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Introduction
A world leader in integrated, high technology land defence systems, Vickers Defence Systems (VDS) enjoys an industrial heritage dating to 1847 and ranging from submarines and aircraft, through ships and tanks, to prestige cars such as Rolls Royce. Today, VDS is responsible for a diverse group of products and services, including: armoured vehicles and sub-systems; training and simulation; bridging; logistic support; proof and experimental ranges; and systems integration.
The Problem
The Vickers management realise that the company's future success lies with the innovation of their employees. Within many companies, the process of harnessing team members' ideas is haphazard, potentially losing valuable projects for future business. Orchid Software recognised this and in response developed the Ideas Log application.
The Solution
By providing one central location - within the Vickers intranet - for new ideas to be posted and evolved, the Ideas Log utilises company wide intellectual resources. An idea whose relevance may not be seen by an employee's immediate managers could be picked up by staff in other areas of the business. A semi-anonymous, software based system also enables shy or new team members to publicise their ideas, free of embarrassment.
Orchid Software's aims for the Ideas Log were to:
| Encourage and distribute innovation across all levels of the business |
| Provide recognition to employees for their ideas |
| Provide rapid analysis and early decision on ideas |
| Make available funds to promote ideas where feasible |
| Provide full visibility and tracking of ideas |
| Formalise the administration, development, reporting, decision making and authorisations in the ideas process |
Application features
Through close consultation with the end users at Vickers, Orchid Software were able to develop an application which has been responsible for the development of over 200 ideas in its first year of deployment. The resulting interface and underlying software systems have employed the following key features:
| A simple means of capturing ideas from employees |
| A filtering system for ideas based on technical and commercial viability. Ideas can be put forward, held for future development or scrapped |
| A search system to locate specific and related ideas |
| Provides feedback on an idea's progress to employees |
| Institutes an Ideas Assessment Panel who can swiftly evaluate and classify an idea and co-opt the necessary expertise to approve or investigate ideas |
| Facilitates the allocation and tracking of funds for concept investigation and development |
| Records review decisions, through a status flag which is sensitive to changes in the idea's status as it progresses through the review process |
| Enables notes and comments to attached to ideas |
| Links within the system for cross referencing |
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“Staff at Orchid are always extremely friendly and helpful. They listen to requirements and make suggestions using their extensive knowledge of web-based technology. These guys will work through the night to deliver the goods, I have no hesitation in recommending them”
Anne Wilkinson, Project Manager, BAE Systems |
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“I have no hesitation in recommending (Orchid Software).”
Anne Wilkinson, Project Manager, BAE Systems |
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