydarowski, TransBaltic, Sweden
- Marek Serba, Transport Research Center, Czech Republic
- Aldo Croci, CEASAR II project, Hupac, Hungary
- Kamil Kulesza, Wielkopolska Automotive Cluster, ECO-cars (SME), Poland
- Igor V. Kabashkin, Transport and Telecommunication Institute, Latvia
- Mitja Stiglic, University of Maribor, Slovenia.
The number of participants which amounted to 70, as well as the structure, with a good 25 % of participants coming from SMEs related to transport and logistics, allows one to conclude that the conference succeeded in communicating key messages about the FP7 and other EU programmes to the SME community.
The majority of participants highly evaluated the content of the event as well as the overall organisation indicating their interest in further participation in events of similar scope.
The second B2B LOCO conference in Slovenia was merged with major research and technological development (RTD) event in the field of transport - 'International Conference on Transport Science - ICTS 2011' organised by the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport in cooperation with Slovenian Society for Transport Science. The joint session of conference was attended by Dr Patrick Vlai, Minister of Transport and Dr Igor Jakomin, State Secretary at the Ministry of Transport.
The conference theme was 'Transport and logistics ICT solutions - From EU projects to business practice'. Based on the results of WP4 concerning EU RTD projects, of which results and achievements have been implemented into practice, as well as University of Maribor's own network and databases topics and projects of special interest for presentation at the conference were identified. The following EU projects were presented: TRANSBALTIC, SEAMLESS, KASSETTS, EBEST, EASYWAY, STARNETREGIO and CASTLE. The emphasis in all presentations was participation of SMEs in these projects as well as on possible benefits that can be achieved by SMEs should they implement projects' results into practice. Experts have presented the solutions and achievements of successful projects as well as solutions to some problems such as overcoming transport performance deficiencies as one of most prominent barriers to economic prosperity and growth in the Baltic Sea region. Further on achievements and possibilities for transport collaboration between SMEs in order to raise their competitiveness were presented on one hand and on the other hand developments in intelligent infrastructure and intelligent freight RFID based services were depicted. Interesting topic of clusters within maritime industry and their cooperation and networking activities in STARNETREGIO project were manifested.
In the second part of the conference, latest developments in business practice from field of ICT solutions in transport and logistics were presented. The participants were familiarised with latest solutions that are not limited to large enterprises but should be used in SMEs as well in order to improve SMEs competitiveness.
The speakers were as follows:
- Balázs Barta, Pannon Business Network, Hungary
- Vasilis Dimarelos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
- Dr Wiktor Szydarowski, B2B LOCO consultation board, Sweden
- Dr Flavio Bonfatti, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Dean Herenda, Ministry of Transport (EasyWay chair 2010), Slovenia
- Edvard Rosker, Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, Slovenia
- Franc Razbornik, University of Maribor, Slovenia
- Joe Novinsek, M2M, Slovenia
- Janez Strojan, Visit d.o.o. Slovenia
- Mag. Armin Musija, Transporeon
- Aleksandra Kodri, URSA Slovenia d.o.o. - URALITA
- Klemen Jamsek, CVS Mobile, Slovenia
- Igor Ula, 3Projekt d.o.o. Slovenia.
The number of participants amounted to 66,24 % representing SMEs and 12 % coming from local authorities.
The majority of participants highly evaluated the content of the event as well as the overall organisation indicating their interest in further participation in events of similar scope.
- WP3 practical workshops
The workshops were to attract SMEs with the results of EU research projects and the outcomes of research conducted in project partners' countries within FPs in the field of transport and logistics. Two workshops were organised:
First practical workshop in Lithuania
Date: 15 December 2009
Place: Vilnius, Lithuania
Title: Increasing availability of transport and logistics services for SMEs in new European Union (EU Member States - result of focused development of co-modal transport
Task leader: Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU)
Merged with: Forum of Lithuanian Intermodal Transport Technology Platform Forum within the Lithuanian Intermodal Days 2009
Second Practical workshop in Croatia
Dates: 28 April 2011
Place: Opatija, Croatia
Title: Transport and logistics SMEs: Cooperation and competition
Task leader: Prometis - Traffic Eng., Planning, Research and Development Ltd.
Merged with: Transport System 2011 - International Symposium of Croatian Scientific Society for Transport.
Both workshops aimed to present benefits for SMEs resulting from participation in FP7 and to create opportunities for new projects among participants, to establish of the local networks of partnership between companies and research organisations, to familiarise the participants with strategies of development of co-modal transport as well as to exchange knowledge and good practices of the logistics and transport development among a wide group of stakeholders.
The first workshop 'Increasing availability of transport and logistics services for SME's in new EU Member States - result of focused development of co-modal transport' sought to familiarise participants with the results of the recent EU FP projects based on the possibilities to apply best practices and innovative technologies to SMEs. It aimed to provide SMEs with European best practices within co-modality as well as to promote and spread new ideas to support the system of green co-modal transport.
The workshop was attended by 56 participants: 17 were research structures and universities, 5 represented government and local authorities, and 34 stood for SMEs.
The workshop presented the systemised information on FP7 projects and its results in the transport sector. Since most of transport companies from new European countries are middle size or small, they have very limited financial and analytical possibilities to carry on research works, the Workshop gave a unique opportunity to familiarise the participants with the new tendencies in European transport market.
Moreover, the workshop became a ground for exchanging new ideas between SMEs on innovative technologies and best practices. SMEs in new EU Member States are used to act individually instead of cooperate that strengthens its competitiveness.
The second workshop 'Transport and logistics SMEs: Cooperation and competition' was devoted to the ways and benefits of horizontal collaboration between SMEs and between SMEs and big enterprises, including the partnerships with state and local authorities and RTD communities. The workshop was attended by 56 participants.
The workshop presented the role of SMEs in the supply chains, especially highlighting opportunities for achieving greater added value through common cooperation and clustering at regional levels. Discussion confirmed the need for logistics knowledge and business practice transfer from older EU Member States to the new Member States.
According to the research carried out by VGTU, only few SMEs in Lithuania have been participated or exploited the results of FP projects. The results of the research show that the scientific and academic style of the FP7 studies is often hardly understandable for the SMEs.
- WP4 brokerage events for regional industrial clusters and SMEs
The goal of the WP was to provide companies, universities and research institutes with assistance to find international partners for product development, manufacturing and licensing agreements, joint ventures or similar partnerships. SMEs grouped in regional industrial clusters, universities and research institutes were able to promote their own technology offers and requests which were collected in the online catalogue - EKBS. The main objectives of these face-to-face meetings were to:
- identify FP projects whose results and achievements have been implemented in practice;
- identify SMEs which have commercially exploited FP results;
- support and facilitate the SMEs with information on new significant results and achievements of FP projects;
- allow for matching SMEs interested in FP7 calls with research institutions what would result in submitting a successful proposals;
- allow the SMEs to search for partners with specific expertise required for their project ideas and visions;
- give a chance to all parties involved in the brokerage event to present their latest achievements, inventions which could be used, bought or implemented by other participants.
The brokerage events were the ideal environment for:
- SMEs offering and / or looking for new technologies;
- scientific / research institutes offering innovative RTD results in logistics and transport sector;
- start-up companies and entrepreneurs which plan to create strong, successful consortia for participating in FP7.
The events brought together suppliers and users of technology and know-how from all over Europe to discuss solutions and new opportunities.
Three brokerage events were organised:
First Brokerage Event for SMEs and Clusters in Hungary
Date/ place: 10 June 2010, Nagykanizsa, Hungary
Title: EU funded projects and logistics possibilities for SMEs in the West-Pannon Region
Task leader: Pannon Business Network (PBN)
Merged with: Annual Meeting of the Pannon Logistics Cluster
Participants: 48
Second Brokerage Event for SMEs and Clusters in Czech Republic
Date / place: 1 December 2010, Prague, Czech Republic
Title: Innovative logistics solutions
Task leader: Transport Research Centre (CDV)
Merged with: Speedchain 2010 'Logistics - Reality with perspective'
Participants: 105
Third Brokerage Event for SMEs and Clusters in Croatia
Date/ place: 28 April 2011, Opatija, Croatia
Title: Transport and logistics SMEs: Cooperation and competition
Task leader: Prometis Ltd (PROMETIS)
Merged with: Transport System 2011 - International Symposium of Croatian Scientific Society for Transport.
Some facts about WP4:
- Project partners started raising awareness well before each of the three brokerage events took place in order to be able to address and acquire at least 40 SME / event.
- Brokerage events were accompanied by presentations of firms.
- Among outputs of this work package there were: information campaign, press releases and articles in newsletters, mailing lists before and after the event.
- The events were promoted on regional and project's website.
- The programme and the list of participants were available for each participating organisation.
The first B2B LOCO brokerage event 'EU funded logistics projects and possibilities for SMEs in the West-Pannon Region' aimed to familiarise participants with the possibilities in the FP7 and other national and international projects as well as the results of the recent EU FP projects and applicability of best practices and innovative technologies to SMEs.
The second brokerage event was devoted to innovative logistics solutions resulted from FP and other logistic projects. The main aim was to encourage the participation of SMEs in the Cooperation programme of FP7, familiarise participants with the possibilities in the FP7 and other national and international projects and results of the recent FP projects. Moreover, B2B LOCO brokerage tool was introduced.
The third B2B LOCO brokerage event was devoted to the very current issues of balancing the cooperation and competition forces and trends among transport and logistics SMEs and SMEs in other activities with significant transport and logistics needs. The aim of the event was to examine and show the ways and benefits of horizontal collaboration between SMEs and between SMEs and big enterprises, including the partnerships with state and local authorities and RTD communities. A number of EU projects were presented, including SMART - Container Management, PREVENT, POET, FRETIS, RECODRIVE, DISCWISE.
Data base of the most crucial FP and other European logistics projects
In the first year of the project, the performance of the task covered investigation of European R&D projects with the focus on SMEs and projects results that were produced for the use of SMEs. This was achieved through the collection of realised FP projects in the area of logistics and development of a database. Approximately 200 European RTD projects within logistics were identified by a task leader and each project partner was allocated 12-15 projects to contact and tried to collect information on possible exploitation of projects results by SMEs or SMEs involvement in these projects realisation. In the second year of the project, the task was continued. The search for projects was held based on the projects the partners were familiarised with or participated in. The analysis of the projects were expanded so to include information on the target groups, benefits provided by the projects including financial, organisational or other nature and companies contacted. Almost 200 EU funded projects were identified and analysed giving the number of 67 research projects providing added value for SMEs, which were published on the project website: http://www.b2bloco.eu/projects/index.html
Based on the investigation, we made it appeared very few SMEs were involved in realisation of the projects or exploitation of its results. Moreover, most SMEs did not perceive innovation providing the real value. The following reasons for the moderate interest of SMEs in FP projects' results or involvement were indicated by SMEs:
- SMEs perceive R&D projects as the ones that create solutions to be used by huge companies;
- SMEs do not have resources (money, employees, time) and infrastructure to join R&D projects;
- SMEs cannot see clear benefits and added value from participation in R&D projects;
- SMEs made a loss in FPs because of low level of overheads;
- SMEs have difficulties understanding 'the R&D language';
- SMEs perceive participation in R&D projects as very difficult - bureaucracy, time consuming phase of proposal preparation, long evaluation and reporting procedures;
- SMEs perceive participation in R&D projects as requiring extra training for employees;
- companies perceive projects results non-marketable;
- companies were not interested in further investment of its own resources to make the results more useful;
- the only project area they perceive valuable is their participation in the exploitation phase and pilots.
Online brokerage tool for SMEs
An EKBS was made available on the project website. It is a simple, user-friendly tool for companies enabling of publishing company profile for partner search and present its offers and demands. Up to August 2011, 367 offers and 13 demands from 259 companies representing 26 countries, including China and Russia were introduced. Most active partner countries were Lithuania (61 requests), Romania (29), Turkey (22) and Hungary (21).
Benefits for SMEs:
1. free, Europe-wide promotion of a company in a transport and logistics sector;
2. cooperation with European companies, institutions which could become business partners;
3. free access to the latest logistics news, events, conferences;
4. free access to current transport national and international projects and their results;
5. access to up-to-date information on work programmes, calls and possibilities to participate in the FP7;
6. more than 250 companies registered - excellent source of international contacts.
- WP5 dissemination and mutual learning
Project dissemination was carried out on regular basis. The project website (see http://www.b2bloco.eu online) provided users with updated information about the project actions, progress and other logistics news and events. Moreover, a number of research projects providing best practices were presented. There were almost 62 000 visitors (11 630 unique IP addresses) on the website in the second period, which means 302 visitors per day in average. Four issues of project newsletter were prepared in the second year of the project, each sent to more than 10 000 recipients in total. The number of registered companies in the brokerage tool reached 259, which is much more than expected in the project proposal (180 profiles). The project website will be functioning for two more years after the end of the project.
Website statistics for second project period
Additionally, other dissemination activities were carried out including releasing of project publications in national media, promotion of B2B LOCO at other events such as:
- 'Succesful R&D in Europe: Third European Networking Event'- Dusseldorf;
- 'Brokerage Event for Transport and Logistics Sector'- Warsaw;
- Cooperation Forum 2011 - ECR Poland Conference, Warsaw;
- ITEE 2011 - Information Technologies in Environmental Engineering, Poznan.
Moreover, B2B LOCO was presented at a number of platforms and within other projects of the same scope including European Small Business portal, euagenda.eu CORDIS portal, SMART project, GPRIX project, MAPEER project, social networks - Facebook, LinkedIn. All required deliverables have been duly submitted.
- WP6 alumni networking
The performance of B2B LOCO ASN considerably enhanced in the second year of the project. During the period of 1 September 2010 - 31 August 2011, two rounds of meetings were accomplished - there were 18 meetings for alumni in nine countries organised in total. The meetings attracted over 1600 participants. In comparison to the first round of meetings, which attracted over 300 participants, the progress is legible. During the third series of events, the average attendance was the highest reaching 120 participants, whereas the average number of participants at the second round of alumni events estimated 59. The statistics on the number of visits at ASN prove a considerable success, reaching above 8000 visits altogether and about 40 000 page-viewed, 316 instant messages and 15 forums. Main visitors originated from Poland, Latvia and Israel. The total number of registered users reached 752.
Having built quite a network of alumni, it has become an issue to keep it running after the project end. Most of the project partners are planning to continue with the initiative and develop the network individually. For the lifetime of the project, the main objectives of the network were to promote EU funded projects results among enterprises but to keep this network attractive these will have to be redefined. The following objectives for alumni networks have been proposed:
- to provide a platform for an exchange of knowledge, new technologies and solutions within logistics;
- to educate and provide information on different financing opportunities for SMEs;
- to present best practices in transport and logistics coming out not only from research but from the market;
- to built the logistics community;
- to provide logistics news and present recent initiatives.
Moreover, it is planned to invite the B2B LOCO alumni community to ELABESTLOG initiative run under auspices of European Logistics Association. ELA BESTLOG is a community collaborating at international level to enhance performance and competitiveness through exploitation of the most business practice-oriented results and knowledge sharing to improve efficiency of logistics processes. ELA BESTLOG is to serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and gathering, a tool for monitoring of project results and the floor for discussions.
In the 2nd project period, more than 240 users registered (of 752 in total) themselves in the alumni social network on http://fp7.tsi.lv/en/
- The following results have been achieved:
- Advanced solutions developed by FP consortia get used by the business world
A number of best practices, innovative solutions and technologies resulting from research projects and exploited in business reality were identified and presented at the project events for companies. It raised the awareness of the companies on the potential opportunities coming out of the cooperation of business (SMEs) and research provided by research projects.
- Successful SME-RTD-academia cooperation cases were lauded and copied
A number of best practices, innovative solutions and technologies resulting from research were presented at project events attended by enterprises or published on the project website focusing on the value added for companies and giving the opportunity for further exploitation.
- Partnerships for future FP projects were formed
An EKBS was developed on the project website. It was a simple tool for companies enabling of publishing company profile for partner search and presenting its offers and demands. EKBS provides an updated database of enterprises open to start cooperation within future FP projects. Up to August 2011, 367 offers and 13 demands from 259 companies representing 26 countries, including China and Russia were introduced.
- New (often permanent) information channels were created.
Within the project realisation the community of over 10 000 logisticians was reached and provided with regular information on logistics. The major information channels were two international conferences, two practical workshops and three brokerage events. The events not only provided best practice solutions within logistics but also networking opportunities having representatives of research and industry at the same time, at the same place. Moreover, the project website (see http://www.b2bloco.eu online) provided users with updated information about the project actions, progress and other logistics news and events. The average number of visitors reached 302 visitors per day. Additionally, eight issues of project newsletter were released for the project life-time, each sent to more than 10 000 recipients in total. The number of registered companies in the Brokerage tool reached 259, which is much more than expected in the project proposal (180 profiles).
- New technologies find their way to companies willing to develop and/or commercialise them.
A number of best practices, innovative solutions and technologies resulting from research were presented at project events attended by enterprises or published on the project website. The companies interested in these solutions had the opportunity to discuss its possible exploitation or further use. Among the presented solutions that met market needs the electronic platforms providing communication improvements for the companies, common framework, common transport process organisation, etc. proved to be of high interest.
- Information is widely available on the web.
The project website provided users with updated information about the project actions, progress and other logistics news and events. The average number of visitors reached 302 visitors per day.
- New efficient communication tools are in place.
To communicate directly with the logistics community two international conferences, two practical workshops and three brokerage events were organised in different European countries. The events not only provided best practice solutions within logistics but also networking opportunities having representatives of research and industry at the same time, at the same place. Moreover, the project website provided users with updated information about the project actions, progress and other logistics news and events. The average number of visitors reached 302 visitors per day. Additionally, eight issues of project newsletter were released for the project life-time, each sent to more than 10 000 recipients in total. The number of registered companies in the brokerage tool reached 259, which is more than twice as much as expected in the project proposal.
- Information in national languages reached company owners and/or board members
Each project event organised in different European countries was highly promoted among the national companies using national logistics media and individual databases. Simultaneous translation was provided at each event providing the opportunity to invite international experts and attract more local companies. Moreover, introduction of the project was made available on the project website in 15 national languages. The contact data to NCPs of all project partner countries was made available.
- Alumni associations with direct access to SMEs were formed.
The alumni social network was developed and three rounds of alumni meetings in universities of nine partner countries were organised, attracting over 1600 participants some of which represented SMEs. 752 alumni have registered in ASN. In spite of the project end, the initiative of alumni network will continue on individual basis. Moreover, all the alumni active in B2B LOCO ASN will be invited to join common network developed by the European Logistics Association and benefit from the results of ELABESTLOG initiative as well as from regular offer of ELA.
The individual plans of alumni networks development:
1. Poznan School of Logistics (WSL) transferred the Polish alumni database from ASN to the school's server and plans to continue the cooperation with graduates within an alumni club. The alumni club activities will be initiated after the project's end in October / November 2011. The B2B LOCO alumni network experience will be also useful for tracking the graduates' career paths which is an obligatory task of each Polish university since 2011.
2. University of Applied Sciences (TTK) plans to continue with alumni activities after the project's end. The ASN will be adjusted to local conditions, making it more user-friendly and also more accessible to SMEs. The activities will embrace not only transport and logistics graduates but also alumni from other faculties. For now, an alumni group in Facebook (see http://www.facebook.com/pages/TTK-Vilistlaskogu/243259102393723 online) was set up. Thanks to B2B LOCO ASN the alumni community was activated and reestablished their contacts with the university.
3. University of Rousse - as B2B LOCO alumni activities were well received by the academic community, highly scored by the university's management and led other faculties to conduct similar events for their graduates, the management of the University of Rousse endorsed the idea for an establishment of a university alumni club.
4. University of Maribor (UNI- MB) is going to continue the alumni meetings. As the alumni club already existed at UNI- MB, the university was able to developed close cooperation with graduates and have jointly prepared alumni events aimed at traffic engineering graduates and students. Additionally, the Slovenian partner cooperated with Society for Transport Development which affiliates graduates of traffic engineering from our faculty. The society took over an active role of networking for graduates and students from field of transport and was strongly involved in B2B LOCO alumni networking. The two organisations (alumni club together with Society for Transport Development) will continue alumni activities after the project's end and they are going to use the database from B2B LOCO in their future activities. As both of them already have web portals (with forum, news, etc.) no new portals are going to be set up. To sum up, the activities are going to be continued in response to the interest expressed at B2B LOCO alumni events.
5. Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) will transfer the Lithuanian alumni database from B2BLOCO ASN to its portal. After the project end, the university will continue with the initiative not to lose the established contacts especially with the representatives of transport SMEs. VGTU will focus on providing of information and common events as well as feasibility studies and projects in transport and logistics research area.
6. Israel Institute of Technology TECHNION had (before B2BLOCO) and will continue to have (after B2BLOCO) activities centered around alumni. B2BLOCO has given these activities a boost and brought to light several opportunities for alumni interaction and alumni events. The great success of two of the alumni events helped teach TECHNION what works. The information gathered in the alumni network are very useful and will be merge with TECHNION alumni databases.
7. Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TTI) plans to extend the ASN to be developed and adopted by the whole Institute.
8. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). There are three higher education institutions in Greece that have graduate programmes in transport and logistics. The University of Thessaloniki, the University of Thessaly, and the University of Athens. All three are very much aware of B2B LOCO project since AUTH organised its alumni events in each of them. The knowledge of the B2B LOCO project was also transferred to the Hellenic Society of Transportation and Logistics Engineers, which has members among all the alumni from Greece and from foreign universities. For the length of the B2B LOCO project, all four institutions had links to the B2B LOCO webpage inserted to their webpages, and all four have been asked to continue so.
9. Akdeniz University doesn't plan to continue with alumni activities because of the lack of project financing for any tasks after the project's end in August 2011.
Potential impact:
- Almost 200 EU funded logistics projects were analysed giving a number of 67 research projects providing added value for SMEs, which were published on the project website (see http://www.b2bloco.eu/projects/index.html online). The analysed research projects were presented at the project events for companies. It raised the awareness of the companies on the potential opportunities coming out of the cooperation of business (SMEs) and research. Based on the investigation we made it appeared very few SMEs were involved in realisation of projects or exploitation of its results. Moreover, most SMEs did not perceive innovation providing the real value.
- The project provided opportunities for joining the partnerships for future FP projects through an EKBS. It was a web-based tool for companies enabling of publishing company profile for partner search and presenting its offers and demands. EKBS provided an updated database of enterprises open to start cooperation within future FP projects. Up to August 2011, 367 offers and 13 demands from 259 companies representing 26 countries, including China and Russia were introduced.
- An informal network of research and educational institutions in transport and logistics capable of building and maintaining links with SMEs in their area was established. Through the project actions a database of more than 10 000 participants was developed. 264 representatives of academy, research, business registered on the project website. 259 companies registered in EKBS to present its profiles for partner search. 752 alumni have registered in ASN.
- Local companies were informed on the opportunities coming out of cooperation between research and industry and the ways on how to start such cooperation. Each project event organised in different European countries was highly promoted among the national companies using national logistics media and individual databases. Simultaneous translation was provided at each event providing the opportunity to invite international experts and attract more local companies. Moreover, introduction of the project was made available on the project website in 15 national languages. The contact data to NCPs of all project partner countries was made available.
- A network of alumni associations with direct access to SMEs was formed in universities of 9 partner countries. A number of alumni meetings were organised, attracting over 1600 participants some of which represented SMEs. 752 alumni have registered in ASN. The alumni initiative will continue on individual basis. Moreover, the alumni active in B2B LOCO ASN will be invited to join common network developed by the European Logistics Association and benefit from the results of ELABESTLOG initiative as well as from regular offer of European Logistics Association.
- The project supported exploitation of successful RTD project results through the identification of results that were exploitable and its wide dissemination through a number of actions.
- The project emphasised the importance of involvement of companies including SMEs in demonstration and commercialisation of research project results. Such approach should result in provision of new exploitation opportunities for the future FP projects in terms of SMEs' involvement in demonstration and commercialisation efforts.
- The project provided research institutions with a forum of knowledge / experience exchange in dealing with SMEs. A number of research institutions coming out of 15 countries were invited to project events and participated. The events served as forums of knowledge / experience exchange in dealing with SMEs providing the floor for discussions and networking. Moreover, all registered or identified research institutions were provided with regular information on the potential opportunities coming out of the cooperation of business (SMEs) and research (R&D units, universities).
- The large number of companies were informed about current work programmes and calls as well as offered advice on how to participate in FPs. Regular information on current work programmes, opened calls within transport as well as access to FP-related materials was provided through the newsletters and published on the project website. Moreover, a number of documents presenting the European policy, strategies and action plans towards transport as well as contacts to NCPs of all the project partner countries were made available.
Project website: http://www.b2bloco.eu
Alumni portal: http://fp7.tsi.lv/en/
