The presented online cooperation platform was developed to give cluster managers and other cluster stakeholders access to current information and trends. It is set up in form of a Social Network on the topic ‘cluster management’ and offers users/members a central information tool, where knowledge is documented and exchange is fostered. Therefore it is an efficient way to foster exchange between experts, to build up a repository of knowledge including success stories and to present the topic to a broader public. www.FITT-for-Innovation.eu

1. Cluster Collaboration Platform
FITT
– Fostering Interregional Exchange in ICT Technology Transfer –
www.FITT-for-Innovation.eu
Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

2. Online Platform for Cluster Managers
KREATEK is an collaboration cooperation platform developed to give
cluster managers and other cluster stakeholders access to current
information and trends.
The aim of the online platform is to
 document success stories and best practise examples to build up a repository of
internal generated knowledge („learn from the best‟)
 further develop current strategies / approaches
 give cluster beginners a guideline
 offer cluster stakeholders an efficient and easy way of cooperation and networking
 publish and present cluster initiatives to a broader public
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3. Overview: Process in Practice
 Structure of the Platform: www.kreatek.de
Cluster Manual News & Community Monitoring Tool
[see Practice Cluster Manual] [see Practice Network
Information Management Scorecard]
Focus of this document
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4. Structure of KREATEK (I)
 General website:
- news, information relevant to the KREATEK platform
- a summary of the MFG cluster services portfolio,
- event calendar,
- contact data, etc.
 Features (accessible after registration)
Members can
- advertise events
- read & edit the Cluster Manual
- listen to audio contributions (interviews with cluster experts)
- subscribe RSS feed
- connect and exchange with other members
- download the latest publications
- leave messages
- integrate profiles of well-known social networks like LinkedIn or XING
- comment on cluster topics
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5. Structure of KREATEK (2)
 Community area for cluster initiatives
Private area (in WIKI format) for each initiative
- collaborative work space
- communication possibilities
- working possibilities on documents and strategy development
- direct linkage to cluster websites
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6. Who?
 Stakeholders
• Cluster mangers of German speaking area
(platform is currently only available in German)
• Facts & Figures
- Number of registered Members: 120
- 6 months planning and implementation (in combination with Cluster Guide)
- External agency for platform design
- 1 person part-time (30%) responsible for community support and animation
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7. KREATEK
PRO’s CON’s
 Provides a collaborative work space and
 Members have to first learn how to use this
guidelines for cluster managers
innovative tool
 Bundles know-how and competencies in a
 User acceptance level can be unsatisfying.
very specific area
There is the risk the tool is not used.
 Establishes MFG as a professional cluster
 A lively community has to be initiated.
services provider
Professional surveillance and initiation in
 Promotional tool for Cluster Services the long-run is necessary
 Increases awareness within networks and  Relying on one service provider  Problems
other incubators by developing innovative may occur if provider is changed
tools (compatibility, maintenance)
 New business models can be developed  Implementation costs AND ongoing costs of
support
 It is available 24/7 and from everywhere
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8. Why was the KREATEK Platform started?
Before KREATEK, there was no central pool of information within the area
of cluster management available.
The MFG cluster portfolio
 professionalizes cluster management
 enhances the visibility of clusters
 facilitates efficient cooperation and networking
 offers access to an international network
 alleviates the strategy definition and the visibility of progress
 provides a unique platform regarding cluster-linked topics
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9. Outcome
 First (direct / via email) feedback of users was positive
 Three month after launch: over 120 members
 In 2010, a survey among the members is planned. The feedback will be
used for improvement and development of the platform
 Other projects planning to set up an international platform in the area of
cluster management are interested in the experience gained during the
development and implementation of the online platform
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10. Lessons Learned
 Recommendations
 Calculate the costs of implementation AND maintenance
 Choose carefully a service provider you have confidence in
 Have a nominated person that takes care of the technical side
 Have one person for the content/editorial /user interaction
 Do take into account that further developments, updates (technical
and content-wise) and maintenance are time-consuming and costly
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11. Suggested Readings
 Link to relevant websites
www.kreatek.de
www.clusterobservatory.eu
www.cluster-excellence.eu
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12. Cluster Collaboration Platform tested by
INRIA
 At INRIA we wanted to set up a collaborative platform with the objectives of:
 Creating and organizing a community of innovative SMEs from INRIA‟s
ecosystem and ensuring its sustainability
 Using this community to stimulate technology transfer towards SMEs
 Our approach:
 Define precisely the target groups and analyze their needs – necessity to attract
enough members to attain the objectives
 Design and implement a web portal which will serve as a tool to efficiently
structure and organize the community
 Capitalize on previous communication efforts and concentrate all existing
activities targeting innovative SMEs on one platform, boosting their efficiency
and creating synergies
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13. Lessons learned by INRIA
Lessons Learned
 The preparation work was hard, but useful: one of the important result was the
change of perspective and new look at the INRIA‟s communication policy, in
order to be able to respond to the specific needs of target groups
 There is a need for efficient collaboration between TT Office and
Communication Department, as well as between them and development
engineers, in order to be successful; the Web 2.0 features are a “must have”
 It is necessary to put a lot of efforts to make the created community attractive
and sustainable; allocation of extra human resources for this job should be
seriously considered
 The real outcome of this platform will be assessed after some time, with regards
to its capacity to boost INRIA‟s position as an ICT technology transfer
stakeholder at the national level
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