Hampshire Business Awards

He said "From outstanding scientific or engineering skills, use of information to create an

exciting new product or lateral thinking to solve a problem, this year's entries illustrated how

different styles of innovation can achieve real results in business."

Ordnance Survey

FEW people can have taken a journey at some time in their life without the help of one of Ordnance Survey's maps.

But did you know that this household name is increasingly becoming part of the digital information industry?

As a finalist in the innovation award, Ordnance Survey secured its place thanks to its digital OS MasterMap, one of the world's most advanced geographical frameworks which complements the latest generation of digital mapping data.

OS MasterMap is a definitive and accurate digital map of Great Britain and includes an

impressive half billion features, from forests, roads and rivers, down to individual houses and even post boxes.

The product offers huge potential for businesses, the government and the public, as it provides an accessible, national and continually maintained and intelligent framework to link and associate data.

Recent examples of how the product can be used include allowing mobile phone customers to access maps via mobile phone networks; providing data for property valuations by mortgage lenders; information on cabling for construction

companies and even helping the National Crime and Operations Faculty to build profiles of missing people.

Many of the applications are developed to meet the needs of individual clients, and the

organisation works with customers to deliver intelligent innovative solutions through working in partnership.

Nick said: "The judges were impressed by Ordnance Survey's commitment to research and development, and the way that it has sought to commercialise its products through innovative thinking and working with partners in a variety of different sectors."

Red Funnel Group

WITH a higher population now living on the Isle of Wight, the increased popularity of short breaks and day trips, and the soaring interest in sailing as a leisure activity, ferry operator Red Funnel was finding that business levels had reached capacity at peak times, restricting its ability to grow.

It needed to find a way of increasing capacity in cross-Solent services and, after dismissing the idea of adding a fourth ferry to the fleet, on the grounds of timetabling, cost and logistics, the decision was taken to stretch all three ferries, as well as add an extra deck.

While one modification is not unheard of, to carry out both is highly unusual, and the judges were impressed by the careful planning the company completed to ensure that the bigger ferries were still suitable to operate within the route and that there was minimum disruption to the service during the conversion work.

The stretched ferries also required some pile driving into the sea bed for new bridges to reach the new car deck.

Nick said: "The judges were particularly impressed by Red Funnel's real attention to detail and constant innovative thinking which resulted in the stretched ships costing half the price of a new ship."

Point Source

POINT Source is a classic example of an innovative company which stays at the forefront of its market by developing innovative products in response to the needs of its customers.

The company designs, sells and manufactures fibre-optic and laser products for a number of markets, including biotechnology, semi-conductor and scientific metrology. Its 'iFlex 2000' product was developed after the company recognised a gap in the market for a new type of laser and it was this innovation which helped to secure it a place in this year's final.

The iFlex 2000 is primarily used in the manufacture of semiconductors and biomedical instruments and its major advantage over competitors' products is the stability of the machine's laser beam and the ease in which it can be used in its eventual application.

Since its launch just two years ago, the product now accounts for an impressive 28 per cent of Point Source's sales and has helped the

company increase its market share in the life sciences sector, where it is used in applications which screen for Aids.

The company prides itself on the fact that it doesn't sell 'standard' products, as it constantly adapts each unit to the needs of its customers, meaning that its products are in constant development.

Nick said: "Point Source's use of cutting-edge technology aimed at a variety of applications and sectors, combined with its ability to spot requirements for new products ensures that it is constantly at the forefront of its market."