Networking between member organisations to develop a new business opportunity "Laser Bee" - Laser Safety Software Accessing the Photonics Application Centre facilities and networking opportunities members have permitted member companies Lucid Optical Services Ltd and Laser Physics UK to link up and develop a new training and safety software product. "By discussing our product, named Laser Bee, with various people at exhibitions in the UK and mainland Europe we realised we had a saleable commodity," said Lucid senior consultant Dr Neil Haigh. "And when we linked up with Laser Physics, after getting to know them at events organised by the Photonics Cluster (UK), we knew we had the right partnership to take the product forward." Laser Physics was the ideal partner to help Lucid with the development of Laser Bee because of its extensive experience as a leading distributor of photonics, metrology, lasers, laser accessories and laser safety equipment. Appointed to handle both sales and marketing on an exclusive basis, LPUK was also able to provide input into both the required content and user interface. Further encouragement and tangible assistance came from the Cluster through its Photonics Application Centre team. "We are now looking to extend the software and to add more and more to it," said Dr Haigh. "And because it has adopted international standards it is a product that we will be able to market throughout the world." Peter Bennett, technical sales director of Cheshire-based LPUK, said: "Laser Bee was launched on the market towards the end of last year and since then has been very well received, particularly by industry, academia and the medical profession. But, of course, the software is available for a very wide range of sectors - in fact, anywhere where lasers are used." Dr Karen Chisholm, Laboratory Manager at the Photonics Application Centre, commented: "Laser Bee was originally developed as a result of client interest shown at Lucid's laser safety training courses. Lucid is, of course, extremely well-known for its innovative training programmes but Laser Bee marks a new era as it is the first product to be sold by the company. "We are naturally delighted at Laser Bee's initial success, which really does go to show how the Cluster can play a powerful role in bringing companies together for their mutual benefit," he added.