Measuring technological readiness for more effective innovation management -
INO transfers new technology development model to Brio Conseils

QUEBEC CITY, May 13 /CNW Telbec/ - INO (Institut national d'optique) has just forged a major partnership with Brio Conseils to provide Canadian businesses with an innovative technology development model. Brio Conseils will use this new management tool developed by INO-the first to integrate technological readiness levels (TRL) into the development process-to further enhance the effectiveness of the management consulting services it provides to its clients and partners, from scientific research through to production.

"INO has built its reputation by supplying Canadian companies with technology solutions that increase their competitiveness. With this high-potential technology transfer, Brio Conseils and the Canadian research centers and businesses it serves will have access to a unique and simple technology development process that is readily adaptable to a wide range of projects and incorporates best engineering practices. In essence, our aim is to help them manage innovation better by using effective, efficient, and carefully developed indicators," explained INO president and CEO Jean-Yves Roy.

Initially developed by NASA and refined by INO, the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) approach is used to closely monitor the progress of different types of projects of variable scope and ensure their development to the required level. From the scientific research and typical alpha, beta, and preproduction phases all the way to production, implementation of this new methodology generates significant benefits, notably in terms of project and risk management, business development and intellectual property strategies, project portfolio balancing, and more efficient resource allocation.

"For Brio Conseils, the transfer comes as the result of a multi-year collaboration with INO that will benefit manufacturing firms, research centers, and even Canadian and international universities. By pooling our experience and expertise with INO's know-how, we seek to give performance-oriented Canadian businesses and organizations with a stake in technological innovation the opportunity to enhance performance by benefiting not only from acknowledged best practices, but also the high added value of this managerial innovation. Thanks to this breakthrough approach, organizations will be able to develop their technologies and products more efficiently and help boost Canada's leadership even further," noted Brio Conseils founding partner Richard Dancause.

About Brio Conseils

Brio coaches organizations through change. Brio's experts step in when the time comes to identify, prioritize, plan, and initiate a significant business transformation; successfully deliver a predefined project; and help managers acquire the expertise, knowledge, know-how, and tools to better define, support, conduct, and deliver successful transformations. Depending on the situation, we work with our clients to single out where transformation is needed, decide on the steps required to bring it about, determine which measures will get people on board and moving in the right direction, and finally, identify the best ways to capitalize on the expected benefits.

Brio Conseils (www.brioconseils.com) has a strong track record of achievement in public institutions and private organizations, including major manufacturing companies and Canadian R&D Centers, one of which is INO.

About INO

A leading technology designer and developer, INO is Canada's largest center for industrial optics and photonics expertise. It is an international leader in its field, having completed over 4,000 R&D contracts to date for Canadian companies in a variety of fields. INO has performed 43 technology transfers, and created 26 new high-tech startups. It boasts more than 220 employees, most of them researchers, scientists, and technicians who contribute to INO's international reputation. In 2007, INO was one of seven organizations recognized by the Canadian government as a research and marketing center of excellence.

www.ino.ca

For further information: Marie-Josée Laflamme, Communications Manager, INO, [phone], [email protected]; Christophe Deutsch, Vice President, Operations, INO, [phone], [email protected]; Richard Dancause, Founding Partner, Brio Conseils, [phone], [email protected]