Overview of UK GRID Promotion Activities – DTI Technology Programme, Current Market Situation & KTN Strategy, Ian Osborne, Grid Computing Now! Knowledge Transfer Network

By Ian Osborne (IECnet Knowledge Transfer Network, UK)

ABSTRACT

The UK Department of Trade and Industry has recently introduced several new tools in its approach to transferring knowledge to organizations in public and private sectors of the UK economy. Most notably, as part of the Technology Strategy, the DTI Innovation Unit has introduced, Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTN) in several fields key to economic development. These Networks aim to link experts in selected fields to practitioners operating in the field. The Grid Computing Now! KTN, established in February 2005, is one of the first examples of such a development. This talk will give an overview of the Technology Strategy, Grid market Situation and activities of the Grid Computing Now! KTN.

The speaker will split the time roughly 50:50 between DTI Technology Strategy and the role of the KTN; and Grid Computing, market challenges and the activities underway.

BIODATA

Ian Osborne was appointed Grid Computing Now! Project Manager for Intellect at the start of the Project in February 2005. Grid Computing Now! is a Knowledge Transfer Network project, funded as part of the DTI Technology Programme, which is aimed at transferring the knowledge and capabilities necessary to demonstrate the value of Grid Computing Technologies in UK public and private sectors. Intellect is leading this project in partnership with the National e-Science Centre in Edinburgh, a world leader in Grid Computing Technologies for e-Science. The leading technology suppliers within the IT industry are also heavily involved in providing leadership and support for the project. Ian has worked in IT since 1972. He trained as a Computer Programmer at Cornhill Insurance before stints with British Airways and International Computers Limited.

In 1979, Ian joined the Hewlett-Packard Company where he was to enjoy a substantial career working in Research & Development, Quality and Marketing at HP's locations in the US and UK. He held senior management positions in HP's European Research Laboratories and more recently with its Telecom Systems Business, focused on Operational Support Systems for the world's communications service providers. Ian left in October 2003 to establish his own consultancy company, serving the needs of start-up organizations in Scotland. He also established links with Cranfield University's School of Management where he is an Executive Associate and an Executive Doctoral student. Ian's research interests are in the application of Learning Networks to improving business innovation. Ian has a Masters Degree in the Management of Technology, a joint degree awarded by the Universities of Sussex and Brighton in 1992. He is a Member of the British Computer Society.