Online service open to all at http://joinit.grantapark.com
Online service open to all at http://joinit.grantapark.com
Keywords TWI, Internet
Individual engineers and companies who need information and advice on welding and joining have a new resource available online with the public launch of TWI's Internet-based JoinITTM service.
"This interactive service offers a major boost to efficiency through improved access to technical information", says TWI development director Bob John."Various estimates suggest that up to 25 per cent of engineers' time is spent unproductively in searching for information. Use of Internet technologies can cut this time substantially.
"TWI aims to lead the way with high quality delivery of technical information and knowledge services. This is a new way of working for TWI, and greatly enhances our ability to get the right information to the right person in the right form at the right place and at an acceptable cost. We were pleased to receive support from the UK Government Department of Trade and Industry in the development of JoinIT, which meets the needs set out in the Department's recent competitiveness white paper Building the Knowledge Driven Economy".
JoinIT combines a range of services from straightforward information through best practice guides to knowledge-based software toolkits into which the user can insert data to evaluate "what if?" scenarios.
Versatile navigation through free text and keyword searching or a menu-driven option helps the user to direct a search accurately. There is also a facility to set information resulting from a search.
JoinIT content is a mix of free and paid for items, and includes:
Best practice guides - a distillation of expert knowledge.
Information, data sheets, case studies, TWI staff papers - technology,applications, standards, health and safety.
Job knowledge - practical guidance and advice.
Software toolkits - interactive tools to aid process and productivity assessments.
Connect, sector news, events diary - updates on developments and activities at TWI and elsewhere.
Training and qualifications - information and course data.
Professional development - career guidance.
Weldasearch - database of welding literature searchable online.
Image library - illustrating welding and joining technology and applications.
Technical enquiries - an e-mail service.
User forum - for issues relating to JoinIT content and function.
For TWI Industrial members only - Member Reports and Bulletinarticles, Who knows? and electronic sector-based workshops.
Feedback on the content and functions already available and suggestions for expansion and enhancement are welcome.
Access to JoinIT services is gained via a user identifier and password which are issued after completion of an online registration form. The password is used to regulate the varied access rights appropriate to different types of user.
Details available from David Kilpatrick, TWI. Tel: +44 (0)1223 891162; Fax:+44 (0)1223 892588; E-mail: djkilpatrick@twi.co.uk
