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32 Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
Annual Report 1999–2002: Volume 2
33
Research Projects at ITB 1999 - 2002
Project Title:
Investigating the potential for XML/EDI in the Healthcare Industry
Description: The objective of this project was to investigate the potential of using XML
(eXtensible Mark-up Language) to facilitate data exchange between GMS (General Medical
Services), pharmacists, doctors, dentists and opticians. The project has successfully
developed a prototype that will transfer existing data from pharmacies to GMS using XML. It
has also been enhanced to facilitate easy conversion to other data exchanges from
pharmacists, doctors, dentists and opticians to GMS.
Project Leaders: Geraldine Gray
Researcher: David Kerwick
Project Commenced: October 1999
Duration: 2 years
Funding Agency: Enterprise Ireland
Project Title:
Virtual Incident Management Centre
Description: The objective of this project is to develop a range of web-based tools which can
be used to support the management of an incident by a distributed incident response team.
The tools include information collection and collation tools (e.g. reporting database) and a
range of communication tools e.g. Notice board, SMS, email, etc. The communication tools
are unified to provide services such as email to SMS or Noticeboard to email/SMS
The project is an Enterprise Ireland-funded project with sponsorship from Risk Management
International (RMI).
Project Leaders: Declan Barber and Anthony Keane
Researcher: Paul Healy
Project Commenced: September 2000
Duration: 2 years
Funding Agency: Enterprise Ireland
Project Title:
The design and development of an on-line language learning course for incompany
training in Irish industry.
Description: In the context of global markets and increased internationalisation of business
practices, it has become essential for managers and executives in both SMEs and
multinationals in Ireland to equip themselves with the language skills which would allow
them to develop good working relations with European and global partners. Given the everincreasing
e-business environment, more and more business people have access to
computer technology, and this can become a support for different types of training including
language learning.
The project being carried out by ITB is to create an on-line language learning course where
the material matches the specific needs of Irish Industry, and where the on-line support
provided by the instructor/tutor can mimic the type of support normally found in a classroom
context. ITB has been pioneering in its use of a virtual language laboratory for full-time
students; creating a specialised course for Irish industry would further exploit the capabilities
of this advanced software by bringing it into a virtual domain.
The project includes a phase of piloting the materials with an Irish company. The close and
scientific monitoring of data generated from the interaction of the participants with the course
materials would allow for fine-tuning of the course materials and “best practice”
recommendations for working with on-line learners in a business environment.
Project Leader: Ruth Harris
Researcher: Ruth Lysaght
Project Commenced: October 2000
Duration: 2 years
Funding Agency: Postgraduate R&D Skills Programme