Putting the right IP management system in place can help companies to consolidate the work of their independent business units. Gisela Carlson, IP administrator at United Technologies, explains how to Elodie Brice

Connecticut-based United Technologies Corporation (UTC) is one of the top manufacturing companies in the world. Its businesses built the world’s first working helicopter, invented elevators and air-conditioning, developed the first commercially available hydrogen fuel cells and designed complete life-support systems for the Space Shuttle. Today, its engines power over 50% of the world’s commercial airliners and its systems can be found on more than 90% of the world’s aircraft. This innovation is supported by 26,000 patents and 6,500 trademarks, which are managed by a global team of 40 IP attorneys and patent engineers.

With such an innovative and fast-moving product line, managed by multiple business units around the globe, the recordal and exploitation of IP Rights is of prime concern. But how can a business employing 220,00 workers in 62 countries ensure the correct management of its IP? For Gisela Carlson, the answer is simple: UTC demands innovation not only in its own product development, but also in the IP management software it employs.

Technology hand-in-hand
‘Before we updated our IP management system in December 2004, our business units were using a number of different IP management processes,’ explains Gisela. ‘We did have a common docketing system, but the manner in which IP information was captured was inconsistent and sometimes incomplete. Not only did this cause problems with data validation and reporting, it also meant that inventors moving from one business unit to another had to learn new invention disclosure submission methods.’

We found that FoundationIP … would facilitate collaboration between inventors, staff and outside counsel, to the benefit of all
- Software for Corporations

UTC decided that it needed to implement one consolidated system that could meet the assorted requirements of its global workforce. ‘We wanted an IP management system that would give us the means to consolidate, improve, standardise and manage diverse work practices and our extensive IP portfolio,’ says Gisela. ‘We found that FoundationIP, as a web-based system, would facilitate collaboration between inventors, staff and outside counsel, to the benefit of all.’

With over 75 staff members potentially using the IP management system on a daily basis, and potentially thousands of inventors using the system infrequently, flexibility was a key concern. ‘Having a single invention disclosure process allows for consistency of information submitted and ensures all necessary information is present,’ she explains. ‘It also takes the pressure off our in-house staff, as they no longer need to trawl through paper submissions for all the information they need.’

A new way of working
FoundationIP allows UTC to store its case histories, documents and invention disclosures in a single integrated database that is categorised by business units, as well as technical and product categories for data-mining purposes. ‘This has far-reaching benefits as personnel can be assigned in response to shifting workloads,’ says Gisela. ‘As the system is web-based, we can also use it to transfer our docketing work directly to outside counsel.’ UTC expects to realise significant cost savings as a result. ‘Quicker access to accurate information delivers ongoing savings as well as confidence in the information provided,’ she adds. ‘Going forward, we expect to build on the infrastructure of FoundationIP by integrating it with other applications and solutions, such as expense tracking and invoice processing. This will allow us to examine the costs of managing our IP at a granular level, with a view to identifying spending trends and seeking increased productivity.’


To find out how FoundationIP can help your business, please visit www.cpaglobal.com/software or email ebrice@cpaglobal.com


This article first appeared in IP Review, issue 18

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