Attend meetings without travelling with Teesside University's DLab
Sep 30 2010 by John Hill, The Journal
The quarter will be launched on October 21 with a physical event at Teesside University, but those who can’t make it will be able to “attend” online using the virtual space.
McWilliam says: “A standard PC will be able to use this technology.
“It’s just getting companies to adapt to the mindset. All companies are aware there’s a shift in technology coming, and this type of platform will be used in the future, especially for training. The internet is going to be 3D. We can see the changes coming and it will be in the next five years. It’s all about what platform people will be using.
“We’ve got 15 companies who are interested at the moment. They can go on our website and it’s their call whether they want to participate or not. It’s first come, first served.
“If they have no knowledge whatsoever we can give them free technology to create quite elegant- looking models fairly quickly. We encourage them to do that themselves to give them their own flair and we can optimise them so they stream much better on the internet. If they don’t feel they have the necessary skills we can signpost them to companies who can help.
“We’re essentially landowners. We give them the tools, the land and the networking opportunities.”
While Second Life has more of a social networking reputation, McWilliam is looking for the Northern Design Quarter to be directed more towards business to business, with a view to increasing the number of online retail outlets once footfall is established.
He sees it as another option for companies looking to build a reputation and link up with others across the globe.
He says: “One of the things I always stress is that this technology doesn’t replace other technology. If it’s quicker to ring someone, ring someone.
“This is another tool to get people to collaborate in a certain environment. It saves people from travelling all the way to a location when they might only have five minutes’ worth of input.”
Among the companies already on board are engineering firm The Bignall Group, digital agency MAAD Digital, audio visual designer Enigma FX and furniture designer Deadgood.
DLab has also used architectural plans to create a 3D model of the mooted Northern Design Centre, the design space on the drawing board of One North East and Gateshead Council.
The virtual world is not just for SMEs, as there is space for thousands of corporates as well, while curious parties can create an avatar and browse the site.
DLab is working to put the platform on online space known as the cloud, which means that all the heavy processing is done away from the visitor or company server, and the quarter can be accessed using lower-spec PCs and even handheld devices.
McWilliam says: “That will probably prompt more of an uptake. You don’t need expensive equipment, as you can just access it on your iPhone or other handheld device.
“We’re hoping there will be a bit of footfall as well, so we’re creating avatars with artificial intelligence to meet and greet visitors to company plots, and alert businesses to the fact that a visitor has entered their space.”
McWilliam says negotiations are “ongoing” to create an extra quarter, and DLab has ambitions to expand the space.
Due to regulations attached to the funding, the space on which the current virtual world stands must be cleared of development after funding ends in June 2012, so DLab would look to transplant the entire site and its residents to another spot. McWilliam hopes to have created a vibrant community of retail, small business and corporates by that point.
He says: “This is great for SMEs, who are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to get into the marketplace.”
