Businesses looking for information or project partners now have an easier way to connect with industry experts, federal labs, universities, Ohio's Edison and Wright centers and even other for-profit companies.
OMNI, managed as a joint venture between the Ohio Department of Development and the Board of Regents and spearheaded by Cincinnati-based TechSolve -- the Ohio Edison Center responsible for assisting manufacturers primarily in the aerospace and defense industries -- was rolled out in a "soft launch" to limited users late last month. When fully populated, the portal will serve as a clearinghouse for a vast array of information and resources as well as a space for collaborative work.
TechSolve President Gary Conley says the key to the service is an advanced search function and collaborative capabilities built by Ohio Third Frontier recipient Zakta, of Cincinnati.
OMNI will make it possible for a user to find help he or she may need more quickly by tapping a data base of Ohio experts and resource links. A company with a particular problem can post a "challenge," which will automatically be sent to OMNI participants who have expertise in that area, Conley says.
"Or, if I have a particular technology, I can search the challenges and send an e-mail and say 'I can help,'" he adds.
The parties can then connect privately outside of OMNI -- or work together real-time using shared space on OMNI � to tackle the challenge. Each OMNI participant also has the option to keep his or her space private, organizing into folders information found on the web or passed along by others, or to open up those articles, images or videos to share with everyone.
Conley says OMNI solves a problem that has existed for a long time -- how businesses can find resources to help with technological obstacles or other issues. Hard copy directories were static and stayed on shelves, Conley says. OMNI will be flexible and agile, with an ability to add resources constantly.
At last count, OMNI had 1,200 individuals and nearly 500 companies in the data base. The portal currently is populated with aerospace and advanced materials resources, with biotech to come soon.
Source: Gary Conley, TechSolve
Writer: Gene Monteith