توسعه و بازاریابی خدمات ثبت اختراع اطلاعات برای شرکت های کوچک و متوسط ​​(SME ها) بیرمنگام، انگلستان

The Patent Information Service of Birmingham Central Library was re-assessed in the light of changing customer requirements and new opportunities to better meet those needs. A substantial funding injection enabled research to be carried out and the results put into practice, e.g., in expanding the range of services – with particular emphasis on helping small and medium enterprise (SME) businesses, and in positive marketing of the services, rather than the previous passive provision of services. The resulting integrated business and intellectual property service was then re-branded as `Business Insight' and given wide promotion in the Birmingham area.

Birmingham Central Library provides a regional patent service as one of the participants in the UK Patent Information Network. In the last 2 years there have been a number of developments and enhancements to Birmingham's service. Before examining some of these changes it is useful to examine the context of the service and some salient issues.

The BBIIPS project and ERDF grant has given Birmingham Central Library an opportunity to market and target its business information services to SMEs. It has also enabled a refocusing and redevelopment of the Patents service. As a result of these opportunities the Library's business information services are attracting new business and increasing use by existing customers. With the challenges of the Internet as a business information resource this injection of cash and development of services could not have come at a better time.