Industrial Digitalisation Technology Centre
Making digital technology work for you
Making digital technology work for you
This project was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
The Industrial Digitalisation Technology Centre (IDTC) supported SMEs in the Tees Valley to explore the opportunities that Industry 2.0 to Industry 4.0 technologies brought, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, modelling, simulation, and sensor technology. This created an essential competitive edge that generated real value for businesses. As an SME seeking time, production, or financial efficiencies - perhaps all three, IDTC recognised that there was no one-size-fits-all approach to digitalisation. Businesses all had different starting points and levels of risk they felt comfortable with. We understood that the level of risk investing in new projects was often higher for SMEs, who juggled multiple priorities with less resources, compared to counterparts in larger organisations.
The IDTC provided a way for SMEs to de-risk their investment. We worked with you to structure an innovation project that was practical and pragmatic and, most importantly, at the right pace and level for your business. We broke down the jargon and buzzwords to explore the opportunities available and helped you bridge the gap between where your business was then and where it needed to be. Building on the University's reputation for innovation, academic excellence, world-class research, and industrial experience, the IDTC offered consultancy and mentoring for digitalization projects that typically lasted from 12 hours to 3 months of support. The IDTC offered SMEs a practical opportunity to investigate the digital tools and services available to help a business plan its digitalization journey. The IDTC project achieved its goal supporting SMES within the Tees Valley with digital technologies and the project was finished by the 28 June 2023.
Organisations at this level of digitalisation include businesses that operate with legacy equipment, little to no sensor devices for collecting real-time data, and perhaps only a basic material requirements planning (MRP) system. Paper-based tracking & ordering is usual, as is manual data entry and so on. The vast majority of SMEs within the manufacturing sector fall into this category.
Read more
Serious Play Facilities within the IDTC for Industry 2.0 businesses include the following:
Organsiations at this level of digitalisation include businesses that are more advanced than I2.0 and will most likely operate relevant enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for job/part tracking. Industry 3.0 businesses have usually adopted sensor devices for collecting real-time data, QR code scanners, devices with increased processing power, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and so on.
Read more
Serious Play Facilities within the IDTC for Industry 3.0 businesses include the following:
Industry 4.0 describes the fourth industrial revolution and the underlying digital transformation in today's business and the consumer market. Businesses in this category rely heavily on smart sensors, live data analysis, process automation & control, and prediction of a possible outcome either on a physical machine or virtual transfer.
Read more
Serious Play Facilities within the IDTC for Industry 4.0 businesses include the following:
Immersive technology is transforming the world around us and will become a significant part of our everyday lives. Find out how you can transform your business.
Find out more
Mikey Thompson
Project Manager
Mikey leads the Industrial Digitalisation Technology Centre (IDTC) program and engages local SMEs directly to help them engage in R&D and innovation activity. His role covers both the day-to-day operations of the Centre, as well as the long-term goals and aspirations of the IDTC in the wider landscape of digital transformation. Mikey's background experience in coordinating teams, maintaining customer liaison and working as a project lead for proposal creation for multinational corporations in the iron & steel industry, compliment the activities of his current role at IDTC.
Dave Spencer
Business Innovation Manager
Dave is responsible for promoting the services of the IDTC to a wider audience. He works with local SMEs to identify and address innovation needs through effective liaison, diagnosis and sourcing of appropriate support. He helps businesses understand what technology is available and how it can impact the growth and sustainability of a business. Dave's experience working with businesses over many years gave him an appreciation of the problems businesses face and the challenges they need to overcome in order to grow.
Martin Holliday
Business Innovation Manager
Martin is responsible for the management of innovation projects that develop through the centre. After many enjoyable years working in a worldwide capacity at a leading project and programme management consultancy, he returned to study full time towards a MSc in IT Project Management, graduating with distinction. In addition to his role, Martin is also studying towards a PhD. His research aims to explore artificial intelligence and gamification in an industrial context, meaning there is often lots of crossover between the innovations he is studying in academia and the innovations he is managing in industry.
Jade Davies
Marketing, Comms & Events Co-ordinator
Jade is responsible for all aspects in marketing and events, overseeing B2B social media activity, providing coordination for the IDTC in arranging and delivering events. She also supports the delivery and promotion of business-focused events, e-campaigns and marketing information, and providing evaluation reports to inform future marketing strategy. Jade is also studying a master's degree in digital marketing, gaining insight to Industry 4.0.
Ibukunoluwa Boboye
Cyber Physical System Innovation Technician
Ibukunoluwa Boboye's role as a Cyber Physical System Innovation Technician is centred around digitalising and upscaling SMEs from Industry 2.0 to Industry 4.0 technologies, making use of Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, and sensor technology. His role focuses on innovation, automation, process control, and remote monitoring using sensors, building on his range of experience in Mechatronics Engineering and Instrumentation and Control.
Bhargav Reddy Vanga
Smart Data Innovation Technician
Bhargav is responsible for providing data-driven solutions to SMEs, using Siemens IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) platform, Mindsphere. He also develops working web prototypes for clients using low-code approach and Agile Methodologies. Bhargav has an MSc in Data Science and an MSc in Software Engineering which helps him to excel in this role.
Fitzroy Meyer-Petgrav
Data Analytics Developer
Fitzroy's role as a Data Analytics Developer is to assist SMEs in collecting and analysing data for their products/services/systems as they transition from Industry 2.0 to 4.0 technologies. He works closely with the Innovation Manager, Project Manager, and clients to identify their data needs and develop custom analytics solutions. Fitzroy uses his experience in business development and expertise in visualisation, analytics, and cloud computing to help clients make the most of their data and drive growth and success for their businesses. He is also working towards a Master's degree in Data Science to further enhance his skills and knowledge in the field.
Harsha Vanga
Data Analytics Developer
Harsha Vanga's role as a Data Analytics developer for the IDTC is responsible for providing data processing and data analytics to support SMEs, to enhance everyday activities. He also assists the Project Manager and Business Innovation Managers with the development of proof of concepts for new and innovative digital solutions. Harsha's tasks range from data filtering and data processing and creating interactive dashboards using Microsoft Power BI and providing support in developing innovative web technologies. This builds upon his existing experience in Web Development, Business and Marketing as well as Data Analytics expertise.
Mohamed Elshazly
Data Analytics Developer
Mohamed is responsible for providing analytical support to SMEs in the development of new digital products, services, and systems as part of the Industrial Digitalisation Technology Centre. He provides technical assistance to the IDTC Project Manager and academic support team in their day-to-day delivery of support to SMEs, as well as close collaboration with the technicians. Mohamed has a focus on research and innovation in industrial digitalisation, and he holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering with a research background on ERP implementations in SMEs.
Sue Morgan
Project Administrator
Sue is responsible for all aspects of administration, providing office management services, liaising with schools and other service departments to ensure the smooth running of the IDTC project. Sue supports events and wider business engagement and undertakes external liaison with businesses and external agencies. Sue ensures full compliance with all European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) paperwork and CRM processes. Sue also assists the Project Manager with financial monitoring.
We guarantee quality. All our business services carry the Customer First Standard, a quality mark recognising excellent customer service. And we can also help you source financial support.
Our business service charter sets out our commitment to a professional business service for all our clients.
