Image
SOFTECH ICT - Center for multimedia technologies and deep learning
Published on 10 April 2018
Italy
Emilia-Romagna
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
SOFTECH was founded in 2011 as a joint initiative of the Department of Engineering and the Department of Economics of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. The two research specializations bring an advanced platform of services that blends ICT-Information & Communication Technologies and multimedia competences and business modelling. Softech’s core ICT competences include: robotics, IoT, artificial intelligence, big data, simulation and modelling, software as service architecture, new software architecture.
SOFTECH services are open to third-party access and are characterized by a technology transfer model hinged both on ICT collaborative projects with firms (up to the prototyping phase) and on a “training academy” model in the era of deep learning for firms, covering multimedia technologies, visual computing, learning technologies and management and technological insight. The academy offers the unique competencies of the Softech core team and of other multimedia data scientists and engineers.
SOFTECH main target sectors include: manufacturing industry, logistics, cultural and creative industries and the education sectors.
SOFTECH is also committed to develop digital strategies that enhance the role of human capital in the management of cultural and communication services, while increasing the uptake of smart digital solutions. In this regard it has been a partner of an ESF-European Social Fund program for digital humanities.
SOFTECH services are open to third-party access and are characterized by a technology transfer model hinged both on ICT collaborative projects with firms (up to the prototyping phase) and on a “training academy” model in the era of deep learning for firms, covering multimedia technologies, visual computing, learning technologies and management and technological insight. The academy offers the unique competencies of the Softech core team and of other multimedia data scientists and engineers.
SOFTECH main target sectors include: manufacturing industry, logistics, cultural and creative industries and the education sectors.
SOFTECH is also committed to develop digital strategies that enhance the role of human capital in the management of cultural and communication services, while increasing the uptake of smart digital solutions. In this regard it has been a partner of an ESF-European Social Fund program for digital humanities.
Resources needed
Staff of 50 people (mainly part time); annual turnover of 1 ml euro.
Funding on membership fees, national/ regional projects, private funding arising from the offer of technological services (i.e. commercial research projects). Training initiatives (Masterclass) receive national and private funds
Funding on membership fees, national/ regional projects, private funding arising from the offer of technological services (i.e. commercial research projects). Training initiatives (Masterclass) receive national and private funds
Evidence of success
- 40 firms are part of the Scientific Board of the Softech’s Master Class; one third of these firms have entered collaborative projects with Softech;
- design of solutions for top class firms as for instance Panasonic and in general for a wide range of firms, from the automotive (eg.Ferrari) to the cultural (e.g. Liu-Jo) and food sector (e.g. Cevico Group). For example, a lab focused on computer vision applied to the automotive field has been established with the support of Ferrari SpA
- design of solutions for top class firms as for instance Panasonic and in general for a wide range of firms, from the automotive (eg.Ferrari) to the cultural (e.g. Liu-Jo) and food sector (e.g. Cevico Group). For example, a lab focused on computer vision applied to the automotive field has been established with the support of Ferrari SpA
Potential for learning or transfer
- The advanced training practices of Softech can be seen as examples of transfer of competences and knowledge to firms, via advanced learning methodologies;
- Thanks to its integrated capacity model, Softech supervises two key regional value chains (within the new regional program for High technology network in Emilia-Romagna) related to ICT in cultural and creative industries and to service innovation (cultural heritage and Industry 4.0).
- Its capacity to integrate different ICT, technological, and managerial competence allows Softech to develop customised solution for different types of firms.
- Thanks to its integrated capacity model, Softech supervises two key regional value chains (within the new regional program for High technology network in Emilia-Romagna) related to ICT in cultural and creative industries and to service innovation (cultural heritage and Industry 4.0).
- Its capacity to integrate different ICT, technological, and managerial competence allows Softech to develop customised solution for different types of firms.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Inter-departmental Center of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Italy
Emilia-Romagna
Contact
Project manager