Futurology conference in Basingstoke shows the way forward

8:49am Friday 5th February 2010

By Richard Garfield

THE IMPACT of social media and the shape of things to come were at the heart of a key Basingstoke business event.

A compelling video, called Statistics Show Social Media Is Bigger Than You Think, was shown at the start of The Hampshire ICT Futurology Conference.

Former Microsoft director Hugh Griffiths spoke about the Internet being truly mobile and also about the explosion of smartphones and the power of social networking. The video, which can be seen on YouTube, shows how social media such as Facebook and Twitter account for the majority of web activity.

Hugh was among leading businessmen and inno vators from the world of IT, new media and com munications on hand to meet local entrepreneurs, get them thinking about future developments and gain some guidance as to where they should be focusing their own research and development.

The other speakers were John Frieslaar, from Chinese telecoms equipment manufacturer Huawei Technologies, whose UK headquarters is in Jays Close, Basingstoke, and Martyn Ruks, technical director at IT security testing specialists MWR Infosecurity, based at St Clements House, Alencon Link, in the town centre, along with David Sloy, creative director and head of digital at technology marketing agency Mason Zimbler and Andrew Yates, chief executive officer of Artesian Solutions.

John, who is chief technology officer for key accounts at Huawei, spoke about potential changes that could have an impact on businesses and indi viduals over the next 100 years.

He said: “We are at the cusp of renewing our broadband infrastructure across Europe and the UK. Whatever we envisage from that, it has to be something we can live with for a long time.”

John also spoke about the European Union’s digi tal strategy that aims to help member states recov er from the economic crisis.

He said: “There is a changing landscape of tech nology and with that the risks and threats to organisations change.”

Also speaking at the conference, held at The Ark Conference Centre and hosted by 3EN Ventures and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, was borough council leader Councillor Andrew Finney, and Stuart Tagg, from Greenham Common Trust, who spoke about the launch of the Basingstoke Incubation and Innovation Centre, which will be based at Norden House, on Basing View.

The start-up centre aims to help fledging hi-tech companies and small innovative business grow in the borough, offering flexible office accommoda tion and support services.