Innovation

Impress Media Australia works with a range of innovative Australian companies and individuals. Please read the stories below for details.

John ConvillAdelaide premises protection specialist Vision Security Services has launched a range of new generation IP video technology that uses existing computer network cabling to monitor buildings.

The German-developed Mobotix cameras can be incorporated into existing computer cabling infrastructure to provide traditional security coverage as well as allowing remote electronic monitoring as an alternative to permanent on-site staff using analogue technology.

The affordable range of Mobotix equipment can also address duty-of-care responsibilities, operational production monitoring and access control as well as OH&S (Occupational Health & Safety) requirements.

Vision Security Services managing director John Convill said the Mobotix technology had been developed during the past decade. “Their technology appears to be where VoIP telephony was about three years ago,” he said.

“It’s on the crest of a wave of acceptance as technology departments increasingly acquire responsibility for IP video surveillance from traditional building management or security staff.

“While this technology is not unusual in the ICT industry, it’s typically beyond the technical comfort zone of the traditional security organisation.”

MARC CEO Penny KingMany businesses are missing out on easier access to government grants that can fund manager training advises Penny King, CEO of SA-based workplace training specialist MARC.

MARC (Management And Research Centre) is a Mile End-based, not-for-profit organisation that provides training, scholarships and research in the fields of business fundamentals, leadership and management.

Ms. King said revised grant guidelines provided South Australian businesses with improved access to Government funding for manager training. “Many businesses are missing out because they are unaware of this opportunity,” she said.

eChallengeThe 2010 eChallenge, an annual business planning contest for aspiring entrepreneurs run by The University of Adelaide, offers the chance of global exposure as well as a share in $50,000 in cash and prizes.

Teams of between two and six people, including at least one tertiary-enrolled student in South Australia (including TAFE), compete in the eChallenge to develop a business plan for a new, previously unfunded concept.

eChallenge organisers assist team members with weekly workshops that offer insights into each stage of developing a business plan. If a team’s idea has commercial potential, organisers assign a business mentor to the team. eChallenge winners will be announced on Friday, October 29, at an event dinner at Adelaide’s National Wine Centre.

eChallenge Coordinator Diana Lucic said the opportunities continued past the event itself. “We choose an eChallenge team to take to the John Heine Entrepreneurial Challenge to compete against teams from other Australian universities,” she said.