If metadata describing the information available in an information provider system is not visible on the web, the information itself is invisible to the world. People do not have the time, energy or motivation to search out information from suppliers with arcane access procedures. Metadata helps in quality control and allows systems to exchange information or participate in global queries. Metadata, in a word, is the future. Seven years ago the first CRIS Conference was an achievement simply by bringing people together from across Europe, he pointed out.
Today there is increasing specialisation, and the focus has progressed to user needs.
User-orientation, it was agreed, is now a major objective. As the initiative to promote Innovation Management Techniques nears its end, SMEs and innovation management advisers are being offered opportunities to observe, discuss and absorb best practice. The IMT projects were designed to introduce improved methods for the management of innovation to companies not already familiar with them, especially SMEs. Together, the projects were intended to raise the standards of the professional support available to SMEs in all EU Member States, by identifying and spreading best practice. A conference, to present the project's work to design and innovation policy-makers, national design centres, Innovation Relay Centres and others involved in design associations and consultancies, will be held in Stockholm on 8 June.