Technology Strategy Board unites knowledge transfer networks

The Digital Systems KTN will bring together government, academia and business to drive innovation

Government advisory body the Technology Strategy Board today announced a merging of its three knowledge transfer network (KTN) organisations into a single body to be known as the Digital Systems KTN.

The new organisation will comprise the three former KTNs - Cyber Security, Grid Computing Now! and Location and Timing - with the same remit of bringing together government, academia and business to drive technology innovation in the UK.

The Digital Systems KTN will host conferences and online meetings, provide members with guidance on funding sources and allow them to influence future policy decisions.

The group will cover major areas of IT interest, such as mobility, cloud computing and GPS systems, according to its director Ian Osbourne.

"We built over the past four or five years 400 to 500+ member communities, so we want to find our where the overlaps are and where the synergies are," he explained. "Mobility is one, and cloud security is another, where Tony [Dyhouse of the Cyber Security KTN] and his team can add value to what my team is doing. "

The Digital Systems KTN project will run for 18 months under the current funding structure, Osbourne said.