The Russell Partnership:  what we do:  Technology:

Technology

New technologies drive new applications, and the Russell Partnership places a high value on matching technologies to client needs. We have developed a range of online and computer-based services that allow us to provide quicker, more effective and more highly targeted services to our clients.

Using new technologies to drive new applications

We have continued to develop our successful HOTS simulation, used by companies, colleges and universities around the world to teach critical management skills to students and managers in the hospitality and tourism industry. We are also currently developing a new online simulation to train administrators and business managers in the skills needed to develop tourism destinations sustainably.

Both simulations allow participants to address real world problems in real time and try out a range of approaches and solutions to see which work best.

The growth in access to online systems has enabled the partnership to develop a range of internet-based survey and performance audit tools for clients. Online and face-to-face questionnaires are linked into a powerful central database and statistics program that allows us to tailor customer surveys precisely to client needs. Mobile technology gives us the ability to give immediate feedback to clients from an on-site performance audit in text and graphical formats.

As projects and business processes generate more and more information, effective communication becomes vitally important. We have developed a series of dedicated online portals for clients to use to share files, images, messages and schedules, allowing users immediate access to the corpus of knowledge they need, wherever they are. The portals are built in a modular fashion so that each client can choose the services they need to suit their particular operation.

Tools for preparing students for university

PRE ARRIVAL ON-LINE INDUCTION This product enables universities to communicate essential duty of care information to students before they arrive rather than attempting to do this in fresher’s week which has been normal practise. The programme checks and records viewing of the modules and also provides testing facilities with results being stored. Thus universities can not only communicate these topics more effectively but can also prove that their ‘duty of care’ responsibilities have been met. Further functionality allows contracts to be signed on line, arrivals meetings to be booked, student financial planning to take place and on-line check lists to be created. The programmes are produced in the university corporate style so appear to the student to be a seamless part of preparing to enter university. It is provided as a hosted service and therefore requires only a small involvement of the university IT team.

C-SHOCK is solely for International students and aims to improve their knowledge of UK culture before they arrive. The information is presented in computer game format with a total of 16 games and quizzes covering amongst others: the university, halls, banks, sports halls, markets, crossing roads, job centres, driving, dating signs, ASBOs and fashion. Students can replay the games as many time as they wish in order to improve their scores and, of course, their knowledge. Provided as a hosted service the university has only to give the student a login and we take care of everything else. There are options to personalise C-Shock to individual institutions.

Business Simulations

HOTS - based on the redevelopment and management of a large hotel, the complexities and service sensitivities of a hotel scenario have made the program a preferred training choice in many service sectors, including tourism, retail, banking and insurance. The service-specific management concepts brought out in the HOTS simulation are also highly relevant to firms in the manufacturing sector, where HOTS is becoming increasingly popular.

SESAMEE – models the start up and development of a small business. It is particularly useful for teaching entrepreneurship and commercial awareness. Like the other simulations it can also be used for teaching finance and team working.


EUROCAR – models the European car market in 5 countries, it is our most complex simulation and is used for post graduate courses as well undergraduate ones. It is valuable for teaching strategy, business planning, marketing, finance, operations, quality and team working.