Press Releases

Osec implements Hyperwave-based Information and Knowledge Platform

September 19, 2001

Osec Business Network Switzerland today announces the creation of its new communications web site, built on Hyperwave's Information Server, which is used for setting up and organising international business relations (http://www.osec.ch). Dr. Urs Leimbacher, head of Information & Knowledge Management at Osec, and a member of the company's management, says "I am confident that we have laid the foundation for dynamic knowledge management with the Hyperwave Information Server."

The web site is available for employees of Osec, partners, such as regional chambers of commerce, and Swiss diplomatic agencies in numerous countries around the world, as well as customers. With this platform, Osec Business Network Switzerland fulfills an important role in helping the Swiss State Secretary for Business to promote foreign business relationships with small to medium-sized businesses based in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Customer Satisfaction provided by Information

As information is distributed decentrally across a network, Osec is dependent on smooth co-operation with its partners across different locations. Osec's web site ensures this by providing systematic knowledge management both within and outside the organisation. Using the Osec knowledge database, structured information is made readily available worldwide. Content on the website is classified by country, topic and industry and partners from 60 nations deliver standardised knowledge components on ten different topics.

These are combined in a knowledge database, which forms the foundation of the web site. Employees and partners of Osec also access the database directly for personal consultations with customers.

A Multi-faceted Standard Solution

"We chose Hyperwave because the company was able to meet the majority of our requirements with the standard Hyperwave Information Server package," emphasises Dr. Urs Leimbacher. "However, we placed special importance on link control, authorisation and simple document management. During the first phase of the project in spring 2001, the primary focus was on Osec's internet presence, which replaced the previous static presentation."

Especially satisfying was the fact that the integration was completed within a very short period of time, from mid March to the end of June. By the end of June, the first phase of the new Hyperwave-based Internet was complete, including the implementation of a completely new web design. During the second phase, work continued on the Intranet and Extranet and knowledge management was established as a performance enhancing process within the company.

All 80 employees are fully convinced of the solution's practicality. Customer and partner queries can be quickly answered, enabling them to react faster in the market. This builds satisfaction among employees and customers alike. The availability of information as the main motivation for the use of a knowledge management system can thus be put into practice within a short period of time.

Osec's overall strategy is to stop disseminating information indiscriminately, and to distribute it selectively making it available to specific customers. In order to offer information on an even more "personalised" basis, Osec will push the ongoing development of session tracking. Using these contextual queries of the customer in full-text and context searches, inferences can be made regarding the wishes and needs of a client and thus to better control information offerings.

Osec Business Network Switzerland

With a team of 80 employees Osec Business Network Switzerland supports businesses in Switzerland and Liechtenstein in setting up and organising their international business relationships. Osec coordinates the Business Network Switzerland on the basis of the commission for the promotion of foreign trade and commerce 2001 - 2003. The network has contact offices in Switzerland and abroad. Outside of Switzerland, the Swiss business hubs form the backbone of the Business Network Switzerland. These offices are set up in countries that are important for Swiss firms active abroad or who entertain business relations with other foreign enterprises. Employees at the hubs are available exclusively for the purpose of promoting external economic trade & business. In the remaining markets, the Business Network Switzerland is backed by the Swiss representative offices (embassies, consulate generals and consulates) as well as the Swiss chambers of foreign trade and commerce.

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