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New software could save millions for engineering construction projects

23 June 2017

 

A team of entrepreneurs has developed software to help multi-million pound projects in the engineering sector work more efficiently.

Geoff and Ian Cornwell of Kraken IM
Geoff and Ian Cornwell of Kraken IM

Kraken IM, which was founded last year, has been helped to develop thanks to support from Teesside University and DigitalCity.

The company which was founded by Geoff Cornwell and Jordan Holland before being joined by Geoff’s brother Ian is based in the University’s Launchpad business incubator at its Middlesbrough campus.

Kraken has developed a software tool, Halcyon, which captures information throughout the project lifecycle to create a digital asset.

Halycon captures all the data from the teams working on the project by providing a collaboration platform. Halcyon collects not just the data that the teams produce but also the communications that the teams make.

This rich data environment allows them to create predictive models on project performance and risk as well as give an audit trail of all of the decisions that have been made along the way.

'65% of mega projects – construction projects which cost more than a billion dollars – fail.

'Over 50% of project risk is directly attributed to poor communications and 15% of accidents can be attributed to poor information.

'By collecting, analysing and distributing this data, Halcyon is able to reduce much of these risks', said Ian.

He added: 'We are more than just a data management company, we capture history, context and intellectual capital, this helps to give a glimpse into the future and lets teams work better.

'We are helping teams that build projects work and collaborate more efficiently.'

They were also enrolled on the DigitalCity Fellowship scheme which provides financial and mentoring support to entrepreneurs when they launch their business.

Ian said: 'The University has been a huge help to us. It has provided more than just an office space, it has given us access to a network of fantastic mentors. “It’s really helped take a lot of stress out of starting our own business.'

Since late last year the team has gone from strength to strength from pitching to Prince Andrew, selection in the prestigious Thinking Digital Startup competition, DigitalDNA in Belfast and international recognition as one of the top 500 most promising tech start-ups in 2017 for the Pioneers 500 festival in Vienna.

Laura Woods, Director of The Forge, Teesside University’s business hub, said: 'By using data to help projects in the oil and gas sector operate more efficiently and safely, Kraken has the potential to make a huge impact on an industry which has tremendous importance both regionally and internationally.

We are delighted to have been able to offer the company help to develop this innovative product.'


 
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