[Business; company characteristics; expertise in Software Technology which proves Research capabilities]

VARTEC NV a company specialised in interactive 3D applications. The company consists out of four divisions: VARTEC Products, VARTEC Interactive, VARTEC Tools and @dm. VARTEC Products is specialised in providing hardware and software for multimedia, 3D animation, Virtual and Augmented Reality (included are also specialised peripherals: HMD, Datagloves, tracking systems, etc.) VARTEC Interactive realises a wide range of productions with broadcast quality for company- and industrial applications, among which transport, design & marketing, games & animation, architecture, edutainment, training, interactive simulation, product and process visualisation and website development. This division is also specialised in consultancy and training. VARTEC Tools does research to improve software and hardware for multimedia, 3D animation, Virtual and Augmented Reality and this division develops its own new tools in national and international co-operation. @dm - a division of VARTEC - is specialised in the field of electronic document management. It offers consultancy, sales, development and research concerning soft-and hardware, regarding solutions for advanced document management, embracing the total document workflow, including hand-written word-processing. Moreover @dm offers a wide range of services in relation to the inter/intranet starting with dial-in, up to web-hosting and interactive multimedia web-development.

BIKIT was founded in 1985 in order to define the research needs and to realise the solutions for industry and services in the field of advanced knowledge- and information technology (KIT). BIKIT is able, through project execution, to incorporate the most recent developments such as e.g. electronic document management, intranet- or virtual and augmented reality technology. BIKIT has a lot of experience in achieving technology transfer in the domain of knowledge and information technology (KIT) and the integration thereof in the company or institution.

BIKIT wants to encourage the development of knowledge and information technology in general, thus actively supporting the deployment of the Information Society, and more especially the application of knowledge and information systems. BIKIT performs therefore an information function toward the government, the industries, and the general public; a co-ordination function toward the professional suppliers of knowledge and information technology. BIKIT also manages the interests of KIT suppliers and users with the government. It has a catalyst function for the experience and development within the field of knowledge and information technology worldwide. BIKIT members include companies in several domains of industry and services. BIKIT maintains intensive contacts with research institutions and companies worldwide.

Calibre is a centre for interactive visualisations and simulations, emanated from the faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning of the University of Technology Eindhoven. Calibre is specialised in the application of new and advanced graphic computer simulation and visualisation techniques. These are used to contribute to design processes, product presentations and product simulations.

Calibre's main focus is in the field of architecture and real estate development. But Calibre also performs research projects in the area of industrial design and does research in the field of perception and ergonomics.

AISoftw@re SpA is a software house developing knowledge processing systems to be used through traditional hardware architectures and via Internet/Intranets. Its main mission is to add value to data, in order to extract information and knowledge to be turned into a competitive advantage for organisations. AISoftw@re has always developed and experimented the most advanced software technologies available, anticipating in international technology trends and offering to its clients and business partners solutions well before their general availability on the market. Moreover AISoftw@re designs and develops high performance software architectures, using both proprietary technologies and the most advanced tool available on the market, in order to offer innovative applications to its clients in specific vertical markets.
The three main vertical markets the Company operates are:

• Decision support systems in Banking and Finance Medical imaging
• Medical Image processing systems
• Internet/Intranet-based knowledge management for large organisations

Goal of the Foundation is to make knowable the dynamics of space and the earth to the public. A second objective is the improvement of the knowledge about the earth and about the relation earth-people, this in the broadest sense. The above mentioned goals must be introduced in the most attractive and interactive form. nv Sealife Center Belgium is a content provider for earth observation/geographical data for edutainment and documentaries.

Merlin exploits in Europe several attraction parks, e.g. in Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium…). The main brands are Sea Life and Dungeons. There are also other environmentally based attractions. Merlin is the largest multi-site operator in Europe and the most profitable. Sea Life has 13 Coral Sea Life Centres in 6 European countries plus 8 Sea Life Aquariums, plus 2 National seal sanctuaries. With their 5 Million visitors this is Europe's premier 'attractions' brand and Europe's most successful 'aquarium' brand. Dungeons receives annually almost 1 million visitors in London and York. There is a strong appeal with overseas visitors (70 %).

Barco is the recognised worldwide leader in the field of large-image projection. Barco is a pioneer in research and development of numerous display techniques, amongst others the CRT, LCD, DLP and LED technology. This expertise is now used as a basis for the development of high quality, state-of-the-art solutions for large-image projection, and this for different applications.

Barco is also a pioneer in 3D display systems. These state-of-the-art large-image 3D systems are used in a wide range of applications such as "Virtual Caves" and "Reality Centre", e.g. modelling of molecules, scientific visualisation, simulation, prototype modelling etc. Barco large-image solutions are offered through a highly specialised distribution

Created in 1986 by TV/film producers and directors, STRASS PRODUCTIONS is specialised in video production for companies and production for TV: documentaries, current affairs, short fiction.

STRASS PRODUCTIONS has been developing multimedia activities since 1994 by creating a 3D-design studio and a multimedia department. The company develops interactive applications and CD-ROM for companies and for general publishing.

STRASS PRODUCTIONS is the leader of a European consortium selected by the European Commission, in the framework of the Educational Multimedia Task Force. Its on-line multimedia project called pl@net will link up, via Internet, secondary schools in 10 European countries and scientific research centres. Students and teachers will find learning materials about the environment in this network.

1. Production for TV
2. Conception and development of educational software off-line ; conception and development of an educational network on-line
3. Video production and interactive applications for companies and institutions
4. 3D design and conception