Cuyamaca College
Environmental Technology Program
The Technology Transfer Process
It is important to remember that only the technology moves from idea to commercial product (i.e., a product, process, or service), and that the person associated with the technology may exit the process at any time.
The most fragile points in the technical development process occur as project leadership changes, and the burden of a successful transition falls most heavily on the party handing off the technology.
Over a dozen different mechanisms are available for laboratories and other groups to use in the transfer of technology. Techniques range from publishing a technical paper to negotiating CRADAs.
Small businesses usually require financial support and analysis, business management and planning, problem solving and idea feasibility evaluations, and product or process improvements. Such assistance is important for maintaining a business' current position, managing growth, economic survival, and marketing their product or service.
Large businesses, with greater internal resources available for technology management, more often are interested in expanding their technology opportunities and assuring their research is state-of-the-art.
The greater the use of technology in any size business, the higher the rate of change in the technology and the greater the need for technical information, expertise, or facilities. Many of the requests for assistance, such as those related to the pursuit of new markets or improving current processes, can be met by information from computer database searches. These searches are provided by universities, small business development centers, and commercial and government entities.
 |
 Last update 05/12/98 by Cuyamaca Web Team |