A technological surveillance and competitive intelligence

[samiaseo55]

Technological surveillance is an organized, selective, and ongoing process of capturing information from outside and within the organization on science and technology, selecting, analyzing, disseminating, and communicating it, transforming it into knowledge for making decisions with reduced risk and anticipating changes.

This entire process is vitally important for large companies, but it can also be extremely useful for SMEs : a small business needs to understand the environment in which it operates. Establishing a self employed data business in a young neighborhood is not the same as establishing one in one with an older population. An SME that understands its environment and its competitors can seek alliances with new partners, focus its efforts on the most profitable production processes, and succeed in innovation processes.

The term "technological surveillance" seems like it could only be applied to NASA or Philips, but it's essential for any business. You have to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the sector, the competition, society... With so much information, how can you stay up-to-date on what really interests you?

Companies often monitor the evolution of their environment in an unconscious and unorganized manner. They stay up-to-date with changes through specialized journals, professional associations, and their own clients or suppliers. This is improvised and unsystematic. That's not enough. Much of the data companies require is outside of these sources. Searching for monitoring sources such as patents, publications in official bodies, online press and social media, or competitors' websites requires expert help .