“Specialized Competitive Technical Intelligence Services for SMEs”

1. “Specialized Competitive Technical Intelligence Services for SMEs” Sebastien Prince-Richard Business Analyst – Fuel Cells Ottawa 14 February 2001

2. Outline • CTI for technology SMEs • What, Why, the Need • The fuel cell CI/CTI initiative • Why fuel cells? • The service • The vision of a CI/CTI network

3. What Is CTI Again? • CI that focuses on the technological dimensions of competition: • Technology trends • R&D strategies and capabilities • Technology and patent portfolios • Manufacturing capabilities… • A powerful management tool for technology companies and organizations

4. Why a CTI Service? • SMEs often do not have the necessary resources to perform proper CI/CTI • The impact of CTI can be determinant on: • R&D orientations • Choice of corporate partners, alliances • Product development & commercialization strategy • Manufacturing techniques • …

5. Ultimately, the value of the service lies in: • Time saving • Key information, insights The Need • Survey completed by CIMI to identify needs in Fuel Cell CTI and market intelligence revealed: • Respondents value competitive and market intelligence, as long as info is relevant and current • In general, no standardized method of gathering CTI or Market Intelligence (self rating 6.1 and 6.4/10) • Preference for value-added analysis with access to raw data • Preference for info delivered electronically • Should complement info available elsewhere, e.g. Internet

6. The Fuel Cell CTI Initiative • Project initiated by CIMI in 2000 with support from NRC IRAP • Primary clients: Canadian SMEs, IRAP clients • One of the first specialized CI/CTI services within IRAP

7. Why Fuel Cells? • Critical role in fundamental transformations of energy technologies and markets • Convergence of market drivers in 3 sectors: • Clean Transportation • Distributed Power Generation • High energy portable electronics • Canada in a leadership position

8. 40 Total Market Size ($ billion) 0 2000 2010 Applications Projected Market Size by 2010 ($ billion /yr) * Stationary 20 Transport 15 Portable / Battery 5 * Source: Johnson-Matthey Fuel Cell Markets Projected annual growth rate: 35-75 %

9. Ballard $ 500 M Global Thermoelectric $ 125 M Stuart Energy Systems $ 150 M Hydrogenics $ 117 M Dynetek $ 40 M $ 1 Billionraised by Canadian Companies Canadians in Fuel Cells

10. Specific reports Expertise & product database Monthly updates Alerts Information management Value-added analysis & synthesis The Tools to Provide CTI Collection Treatment Dissemination Conference material World Wide Web Database info Newsletters Patents Nexis / Dialog Fuel Cell Network CISTI NRC-IRAP-CTN

11. Services • Requests and Consulting • Quick requests (2-3 pages) • In-depth requests (8-10 pages) • Database • Directory of companies + organizations • Monthly CTI & market updates • Distributed electronically (3-5 pages) • Alerts • Efficient distribution to targeted clients

12. Concrete Examples of Requests • Competitionof Zinc-air systems for FC bikes • Technology match for high efficiency burner technology • Analysis of component value in innovative fuel cell hybrid system • Trend forecastingof fuelling options for FCVs • Patent searchfollowing targeted monitoring

13. Value-added Information • Database  Quick identification of: • Competitors • Suppliers • Potential partners (technical, commercial, financial) • In addition to technical expertise, emphasis on alliances / partnerships and location • Monthly updates • Focused CTI on one aspect • Synthesis and analysis of recent developments

14. The Networks Involved • Fuel Cell Network • Local (Universities, companies,institutes…) • Canadian • International • CISTI: Information specialist • NRC: Fuel Cell Technology Center • IRAP: ITA Network • CTN

15. CISTI – Information Specialist Specialized Network CIMI – Specialized CI/CTI Analyst Value-added information IRAP – Industrial Technical Advisors CTN and NRC Networks SME – IRAP client A Model for CTI Assistance

16. CISTI – Ottawa CIMI (BC) ? (Prairies) ?? (…) Info Specialists Specialized CI/CTI Analysts #1 #2 #3 #… Fuel Cells Biotech Wireless … IRAP – Industrial Technical Advisors Value-added information SME – IRAP client An Expanded Model CTN and NRC Networks CTI Network parallels & supports ITA Network

17. Key Points • Proper CTI is critical to maximize chances of success in technology companies • Specialized CTI assistance: • Increases the competitiveness of Canadian SMEs • Is alogical step to improve support to tech SMEs • Adds value to the technology networks in Canada