VBN software powers 50 online networking communities.

M2 PRESSWIRE-22 October 2002-Virtual Business Network: VBN software powers 50 online networking communities (C)1994-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:10222002

A pioneering Cambridge company is playing a vital role in fostering European business innovation, with its software powering no less than 50 different networking community websites.

The latest community to choose Virtual Business Network (VBN) is Huddersfield University, which will use the technology to develop and link several regional business networks, such as a Manufacturing Excellence Club and an Incubation Network.

But VBN's software platform is used daily by diverse organisations** ranging from 'cluster' groups backed by Regional Development Agencies to university business groups and industry trade associations, including two in continental Europe. And the common theme for all is innovation.

VBN's founder and managing director Dr Simon Elliott developed the first database-driven system for the Cambridge Network, the high technology community at the heart of the Cambridge Phenomenon, and it has acted as a model for many similar ventures. He says: 'Without exception, all the networking communities for whom we develop websites have at their core the desire to create something new and better through change.

'Whatever the initial reason people have come together to form a network, they are able to make and maintain contact with others, and to run an effective membership infrastructure through the use of the software alone.

'Our back office administration system combines both content and membership management, achieving the unique benefit of enabling organisations to manage all their membership business from one simple-to-use web browser.'

VBN supports the development of the successful client network once a website is built, with best practice hosting and technical support, together with an active user group of clients and ongoing consultancy.

Aware that successful networks depend on physical contact and face-to-face meetings as well as virtual ones, it has also developed modules to facilitate online event registration and ticketing, for example.

** A list of all 50 VBN sites can be found at http://www.vbnonline.com/

About Virtual Business Network

Virtual Business Network (VBN) formed in 1999 as a spinout from leading telecoms strategy consultancy Analysys is the UK market leader in building and supporting online business networks.

Everywhere you look people and organisations are getting together in communities. Whether such communities form out of common interest, common geography or shared purpose, all have a fundamental need to gather people together, to make and maintain contact.

VBN's in-house developed database-driven software platform meets this need and more. It facilitates effective virtual networking via the Internet, and uniquely enables community organisations to manage both ongoing contact with members including online payment for subscriptions and events, for example and regularly changing website content. This is achieved through a simple interface that gives controlled access to multiple users, and an easy-to-use 'back office' editing and administration system.

A common thread of all VBN communities is the fundamental need to create an 'innovation network', where nurturing a culture of participation (both on and offline) will lead to improvements in the economy, infrastructure or business environment. It hosts and supports sites for some 40 clients* ranging from the renowned high technology community, Cambridge Network for which the first VBN software was developed to the industry sector organisation for biotechnology in Ireland. Other clients include RDA-backed 'cluster' groups, University business networks, Chambers of Commerce and Business Links, Royal Institutes and trade associations. Two are based in continental Europe in Leuven, Belgium and Munich, Germany.

VBN has broken new ground by opening up the means for clients' websites to share the same database, where appropriate, creating a 'network of networks'to enable the sharing of content within an enlarged community.

Based In Cambridge, VBN is led by the company's founder and managing director, Dr Simon Elliott.

CONTACT: Dr Simon Elliott, MD Tel: +44 (0)1223 707 600 e-mail: enquiries@vbonline.com Holdsworth Associates Tel: +44 (0)1954 202 789

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