Welcome

Steve Brewer

On behalf of the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigators of ITaaU Network+ I would like to welcome you to the first monthly newsletter for the IT as a Utility Network+. The ramp up of network activity in March has resulted in an increase in numbers and also a substantial number of visitors to the website.

There are 79 members on the network mailing list which is what essentially defines the Network+ and this newsletter is published as part of this Jisc service. If you are not on the list please join and also please do encourage others too, who might benefit from the Network+.

Successful Pilot Projects

Two projects have been selected for funding from the first Pilot Project call, they are:

Trusted Tiny Things

The project is led by Edoardo Pignotti, Peter Edwards, Computing Science, University of Aberdeen. Nagendra Velaga, Geography & Environment, University of Aberdeen.

This project addresses some of the challenges inherent in developing the vision of the Internet of Things (IoT) as a dynamic global network of sensors and the like, based on standard and interoperable communication protocols.

Uplands Rescue Resiliance

This project addresses the challenges of achieving rapid and resilient communications between civilian mobile devices and outside agencies such as first responders in remote regions.

The project is led by Eliane Bodanese, Queen Mary University of London, John Clarkson, Patrick Langdon, University of Cambridge.

Smart Spaces and Diversity: ITaaU workshop - 11 March

The Smart Spaces and Diversity workshop finally took place on the 11 March having been postponed from its original date due to the severe weather after Christmas. We will publish a report on the day shortly on the key issues captured and the recommended follow up actions.

SSI Collaborations Workshop - Oxford

ITaaU Network+ was a silver sponsor at the Software Sustainability Institute (SSI) Collaboration Workshop 2013. A relentless sequence of lightning talks and breakout sessions generated a myriad of viable ideas for projects and other ventures. There was much enthusiasm for the ITaaU secondments and pilot projects, not to mention workshops. It looks certain that a number of compelling ventures will emerge from these two stimulating days at Merton College, Oxford.

Responsive Website redesign with WordPress, new logo and more...

The web site is undergoing a redesign which so far has included a move to a WordPress Responsive framework and a new look in the form of the ITaaU Network+ logo (see above) and other design elements. There is more to be done which will happen over the course of the month of April.

We are analysing web statistics to monitor what our audience is interested in. The new site has attracted 2191 hits during March from over 500 unique visitors.