Revolutionising Access to Academic Research for Business
Background
The RED Directory (Research Excellence Data) was
a joint venture between the South East England
Development Agency (SEEDA) and the University
of Sussex. It stood as the first tool of its kind in the
country, providing businesses of all sizes—from
startups to large corporations—with direct access
to world-class academic knowledge in the South
East of England.
The directory is a compilation of information from
universities and colleges across the region, verified
by an expert panel. It focuses on business-centric
needs, providing commercially-focused research
and identifying experts who can offer advice and
support on how to engage with specific Higher
Education Institutions.
The Challenge
A Usable and Fast Solution
SEEDA had specific requirements for the RED Directory to meet several key performance indicators. The platform needed to be an intuitive, straight for ward, and easy-to-use tool with a robust search function. The search results had to be clearly defined, even while handling complex queries and connecting areas of information that wouldn’t normally be linked.
In addition to this functionality, the website required a complete visual redesign to enhance its usability and give it a more professional appearance. All of these requirements had to be delivered within an exceptionally tight deadline.
The Solution
A Collaborative and Expert Approach
We worked in close partnership with SEEDA to ensure all requirements were met within the specified timeline. Our designers collaborated directly with the development team and SEEDA, continually testing the search functionality to ensure it returned correct information in a meaningful and intuitive way.
The resulting design was clean and highly professional. The search was split into a basic keyword search and a more detailed Advanced Search (or “parametric find”) that allowed for further filtering
of results. To deliver on the contract, we leveraged our expertise in multiple areas, including artificial intelligence, database design, interface design, and application development using PHP with a MySQL database and LAMP technologies.
The Result
Exceeding Expectations and Driving Engagement
Delivered within the given timeframe, the new RED Directory now outperforms its original key performance indicators. The interface is extremely user-friendly, and SEEDA has access to reporting that allows them to track site usage, analyse the types
of searches made, and follow up with users who have engaged with Higher Education Institutions through the directory. The site also includes different style sheets that enable clear, print-friendly versions of the information.
Professor Anthony Moore, Deputy Vice Chancellor
at the University of Sussex, praised the new platform:
“I believe businesses, large and small, nationally and internationally, will be delighted with the RED Directory. Increased research and development activity will help businesses grow, become more productive and more competitive in today’s world markets. Industry now has a main access point for useful information on research excellence with a
potential application to their needs.”