Real Time Business Intelligence project wins prestigious award for innovation

14 November 2007

A BT team based at Adastral Park, Ipswich, has won a prestigious global award for innovation at the IET’s annual Innovation in Engineering Awards.

The team won the IT award for their Real Time Business Intelligence project which employs artificial intelligence technology to automate collection and analysis of enterprise data in real time to enable rapid adaptation of operational processes.

Existing Business Intelligence Systems for performance measurements report on a weekly or monthly basis. This project enables business to access and analysis business data much faster. As well as understand the impact decisions and changes are having in real time.

A total of 15 awards, each sponsored by a major company, were presented and at a ceremony at the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London hosted by TV personality and science enthusiast Johnny Ball.

The host of “Think of a Number” said: “What makes a great innovator? Perhaps a little eccentricity, a desire for improvement, plus vision and the determination to see it through. All that equals the type of projects recognised through these awards. Innovators always ask ‘Why can't it be better?’ If it wasn't for innovation we would still have black and white television and mono radio.”

He continued: “Innovation is at the heart of business and wealth creation. It is right that we acknowledge those who push the boundaries of science, engineering and technology and it will be exciting to see how the innovations awarded this year will make their mark in the future. “

Robin McGill, CEO of the IET said: “These awards recognise the vital role that innovation in engineering plays in the global economy. On behalf of the IET I would like to congratulate all the winners who have displayed outstanding innovation in their respective categories.”

Charles Gardiner a member of the judging panel said: “Real Time Business Intelligence (RTBI)” is an organisational innovation, aimed at increasing a company’s effectiveness by the novel use of artificial intelligence computing methods. The use of a company ‘dashboard’, with real time business critical information being presented, as an intelligent summation of the knowledge base of the web and other sources was a concept which resonated with the judges. Five patent applications and multiple papers published are testament to this innovation.”

He added that because of the huge interest in the awards this year details of the 2008 awards would be available immediately on the IET web site at: www.theiet.org/innovationawards

The awards have been supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and Make Your Mark in Manufacturing & Engineering.

Photographs of a company representative and Johnny Ball are available from the IET press office, along with contact details for BT.

IET Press Office:
Tony Henderson
Tel: 020 7344 8403
M: 07974 457565
E: tonyhenderson@theiet.org