Cambridge Cluster Map Original
Celebrating its 6th birthday., this Cambridge cluster map has just over 800 entries in its dynamic free online database. This is a lower number than you might expect for the Cambridge hihg tech ecosystem. It is a full list, but only of the Tier One high-tech companies. What are these? These are the ones with intellectual property or equivalent research and development or design or code inputs that can be scaled and sold into markets globally and/or locally. As such this is the nub of the amazing cluster that is the base of Cambridge's cluster. Service providers in law or marketing are left to one side so that you can reach the gems quickly.
Wood from trees
This cluster tool includes only genuine IP holding, research spending companies from the private sector. As such it is a wonderful productivity tool for those operating in the part of the economy that generates wealth in the UK. Google searches tend to produce, as we all know, a list that is not always sifted for the gems.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
Since 2006, there have been lists produced, even though this original cluster map was for years linked from the front page of the Cambridge Network website, and oft used by savvy businesspeople. Now, there are two groups copying and extending this early feat.
The first comes from the PR and marketing side. Cambridge Phenomenon (CP) put on a conference celebrating the Cambridge cluster a couple of years ago, and have recently released the excellent coffee table book by the same name as their company, crediting the key players for the cluster. CP's Director Mr Cotton was kind enough to describe CIR as an "unsung hero" of the Cambridge cluster. This map does not appear to have been released as of September 2012, but had great promise in beta test meetings, with the unique aspect being the historic picture and timeline of the development of the cluster.
The second involves Cambridge University and SVC2UK and other local groups, and will run off the concept of "open innovation" and deep data ICT methods. A recent spread in Business Weekly showed this off. It is an open model that included all networks in the cluster, except the one that created the original cluster map. CIR was offered "data partnership" with this new cluster map project.
These new models are wishing to be the "go-to" dynamic maps for the cluster in the future. The CIR cluster map tool will remain the dynamic tool that it is, undergoing makeovers and updates of data, but will remain the simple productivity tool it always set out to be, understandable and usable by anyone that can use a browser.
Sector mapping
The original Cambridge Cluster map tool opens with a random sector, from a list of 10 key ones, and a random company as a geocoded, marker bubble, set on the Cambridge area map provided by Google Maps. The marker bubble simply displays the key link to the company in question, its name, sector, and a short description of the business. The bubble is therefore a launch pad for the company website itself.
Dynamic search tool
Another function is the dynamic search tool. Type in the search term you want, such as "research" and a list of tier one technology companies will appear on the map soon afterwards, which have research in their name or description. These fit on to the map, dynamically numbered and coloured by sector, with number, name, link and description text provided down the left hand side of the page. Each marker can be clicked upon to see full information, again, without reloading the page.
CIR's database was apparently hacked in August 2012, with all current data deleted. Fortunately CIR kept a backup and the database has been secured and restored.
CIR continues to fund and support this free Cambridge cluster map tool, unfunded. In the first four years of running the cluster map, CIR collected data from an online form, like the newer CU version, but withdrew this when the data set was near complete, since it was able to monitor new arrivals and dissolutions itself from news alerts.
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