3 ideaPoint Anaqua Competitors to Try in 2022

Ideapoint Anaqua Alternatives

A good patent management software must:

  • Minimize friction from innovators in submitting ideas for patenting
  • Allow inventors, technical reviewers, managers, and patent counsel to edit invention details simultaneously
  • Tell you the likelihood of getting a patent 
  • Stay in sync with the USPTO
  • Give you end-to-end cost estimations for patenting
  • Provide informative dashboards to track IP-related metrics

and more.

ideaPoint by Anaqua is a good choice for patent management software if you are a Fortune 500 company. However, it might not be ideal for a medium-sized enterprise looking to streamline its idea capture and patent management processes.

And, if you are looking for ideaPoint (by Anaqua) alternatives to try in 2022, we highly recommend exploring the TIP ToolTM by Triangle IP.

Top 3 Anaqua’s ideaPoint Competitors to Try in 2022

We’re here to assist you in exploring and selecting the most appropriate patent management software solution for your enterprise. Here are your top three choices:

#1 – Triangle IP’s TIP ToolTM

#2 – IPFolio

#3 – Decipher

Presented below are benefits, key differentiators, and other parameters about these three ideaPoint (by Anaqua) competitors to ease your selection.

#1 – Triangle IP’s TIP ToolTM

At its heart, the TIP ToolTM is a patent management tool. However, you don’t need to be an IP expert using the TIP ToolTM. It helps you establish control of your entire innovation management process, from ideas to patents. If you require a tool to capture potentially patentable ideas, track their progress, provide actionable patent data intelligence and manage your pipeline frictionlessly, the TIP ToolTM is ideal.

Key Benefits

Here are the seven key benefits of the TIP ToolTM in this competitive landscape:

  1. Improve the quality of invention disclosures
  2. Gain visibility into different stages of your patent pipeline
  3. Brainstorm ideas with stakeholders on a real-time basis
  4. Make informed patenting decisions with actionable patent data intelligence
  5. Manage IP budget wisely with end-to-end patenting cost estimations
  6. Stay automatically in sync with the USPTO
  7. Get a holistic view of your ideas, patents, and key performance metrics of your innovators
Improve The Quality of Invention Disclosures

An ideal invention disclosure provides a crystal clear understanding of the problem that an idea solves, how it intends to solve it, how the resultant invention will operate, and its feature enhancements versus existing alternatives. 

The inventors can easily share these details through summary sections and attachments while submitting ideas through the TIP ToolTM. The TIP ToolTM minimizes friction in the idea capture process by keeping the idea capture form short, relieving the user of remembering one more password, etc.

The idea capture forms are available for download in Word and Excel. The good part is – filled forms are readable back into the tool. The innovation managers can also customize these idea forms to suit their enterprise’s needs.

TIP Tool’s Idea Capture Form

Moreover, the TIP ToolTM enables thorough vetting by all stakeholders. It allows inventors, technical reviewers, managers, and the patent counsel to brainstorm and edit the information related to captured ideas simultaneously. The tool also gives a patentability score to all the captured ideas based on deep learning patent analytics. Such human and data-backed vetting leads to the selection of only the most promising ideas for patenting.

Also, read – Five Ways to Get Effective Invention Disclosures From Your R&D team.

Gain Visibility Into The Different Stages of Your Patent Pipeline

The TIP ToolTM allows you to watch your patentable ideas progress through different stages in the IP lifecycle: Idea Capture, Internal Vetting, Patent Drafting, and Filed. You can simply drag and drop ideas from one stage to the next.

Brainstorm Ideas With Stakeholders On A Real-Time Basis

The TIP ToolTM facilitates brainstorming over ideas like no other tool out there in the market by

  • Allowing collaborators to edit the idea summaries simultaneously
  • Keeping track of every change made to the idea summary and the person who edited the summary
  • Letting collaborators add comments and tag other collaborators in comments
  • Decreasing the response time from collaborators by notifying them of the status updates of an idea instantly
  • Allowing to add attachments in multiple formats like PDF, image, video, etc.
Make Informed Patenting Decisions With Case Analytics, Patent Counsel, and Examiner Statistics

A patent prosecution decision weighs a lot of factors, including the likelihood of getting a patent, patenting costs, estimated time to allowance, and more. The TIP tool gives a patentability score to each idea by taking into account examiner statistics, patent counsel statistics, average allowance data for the given art unit, etc. 

Manage Patent Budget Wisely With End-to-End Cost Predictions

The TIP ToolTM will inform you how much a patent will cost you over the years, including the drafting fee, filing fee, attorney fee, maintenance fee, etc. for provisional as well as non-provisional patent applications.

Stay In-Sync With USPTO

The TIP ToolTM keeps you notified about the status updates from the USPTO for published and unpublished patent applications.

Get A Holistic View of Your Ideas, Patents, Key Performance Metrics of Your Innovators

The TIP ToolTM allows you to stay on top of innovation efforts at your enterprise with the aid of intuitive dashboards.

  • You can immediately learn about the IP creation efforts of your team. Find out which ideas are in the ideation, drafting, and filing stages.
  • Ideas facing bottlenecks? Don’t worry. The TIP ToolTM notifies if an idea needs immediate attention if it stays in the ideation and vetting stage longer than expected.
  • To help you identify and reward promising inventors & managers, the TIP ToolTM showcases which innovator has submitted maximum ideas or filed most patents.

Key Features

Access Account Using Magic Link-Based Login

The TIP ToolTM reduces friction for innovators by relieving them of remembering one more password. A simple magic link-based login process allows users to access the tool whenever needed, without any password securely.

Filter Ideas Using Tags

The TIP ToolTM enables users to add tags and later filter submitted ideas based on these tags. The tags can indicate particular product lines, technology, or any other grouping they deem appropriate.

Provide Role-Based Access

Are your inventors and managers aligned with their KPIs? The TIP ToolTM allows users to keep track of their IP activity by providing role-specific dashboards.

View Patent Data as a Family Tree

The TIP ToolTM lets you see the patent continuity data in tabular and visual formats.

Suitable Company Profile

Startups, individual inventors, small-to-medium sized enterprises, and patent practitioners greatly benefit from using the TIP ToolTM.

Pricing

The TIP ToolTM provides a free tier (forever). Its premium tier costs $50 per month and $495 per year. Triangle IP has you covered if you’re looking for a custom tier. Visit its pricing page.

Website

Visit Triangle IP’s website to explore the product.

Demo

The TIP ToolTM offers a demo playground with pre-populated data to easily explore the tool’s functionalities. Sign up for an interactive product demo to experience the TIP ToolTM’s features for yourself!

#2 – IPFolio

Introduction

IPFolio is an end-to-end IP lifecycle management solution. It connects with Clarivate’s market-leading data to make rapid and accurate decisions. Furthermore, this cloud-based solution allows you to manage IP operations from a centralized hub.

Key Features and Benefits

Collaborate Seamlessly With Inventors, Outside Counsel, and Other Stakeholders

IPFolio provides users with a connected ecosystem. In its Intellectual Property Portal, users can collaborate seamlessly with other inventors, outside counsel, and other stakeholders.

Automate Data Verification and Auto-Docketing

Users can work comfortably with access to cleaner, more reliable, and consistent data. IPFolio allows automated data verification and data enrichment along with seamless auto-docketing.

Configure Your Hub Flexibly

Every IP portfolio’s size and needs are unique and dynamic. IPFolio is flexible to configure to maintain centralized access to pertinent data.

Share Custom Reports and Dashboards

To improve analysis and collaboration with critical stakeholders, IPFolio allows the capability to share rich insights using custom reports and dashboards quickly and easily.

Receive Centralized Access to Documents

While organizing ideas, it is a given that you’ll deal with swathes of data. IPFolio allows centralized access to documents like inventions, patents, trademarks, domain names, and copyrights.

Access Industry-Leading Clarivate IP Data

You can rest assured that your IP data exposes you to minimal risks by accessing industry-leading Clarivate IP data.

Obtain Embedded Analytics and Data Visualizations

Analytics on your company’s IP Portfolio are an embedded part of the IPFolio experience. Users can derive insights using insightful data visualizations.

Suitable Company Profile

IPFolio is an appropriate option for corporate IP teams.

Pricing

You can contact the IPFolio team to learn more about pricing and demos.

Website

Visit IPFolio’s website to explore the product.

#3 – Decipher

Introduction

If your enterprise is looking to achieve its innovation potential, Decipher helps to streamline collaboration, increase innovation output, and improve overall invention disclosure quality.

Key Features and Benefits

Improve Idea Disclosure Workflow

Decipher allows users to submit their ideas using a simple workflow quickly. Users can also add designs, prior art, reviewer notes, and more.

Track Real-Time Idea Progress From Inception to Protection

Decipher also allows users to track progress at every point from inception to protection and identify bottlenecks. Additionally, teams can accurately track each change and decision for smarter innovation.

Improve Action Response Time

Decipher users also receive automated alerts for an improved patent office action response time.

Collaborate Seamlessly With Users

Decipher users can collaborate in-person or asynchronously. To comprehensively vet ideas, users can receive thorough input from all reviewers leading to higher quality.

Provide Role-Based Access

Decipher offers control permissions to new ideas while juggling increasing IP visibility across the enterprise.

Measure Performance Against Key Indicators

To measure your employees’ innovation activities, Decipher allows you to set key performance indicators and measure performance against them.

Manage Cost Control

IP management can make your expenses balloon significantly. In addition, Decipher enables users to determine what to patent, publish, or hold as trade secrets.

Suitable Company Profile

Decipher is ideal for companies looking to keep track of intellectual property and legal rights such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Pricing

You can contact the Innovation Asset Group, Inc. to get started on a free trial.

Website

Visit Decipher’s Invention Disclosure Management website to explore the product.

Idea Management Software Comparison Matrix

ParameterThe TIP ToolTMIPFolioDecipherAnaqua’s ideaPoint
Idea Capture FormInventor-friendly customizable invention disclosure form (IDF)Centralized hub to add multiple documents in addition to idea disclosureSimple workflow to add designs, prior art, reviewer notes, and moreSimple, intuitive user interface to submit ideas
Real-Time CollaborationUsers can collaborate and edit ideas simultaneously. The TIP ToolTM maintains a live record of changes madeIPFolio allows users to collaborate seamlessly with other inventors, outside counsel, and other stakeholdersDecipher enables users to collaborate in-person or virtually and receive thorough reviews on ideasSubmitters can stay informed of changes to ideas. They can evaluate and provide feedback to other ideas virtually
DemoUse demo playground to explore the toolRequest a demoRequest a demoContact
Suitable Company ProfileMedium-sized enterprises that file 15+ patents annuallyCorporate IP teamsCompanies looking to keep track of intellectual property and legal rightsFortune 500 companies
PricingFree tier; Premium tier costs $50 per month and $495 per year; Custom tierContactContactContact

A Quick Wrap Up

In this piece we have provided in-depth information that helps you select an alternative for Anaqua’s ideaPoint.

Whether your business is a startup, a Fortune 500 enterprise, a corporate IP team, or whether you’re an individual inventor or patent practitioner, there is a suitable tool out there.

If you are a medium-sized enterprise, look for the following features:

  • Access to an intuitive and customizable invention disclosure form
  • Collaborate with stakeholders asynchronously and maintain live access to changes made to ideas
  • Visualize the idea-to-protection track and IP activity at your enterprise using dashboards
  • Obtain critical information around patenting estimating costs, and mission-critical patent analytics

About Us

The TIP ToolTM by Triangle IP is an intuitive drag-and-drop tool that helps you manage the end-to-end IP lifecycle from ideas to patents. The tool underwent creation with the vision of democratization of patents. Usually, the patent process is not transparent, and many enterprises do not have enterprise-wide innovation capture systems and processes. The TIP ToolTM is here to change that. With the TIP ToolTM, anyone in the enterprise can submit and track the progress of their innovative ideas. The TIP ToolTM also helps you manage your patent portfolios with deep learning to guide your patent strategy efficiently.

Invention Disclosure Form Word/Excel Template [Downloadable]

‘It’s not about ideas, it’s about making ideas happen’ – Scott Belsky

Getting invention disclosures to capture your innovation is the first step of the patent mining process. To ensure you receive enough disclosures, you need an intuitive disclosure system. One that inventors, R&D staff, and other stakeholders engage with effortlessly.

After talking to 100s of inventors, we found out that long and complex forms intimidate inventors and discourage them from completing the task. Hence, TriangleIP (TIP) has created a patent management software with an inventor-friendly invention disclosure form (IDF).

You can download the forms in both Microsoft Word and Excel format by simply filling up this form:

Quick Update: The inventors can upload this offline form back into the TIP Tool to have all their ideas in one place.

Putting the right foot forward for the patent program requires a simple and engaging IDF. We need to ensure that inventors capture innovation as part of their job to help us commercialize that inventive idea. TIP’s Invention Disclosure Form is driven by empathy towards inventors by being simple, engaging, and intuitive. 

Invention Disclosure Form Sample:

Here is an invention disclosure form sample. The first half of the invention disclosure sample, including the summary, can be filled by the inventor. The next half captures feedback from the manager and IP counsel on the invention.

Invention Disclosure Sample
Triangle IP – Invention Disclosure Sample

The invention disclosure form provided at ‘TIP – Innovation Management Software’ requires the following information:

Idea Number:

Idea number is a unique tracking identifier for each idea submitted in the portfolio. The purpose is to ensure that ideas have their unique code or identifier.  This number may be determined by other software systems or the docketing system.

Title:

The purpose of the title is to briefly describe the invention. Example – “Improved System for detecting the position of other vehicles on the road”. It should be apparent what the ‘invention’ is all about from the title alone.

Inventor Email:

This field captures the contact information of all associated inventors to facilitate further communication.  The inventor need not be a current user of the TIP tool.  Adding their email address will give them access to the idea.

Manager Email:

This field captures the manager’s email address responsible for reviewing the inventor’s idea, approving the budget, or progressing the idea to a patent application. Every enterprise has its structure. The inventors have busy schedules, and patent protection might not be their priority. To ensure that the potential inventions receive patent protection, the managers need to push them forward. Any user of the TIP tool can be given manager rights by another manager or administrator.

Summary:

The summary field briefly describes the idea to help the manager or prosecutor understand the invention. The summary can include:

  • The problem that prompted the idea or invention
  • The technical solution to the problem that is the invention
  • How the invention will be implemented (if figured out)
  • The enhanced or novel features that don’t appear in competing products
  • The advantages of their invention over prior solutions. 

Additionally, The Triangle IP allows attaching documents such as patent drafts, detailed working, and invention drawings.

Prosecutor Email:

This field captures the patent prosecutor’s email address responsible for drafting the application.

Value:

This field helps managers, and IP counsels rate the idea between 1 and 10, with 10 being the highest. It is a subjective value to the enterprise of a patent on a particular idea. The enterprise can assess the value of the invention based on its: 

  • Usefulness
  • Feasibility
  • Commercialization potential 
  • Alignment with enterprise’s business and policies

Tags:

The tags are to provide the searchable keywords for the idea. These tags help to filter and organize your portfolio. Quickly search for a particular technology or business vertical that was previously tagged.

Patentable:

This field reflects on the likelihood of the idea being issued a patent, between 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest. The IP counsel assesses the idea’s patentability based on novelty and non-obviousness with respect to the prior art and the patent office’s receptiveness to this type of technology.

Filing Deadline:

This includes any filing goal that might be driven by publication, release, or offers for sale. In the case of commercially viable ideas, the enterprise can set its goals for the invention’s production, launch, and sale.

Let’s Sum it Up:

Presented above is a simple, engaging & inventor-friendly invention disclosure sample. It has all the necessary details for invention disclosures you must seek.

However, if your enterprise requires more fields in the IDF, the TIP innovation management software will soon offer customization. Your admin will be able to add custom fields to our simple innovation form to cater to their enterprises’ specific requirements.

Exciting Features Of TIP Tool –

  • Simple capture with no intimidating fields
  • The offline IDF will soon be readable back into the TIP tool
  • Online collaboration and workflow with role-based control and security
  • Allows for attaching additional documents to explain the idea or invention
  • Links ideas and attachments to patent filings for later reference

Thomas Edison rightly said, “The value of an idea lies in the using of it.

Give  TIP tool a try to capture innovations by your inventors.

Note: The preceding is general business advice and not to be construed as legal advice. IP laws vary by country and retaining licensed legal counsel is advised to confirm this information. Any expressed or implied opinions are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Triangle IP or any other entity who might be associated with the presenter. We hope this content is helpful to you, but should not be relied upon without confirming the advice and accuracy with local legal counsel. Any comments or inquiries are not confidential so please discuss your issues directly with counsel.

Five Best Idea Capture Software to Capture Innovative Ideas in Your Enterprise

5 BEST IDEA CAPTURE SOFTWARE FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION

Before we dig in, up for a story? 

Nearly two decades ago, PepsiCo tasked its R&D department with finding a way to reduce sodium in the snack products they make while retaining the salty flavor customers want. As a result, they worked ’round the clock for years with little to show for it. While this was happening, someone in the marketing department who struggled with high blood pressure was trying a new, semi-experimental sodium alternative diet. While R&D was spinning its wheels, this marketing expert was enjoying the very thing innovators were looking for.

Eventually, a chance meeting in a break room delivered the breakthrough the snack researchers sought. They could have saved months of valuable time if their efforts and this real-world use-case could have crossed paths sooner. At the end of the day, this is a success story. The researchers may never have found their solution. Fortunately, they did. But we want to improve our innovation efforts by enhancing communication and collaboration within an enterprise. One way we do this is with the idea capture software that allows participation for everyone across the enterprise.

Sometimes the most innovative ideas come from the most unexpected places. As a result, some idea capture software optimize the chance that great ideas will find their way into new products and services. Here, we will discuss five of the best idea capture software.

Features to Look for in any Idea Capture Software

There are dozens of products in this category, making it difficult to zero down one. However, here are some essential features to look for when selecting an idea capture software.

1. Ease of Use

The best software is easy to use. Working to develop new ideas is difficult enough without the distraction of a sub-optimal graphical user interface (GUI). For instance, users should be able to drag and drop the ideas between different stages of progression. Or the stakeholders should be able to collaborate remotely yet in real-time. Or it should be easy for users to pull up ideas related to a particular technology, product, or campaign.

2. Simplicity of Idea Capture Form

Innovators should be able to submit their ideas in a short time without any friction. The idea capture forms should not have complex fields that innovators do not know how to fill. For instance, fields like prior art references are needed to take the idea forward on the patent track, but innovators might not be aware of what to fill in it. The idea capture form should enable the innovators to submit their notes, mind-map, and other work. 

3. Participation Options

Imagine if the marketing professional from the PepsiCo story had access to the notes of the product research team. The idea is to let anyone across the enterprise submit an innovative idea. However, review permission should stay restricted to managers, or patent filing information should be accessible only to the IP team and associated inventors. So, an idea capture software that offers role-based access shall be excellent.

4. Suitable Company Sizes

An idea capture software should match the size of your enterprise, and it should respond well to scaling. For instance, the number of users using the software is 40, but the software supports only 25, which could be a problem. So either the software should offer to customize the number of users, or you may want to pick another software.

5. Pricing

Software that offers a freemium model, i.e., limited features available for free and premium features available as a part of paid subscription, make a good choice. Free products are great, especially when they allow you to try a product before settling for a premium service. Different software offer different pricing tiers based on access to various features. A clear-cut pricing plan on the software website shall assist you in decision-making.

6. Patent Track or Development Track

Certain software, like the TIP tool, offer tracking ideas through the complete IP lifecycle, hence best suited for the patent track. However, other software like Viima may be better suited for the idea execution track, like taking the technology to market.

Five Best Idea Capture Software to look at in 2022

  1. The TIP Tool by Triangle IP
  2. Ideawake
  3. Viima
  4. IdeaScout
  5. AcceptMission

1. The TIP Tool by Triangle IP

With simplified capture and management for frictionless innovation, Triangle IP’s TIP Tool puts you in control of the entire intellectual property management process, from ideas to patents. 

Ease of Use

The drag and drop design is simple and easy to understand, placing your ideas and notes within a single screen. It is impressive because it offers enterprise-wide usability and collaboration. 

The Simplicity of the Idea Capture Form

The TIP tool’s idea capture form is carefully designed to maximize engagement from innovators. The form asks for important information in a straightforward and up-front manner. You can even download its idea capture form for offline use in Word and Excel formats. The best part is that the filled forms are readable back into the tool. Furthermore, it’s also possible to customize the idea capture form offered by Triangle IP to suit your enterprise’s needs.

Participation Options

Participation is possible enterprise-wide, with no limitations on who you may authorize to interact with the ideas. 

Suitable Company Sizes

The TIP tool is best suited for medium-sized enterprises that file 25-50 patents annually. 

Pricing

Start with the free tier service level to give it a try, and upgrade when you are ready. The software is priced at 50 USD per month or 495 USD per year, which is pretty reasonable, isn’t it?

Patent Track or Execution Track

The TIP tool is designed with the patent track in mind. It helps you track ideas through different stages of the IP lifecycle like: 

1) Idea Capture 

2) Thorough Vetting 

3) Patent Filing and 

4) Patent Portfolio 

The software also offers patent analytics to help you understand how your patent case scores against other applications in the same art unit, with the same patent examiner, handled by the same patent counsel, etc. The cherry on the cake is that you can get end-to-end patenting cost estimations to plan your IP budgets wisely. 

2. Ideawake

Ideawake provides an easy-to-use, highly configurable platform that makes it easy to capture, evaluate, and take action on ideas from employees.

Ease of Use

Ideawake is easy-to-use with simple and intuitive interfaces. In addition, the platform allows enterprises to collect ideas to solve specific challenges.

The Simplicity of the Idea Capture Form

The idea capture form has just two fields – idea title and idea description. The form also facilitates adding attachments. The form is simple but doesn’t offer fields for tags, value, etc.

Participation Options

Any employee can be authorized to access Ideawake with a few limitations.

Suitable Company Sizes

Ideawake caters explicitly to Fortune 500 companies. As a result, it may be a suboptimal fit for smaller enterprises. 

Pricing

There is a free trial but no entirely free version. Basic service is $850 per month.

IdeaWake Plans

Patent Track or Execution Track

Ideawake is best for execution track use as it doesn’t offer patent-specific features like tracking ideas through IP lifecycle or patent analytics for taking IP decisions. 

3. Viima

Viima is one of the market’s most widely used idea capture software. Here is a thorough list of features that Viima offers.

Ease of Use

With its uniquely flexible interface, Viima can be very easy to use. In Viima, you can create different boards; each board represents a challenge to be solved with innovative ideas; it could also be for a hackathon. Moreover, Viima allows you to add specific people to each board from within or outside the enterprise, facilitating open innovation.

The Simplicity of the Idea Capture Form

The idea forms allow users to submit ideas anonymously. The fields in the idea form are title, description, category, tags, the problem it solves, business impact, the effort required, and more. Long forms might act as friction in capturing. 

Participation Options

Viima is open to employees, customers, or other parties interested in collaboration.

Suitable Company Sizes

This software package suits companies of any size with the right subscription service.

Pricing

The free version limits users to 10 participants. Viima’s subscription service costs between $6 and $1999 per month based on different tiers. 

Viima Pricing Plans

Patent Track or Execution Track

Viima is also best suited for the execution track as it doesn’t offer any patent-related tracking or analytics.

4. IdeaScout

IdeaScout (Innography) enables companies to capture ideas,  facilitates easier collaboration between inventors and patent professionals, speeds up innovation, etc. IdeaScout also assists well in the journey of ideas to patents.

Ease of Use

IdeaScout scores decently on ease of use. It allows inventors to submit ideas specific to business/strategic gaps, technologies, and more. Interestingly IdeaScout enables automatic feedback on ideas from an intelligent agent to revise ideas for high-quality invention disclosures.

The Simplicity of the Idea Capture Form

As per this press release, inventors just need to email their ideas in the simple text to initiate the process.

Participation Options

IdeaScout facilitates open innovation with a global network of 18 million inventor profiles. People from within and outside the enterprise can participate in idea capturing, vetting, and more.

Suitable Company Sizes

IdeaScout is best suited for large enterprises.

Pricing

Not available publicly.

Patent Track or Execution Track

Best suited for the patent track.

5. AcceptMission

AcceptMission is an idea and innovation management platform. It facilitates idea capturing, online brainstorming, patent portfolio management, and more.

Ease of Use

Customers praise AcceptMission for its usability, but other platforms get higher marks in ease of use. In addition, some users have complained about glitchy interfaces.

The Simplicity of the Idea Capture Form

The idea capture form offered by Accept Mission is quite simple with limited fields. However, inventors need to submit ideas for specific challenges called missions.

Participation Options

AcceptMission makes cross-organizational participation easy. It’s an excellent software for remotely located teams to collaborate.

Suitable Company Sizes

This software suite is well suited for companies of all sizes, but smaller enterprises are likely to have the best results.

Pricing

There is a free trial and an option to book a 30-minute demo. Four pricing plans are available are: 

  • Free
  • Basic – € 4 per user per month
  • Pro – € 5-6 per user per month
  • Enterprise – custom pricing

Patent Track or Execution Track

AcceptMission supports execution track tasks well across all subscription levels, with some notable limitations in the free and basic plans. For optimal patent tracking support, AcceptMission recommends the Pro or Enterprise packages.

The TIP ToolIdeawakeViimaIdeaScoutAcceptMission
Ease of UseSimple and easy to understandEasy-to-use with simple and intuitive interfaceVery easy to useScores decently but not greatNot easy to use. Expect glitchy interfaces
The Simplicity of the Idea Capture FormMaximizes engagement from innovatorsSimple but doesn’t offer fields for tags, value, etc.Long forms might act as friction in capturing ideasInventors just need to email their ideas in the simple text to initiate the processSimple with limited fields
Participation OptionsEnterprise-wide participation, with no limitations on who you may authorize to interact with the ideasAny employee can be authorized to access Ideawake with a few limitationsOpen to employees, customers, or other parties interested in collaborationFacilitates open innovation with a global network of 18 million inventor profiles. People from within and outside the enterprise can participateCross-organizational participation made easy. It’s an excellent software for remotely located teams to collaborate
Suitable Company SizesBest suited for medium-sized enterprises that file 25-50 patents annuallyCaters explicitly to Fortune 500 companiesSuits companies of any size with the right subscription serviceBest suited for large enterprisesWell suited for companies of all sizes, but smaller enterprises are likely to have the best results
PricingPriced at 50 USD per month or 495 USD per yearFree trial exists but no entirely free version. Basic service is $850 per month.Costs between $6 and $1999 per month based on different tiersNot available publicly› Free› Basic – € 4 per user per month› Pro – € 5-6 per user per month› Enterprise – custom pricing
Patent Track or Execution TrackTrack ideas through different stages of the IP lifecycleBest for execution track use as it doesn’t offer patent-specific features like tracking ideas through IP lifecycleBest suited for the execution track as it doesn’t offer any patent-related tracking or analyticsBest suited for the patent trackSupports execution track tasks well across all subscription levels, with some notable limitations in the free and basic plans

Parting Thoughts

As you can see, there are a lot of great products out there for you to choose one. But the best software is one that matches the size and the specific needs of your enterprise

The TIP Tool from Triangle IP is ideal if you are a medium-sized enterprise keen to systematize your patent process. The TIP tool is best suited for enterprises that file 25-50 patents a year as it provides actionable intelligence through patent analytics and patenting cost estimations. The TIP tool is also quite promising when you want to capture enterprise-wide innovation. We encourage you to explore more about the TIP tool by Triangle IP.

How can you Shortlist and Select Promising Ideas for Patent?

Promising Ideas for patent

Businesses innovate. But not all innovations make it past the brainstorming stage.

Ideas get selected for many reasons unique to your business. You need an organized way to capture and select ideas for further development and patenting. In this article, you will learn how you can use the Triangle IP’s TIP Tool — to shortlist and select promising ideas.

Capturing and Collaborating on Ideas From Your Team

Innovators capture their ideas with the TIP Tool by describing the concept. This step could take some effort and work before the innovator publishes it.

Publication releases the idea to the other people listed on the idea. These people may include co-inventors of the idea and managers. These co-workers collaborate through TIP to refine the description by adding, editing, and deleting information pertaining to the idea.

Once this step gets completed, a manager can move the idea from capture and collaboration to vetting.

Select Promising Ideas Based on Your Enterprise’s Unique Criteria

The vetting stage is kind of a catchall for several steps an enterprise uses to narrow down its innovations. Every enterprise has a different way that it goes about vetting.

Just for budgetary reasons, your enterprise must decide whether or not an innovation is worthy to send out for drafting with your patent prosecutor. Some ideas need more information. Some innovations need more development. Enterprises need to gather comments from the people involved in the idea and follow its unique vetting process.

In really small enterprises, one person often knows everything. This person knows all the technical aspects of the company’s innovations, the strategic vision of the company, and the company’s budget. This one person can decide what to pursue.

In larger enterprises, the decision maker might not have a technical background. This person might not be able to appreciate the subtleties and the significance of the innovation. But to have any sort of vetting process to shortlist and select ideas to be drafted as patents, you must have input from those with an understanding of the innovation and its value to the enterprise.

Bring in Other Voices to Make the Best Decisions

Larger enterprises need to involve multiple people in the vetting process. This team could include:

  • The innovators
  • The leaders
  • The decision makers

The innovators come to the table with a description of how the innovation works and the value proposition of investing the company’s resources in it. They can also speak to how much it’s going to cost to implement and how likely it is to end up in the product.

The company’s leadership brings the strategic vision. The innovators may have a wonderful innovation, but in a part of the business that is not important. Or maybe the idea is something that the enterprise doesn’t want to invest in.

The leadership can help the decision makers understand the difference between the core business and ideas that spin off the core business. Based on this information, the decision makers can identify those areas that don’t have a lot of support within the enterprise so they can focus on getting patents on innovations the company cares about.

The decision makers must synthesize this information so they can pick the innovations that provide both technical benefits and fit the enterprise’s strategic vision. You might have the ability to get a great patent, it has no value to the business if it’s not strategic.

The people who are deciding are looking at many factors including:

  • Strategic vision
  • Technical benefits
  • Budget
  • Patent coverage within the business’s area

This last point can be an important consideration. The enterprise’s patent attorney can give you advice about whether your competitors are filing a lot or not.

The TIP Tool Facilitates the Vetting Process

This explanation of a reasoned approach to vetting illustrates that there is no one-size-fits-all process. Instead, you need the ability to collaborate in real-time with everyone who can provide valuable input into the decision.

This is where the TIP Tool facilitates the vetting process. In a live or online meeting, everyone involved can pull up the TIP Tool. Everybody can comment in real-time and people can see each other’s comments. You can edit the summary together. The entire team can change the value of a particular idea. This happens in real-time and everyone involved in the collaboration can see it happen.

One of the benefits of this approach is efficiency. Everyone involved in the vetting process can work together to quickly capture the best thinking within your enterprise. But more importantly, your team will select innovations that are both worthy of spending budget on and align with your strategic vision.

To learn more about the TIP Tool and how it can help you identify promising ideas for patenting, sign up for a free trial.

13 Tools to Manage Your Patentable Ideas in 2022

13 top tools to manage your patentable ideas

“Many things can go wrong regarding the generation of IP wealth for your company. From the lack of participation from collaborators across several aspects of the IP journey, to the failure of catching on to the redundancy of a patent until later stages. You can lose the potential to generate wealth with your IP. However, harnessing this potential to reap the benefits requires crucial Intellectual Property (IP) management.”

The journey from ideation to commercialization is fraught with several hurdles that you can overcome with the right idea management software. Managing your patentable ideas and tracking them through a complete IP life cycle requires more than loose supervision. From ensuring that everyone involved in the process participates, to determining which ideas show more promise than others – IP management tools enable you to single out the best ideas for patenting.

Nowadays, picking the right idea management software is vital to give your business a leg up on the competition. The types of tools that you can utilize for IP management include:

  • Make-do tools
  • Tailored-for-use tools
  • Sewing-machine-for-a-needle type tools

Each of these tools has numerous advantages and disadvantages that significantly impact your IP life cycle and can make or break your patent pipeline. For example, make-do tools, such as spreadsheets, only provide data as recent as that of the last update, which you have to perform manually. Not only does this mean that your data on the spreadsheets can be stale at any time, but also that you have to stay current with the details of your patent’s application while manually updating your records. Such a task can cause you to lose valuable time and resources. 

Why go through so much stress when you can manage your patenting ideas in a more convenient, streamlined way? This article explores different tools that you can use to manage your patentable ideas.

Make-Do Tools

This category of IP management tools has more adverse effects than most, especially when managing your ideas across the typical IP life cycle. At first, they may seem like the most affordable options, with some of them having no cost. However, by opting for more affordable options, you may be sacrificing features that can benefit your intellectual properties in the long run.

1. Emails

Emails refer to mailing services that enable us to send and receive electronic messages containing text, images, or documents. You can choose from various options when deciding which mailing service to utilize. The major mailing services include Google Mail, Yahoo! Mail, and Microsoft Outlook. Most mailing services contain a draft section that can act as a makeshift notepad and signature choices to make messages more formal.

When patentable ideas are shared over emails there is a good possibility that they can get lost in transition. 

Features

  • Auto-responding to messages that contain specific keywords with pre-typed responses
  • Auto-scheduling when your messages are sent
  • Contact management to access all your contacts in one place
  • Spam blocker to block suspicious messages
  • Inbox management to archive, delete, and restore messages

Pros

  • Free to use
  • Easy to integrate with other services like analysis tools

Cons

  • Users may miss important messages that are filtered into spam
  • Can be breached, leading to loss of sensitive data, i.e. IP 

Pricing

Most mailing services are free to use.

2. Notebooks

Notebooks are essential tools on your IP journey. Depending on your preference, you can use physical notebooks or notebook software like Google Keep, Evernote, and Notion. These allow you to take notes, store images, set reminders, collaborate with others, and keep recordings.

However, retrieval of information becomes a challenge if you use it for managing patentable ideas.

Features

  • Organize handwritten or typed notes
  • Set reminders
  • Assign and keep track of tasks
  • Synchronize with your calendar
  • Create to-do lists

Pros

  • Free to use
  • Access digital notes from any of your devices

Cons

  • Some manual input required 
  • Unorganized notes can create clutter

Pricing

Free to use.

3. Home-Grown tools

Home-grown tools refer to software that your company has built in-house. These types of in-house tools require development efforts in terms of some time and money. However, dealing with the app’s shortcomings can be frustrating when a better, more affordable option is available. 

Features

  • The features of home-grown tools vary, depending on your organization and what you built

Pros

  • Typically low cost
  • You have administrative access to the tool

Cons

  • Nearly impossible to integrate everything you need to make managing patentable ideas convenient
  • It can be costly to integrate different APIs for several features

Pricing

Usually not so expensive.

4. Excel

Excel by Microsoft is versatile spreadsheet software that enables you to carry out data analysis functions and scientific modeling. The software consists of static spreadsheets that you must update manually to manage your patent portfolio. It can also be challenging to track changes in a shared document as the spreadsheets are not multi-user friendly, making collaboration among IP stakeholders inconvenient.

Features

  • Data analysis and visualization
  • Tabular spreadsheets for keeping data
  • Spreadsheet templates
  • Drag-and-drop capabilities
  • Document management
  • Search and filter options

Pros

  • Ability to collaborate with multiple users
  • View data charts from one dashboard
  • Customizable templates

Cons

  • Inability to effectively represent data in text format 
  • Users must import or input data manually, which is susceptible to human error
  • Filtering data is limited
  • The level of collaboration is restricted

Pricing

  • Free trial for one month
  • Microsoft Excel is available as part of Microsoft Office 365 subscriptions.
  • View pricing plans here

Demo

Demo not available. However, you can get great insights on the use of excel for managing patentable ideas here –  Why managing patentable ideas using Excel spreadsheets is a bad idea.

5. Trello

Trello is a software tool that enables collaboration among IP stakeholders as conveniently as possible. The software makes engagement fun and visual with project boards, cards and various assignment colors. You can view all your patentable ideas on one Trello board, separate ideas across several workspaces with different teams and track progress regarding the stages of the IP journey with automated deadlines and tools using seamless API integrations.

Features

  • Tag collaborators on an idea card
  • API integrations with other software tools
  • Easily track project activity and progress 
  • Receive notifications via email or Trello application 

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Adapted to track team members’ progress
  • Seamless integration with other software tools
  • High level of transparency among collaborators

Cons

  • Collaborators can accidentally change the assignees for projects quite easily

Pricing

  • Free trial is available for Premium for 14 days
  • View Trello’s pricing guide here

Demo

Check out a quick overview of Trello here.

6. Asana

Asana enables teams to stay organized and connected by bringing all the work into one shared space. Not only can you manage and regulate all the information and essential documents for your IP in one space, but you can also set automated reminders and avoid missing major deadlines, especially regarding the registration process of your patents. With Asana, you can build a straightforward IP database to view all your IP assets easily.

Features

  • Easily coordinate team members via automated processes
  • Track project timelines with Gantt charts
  • Stay focused with Kanban boards
  • Integrations with other apps bring all the support your team needs in one space
  • Real-time reports on work progress
  • Easily sync projects and set strategic team goals across all devices

Pros

  • Highly advanced and easily accessible features
  • Seamless software integration
  • Customizable project boards

Cons

  • Fully web-based on desktop, so you always have to leave a browser open for desktop notifications.

Pricing

  • Asana Basic: Free
  • View additional Asana pricing plans here

Demo

Click here to watch a quick overview and walkthrough for Asana.

7. Jira

Jira by Atlassian provides a space for team members to stay in the loop regarding project updates from assigning to completion. This software offers dashboards, reports and workflows that you can adopt or customize to better track your patentable ideas. However, Jira is a generic tool and not a specific one when it comes to IP management.

Features

  • Scrum boards to break projects into small chunks that you can easily assign to employees to get things done faster
  • Roadmaps to keep you and your team aligned and focused on your goals and make better decisions
  • Dashboard reports track project progress

Pros

  • Straightforward and easy to use
  • Drag-and-drop automation

Cons

  • A limited number of software integrations
  • Issues with assigning tasks to team members

Pricing

  • Free Trial is available and is always free for ten users
  • Enterprise: billed annually — contact Jira Support for more information
  • View Jira pricing plans here

Demo

Join Jira’s weekly product demo and chat live with Atlassian product experts here. You can also check out the Jira alternative for IP management.

8. Salesforce

Salesforce enables teams to develop enterprise software that improves both team and investor engagement. With several app packages, you can use Salesforce to organize and visualize your IP portfolio in one collaborative location. You can also reduce administrative tasks, make smarter IP decisions and better invention disclosures using a highly automated workflow.

Features

  • API Integration 
  • Dashboard to view project activity
  • Task Progress Tracking

Pros

  • User-friendly

Cons

  • Additional features can be costly

Pricing

  • A free trial is available
  • Employee Apps Starter: $25 per user per month
  • Employee Apps Plus: $100 per user per month
  • Heroku Enterprise Starter: from $4000 per company per month
  • App Cloud Unlimited: contact Salesforce for a quote

Demo

Check out the Salesforce demo with an overview and features walkthrough by GetApp. Learn more about the shortcomings of using Salesforce for IP management here.

Tailored-for-Use Tools

Compared to the previous categories, tailored-for-use IP management tools give you the best value for your money. Software in this category includes features that help manage your patentable ideas and enable you to stay updated on your IP’s progress every step of the way.

9. The TIP Tool

The Triangle Intellectual Property (TIP) tool is an intuitive drag-and-drop tool to help you capture enterprise-wide innovation & manage your patent lifecycle using patent data analytics. In addition to removing most of the stress and complexities regarding IP management, the TIP tool also keeps you updated with USPTO.

Key Benefits

  • Intuitive invention disclosure form that enhances the quality of your invention disclosures
  • Patent pipeline visibility that enables you to track your idea from its evaluation to drafting and filing
  • Real-time collaboration for engaging with all idea stakeholders, regardless of their locations
  • Case analytics and cost prediction give you an estimate on whether your idea will get patented and the price of getting a patent later
  • USPTO status updates to keep track of your published and unpublished applications

Features

  • Idea capturing
  • Transparent patent pipeline
  • Automatic USPTO updates

Pros

  • Easy to use and understand
  • Track and stay updated with your IP life cycle stages in one environment
  • Different permissions for different personnel to ensure secure and effective collaborations
  • Separate admin and manager roles
  • Cloud-based software

Cons

  • It doesn’t offer patent incentive management capability

Pricing

  • Free trial available for two months
  • Free basic version
  • Premium version: $50 per month or $495 per year
  • Custom pricing is available

Demo

Watch this video to learn how patent analytics can help you make better data-driven IP decisions.

10. AppColl’s Invention Manager

AppColl’s Invention Manager allows you to document your inventions quickly and easily. With features such as graphical reports, you can track the disclosures you have filed in addition to your patent applications. 

Key Benefits

  • Fully customizable disclosure form according to your requirements
  • An approval flow that notifies stakeholders on each point of the workflow
  • Smooth integration with other enterprise software

Features

  • Report dashboard for monitoring your invention and patent filing process
  • Disclosure form
  • Approval flow

Pros

  • Accesses information from USPTO PAIR
  • Easily create customizable reports
  • Cloud-based software

Cons

  • You cannot customize the dropdown menu in the billing section to add descriptions

Pricing

Pricing starts at $350 per month.

Demo

You can schedule a product demo here.

11. IdeaScout

IdeaScout by CPA Global’s innovation and IP strategy business, Innography, improves innovation efficiency by connecting R&D to IP. Besides improving the quality of ideas, IdeaScout also streamlines the IP journey from new idea to invention disclosure to patent application.

Key Benefits

  • Straightforward idea submission
  • Idea valuation and suggestion
  • Investor engagement and empowerment

Features

  • Idea capture and catalog
  • Automatic suggestion on ideas
  • Network of over 18 million inventors for collaboration
  • Helpful feedback

Pros

  • Helpful feedback
  • Increases the quantity and quality of the ideas you submit

Cons

  • Not synced with USPTO updates

Demo

You can learn more about IdeaScout by watching this video by Mojave Pictures.

Sewing-Machine-for-a-Needle Type Tools

Law firms majorly use docketing software to update deadlines at different intervals, providing notification alerts regarding ongoing or previous projects. As for idea management, docketing software tracks every activity that needs to be performed on your account. However, because docketing software is quite costly with often redundant reports, it can be overkill for managing patentable ideas, mainly when farming out the work to law firms.

12. Anaqua

Anaqua is a software tool that provides features for developing IP into business success. With several different services regarding IP solutions, Anaqua adds a client-centric touch to the IP journey.

Features

  • IP portfolio management
  • Patent search services
  • Docketing and administration services

Pros

  • IP administration and IP management in a single platform
  • Real-time portfolio information and reviews

Cons

  • Complex to use

Pricing

Contact Anaqua support to get more information on pricing.

Demo

Watch this video to see how Anaqua serves as idea management software for law firms.

13. FoundationIP

FoundationIP is IP management for high-performing law firms that seek a competitive advantage. This tool enables you to optimize your IP operation, improve your client interactions and quickly scale as your firm grows.

Features

  • Automate manual tasks
  • One-click docketing from USPTO Private PAIR
  • Customizable reports

Pros

  • Enables direct client access to information
  • Personalized docketing templates

Cons

  • Difficulty viewing billing history

Pricing

The pricing is based on the feature you choose.

Demo

Watch this video for an overview of FoundationIP software.

What Really Matters

When it comes to managing your patentable ideas, there is plenty of idea management software available to you. At Triangle IP, we know the challenges businesses face regarding IP management. Our TIP tool is the right partner for you to handle the complexities of IP management with ease. Check it out here; the TIP tool offers a demo playground with pre-populated data for you to explore tool functionality with ease.  Contact us for more information.

22 Tips to Master the 5 Skills of Disruptive Innovators

Become a disruptive innovator by mastering these 5 discovery skills

History is evident that disruptive innovators have the ability to change the world for better; be it Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk…

In his farewell letter to his employees, Jeff Bezos talked about innovation being the root of Amazon’s success. “We’ve done crazy things together, he said, and then made them normal.” Steve Jobs is always remembered for his words about innovators and trailblazers about whom he says “…while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

Most people say – ‘Disruptive Innovators’ are wired differently. However, I feel what we are calling as wired differently is just a capability to see things from multiple perspectives. 

Clayton has called these perspectives “Discovery Skills”, in the book “The Innovator’s DNA”. Clayton claims if you can acquire these skills, you can also think like disruptive innovators. This implies if we can teach them to our teams, we can make our organization more innovative. Let’s see what are these ‘Discovery Skills’ and how we can teach them to our people:

  • Associating
  • Questioning
  • Observing
  • Networking
  • Experimenting

Disruptive Innovators | Discovery Skill #1 Associating

Disruptive Innovators | Discovery Skill #1 Associating

Being at the cusp of different disciplines and finding ways to associate them to create ideas that are out of the box is the first discovery skill. How do you train your mind to do this?

Tip #1 – Force New Associations

Combine things that you wouldn’t usually put together. Look around your home and life and find the two most used gadgets but unlikely to be used as a single one and force your mind to make the best possible association. We are picking a refrigerator and Google Home.

Refrigerator + Google Home

Let’s of think some potential associations:

  • How about talking to the refrigerator just the way we talk to Google Home and asking – “How many cartons of milk are left in the fridge?” instead of opening the fridge and checking ourselves.
  • Or how about asking the fridge to ring a bell when your home made ice-cream is set and ready to dig into? Just the way we ask Google Home to set timers.

As a systematic approach, create a table as follows. Pick a problem(s) you are facing, identify a random item or idea. For inspiration, look around you.  Now try to come up with an association of these two. Here are some examples for your reference:

Unsolved problemUnrelated random item or ideaPotential Association
How do I get more users to download my new mobile adventure treasure hunt gaming app?Running shoesCreate a feature where the game uses the phone camera as a projector and allows the user to treat it as a VR experience. 
How do I prepare my workforce for a post covid comeback?House plantCreate a temperature controlled outdoor, socially distanced workspace where masks need not be worn. Create an atmosphere that feels safe and comfortable and makes your workforce want to be present. 
……Your turn…….………………

Tip #2 – Take on a Different Persona

Take on a different persona. Even by physically altering the way you look and dress, you can force yourself to think like someone you are not. For example, if you’re looking for design innovations with a twist of utility, dress in a black t-shirt and blue jeans for a week so you can feel like Steve Jobs. Let his association of learning calligraphy to subsequently create fonts on his computers inspire you.

Tip #3 – Generate Metaphors and Analogies

Find ways to look at things from an uncommon perspective. Use metaphors and analogies to think of products that you could revolutionize. Ever thought of an AI powered smart ceiling lamp that can watch over patients? The device being smart enough to know if the patients are sitting, standing or laying down and to call out for help if they fall down. 

List of Products (“What if” Metaphor)Possible New Features/Benefits
What if” we aren’t controlling video game characters using a remote, but with our brains? What if they just so happen to be going exactly where we want, when we wanted?Mind control gaming with increased efficiency and lesser need of hand eye coordination
Device-less, play from anywhere, unrestricted game time 
What if” 
………Your turn……..………

Tip #4 – Build Your Own Curiosity Box

Collect and put together things from your travels and explorations, things that may not be useful even. Put them together in a box to trigger your curiosity or even display them where they jump out at you everyday. When faced with a problem, look at them and allow them to let you come up with out-of-the-box solutions. 

Explore-Simulated-Version-of-TIP-Tool

Tip #5 – Use SCAMPER to Generate Breakthrough Ideas

SCAMPER! Substitute. Combine. Adapt. Magnify, Minimize, Modify. Put to other uses. Eliminate. Reverse, Rearrange. An acronym to inspire innovation and generate insight, use the concepts that this acronym stands for to rethink and allow you a fresh perspective to a problem you may be facing. 

SCAMPER ChallengeInvent a new type of Vending Machine  
SubstituteSubstitute salespersons at stores with vending machines – unmanned and cashless stores
CombineSell advertisement space by installing a screen
 
AdaptInstall QR codes/screens for digital payments
Magnify, minimize, modifyModify receiving tray to be soft and padded to minimize breakage of delicate items
Put to other useTurn traditional vending machine into fresh juicer by replacing packaged food and drink with fresh fruit and juicing mechanism
EliminateEliminate the keypad to punch in codes for products. Maybe use a touchscreen for product selection.
Reverse, rearrangeInstead of taking stuff out of a vending machine, humans get inside and use it as plug and play office

You might also like to read this post on “Innovations in Aerogels With SCAMPER”.

Disruptive Innovators | Discovery Skill #2 Questioning

Disruptive Innovators | Discovery Skill #2 Questioning

Questioning is the art of learning. Questions seek and frame and expose. Answers change over time, with varying degrees of accuracy and subjectivity. But ask the right questions and you will be amazed how the doors to innovation open. 

Tip #6 – Engage in QuestionStorming

When brainstorming finds you caught in a rut, try QuestionStorming. When you sit down together as a team, ask What if, What caused, Why, Why not, What is questions. Write down every question and once listed, prioritize and discuss the most important or intriguing ones to find better solutions.

Tip #7 – Cultivate Question Thinking

When discussing products and/or innovations within your company, convert your statements into questions. By reformulating statements into questions, you will find not only do the problems you are facing become clearer and help members of your team feel responsible for solutions. Teach your team members in the orientation session about the first principle of thinking. You would love reading this one too – “7 ways to Encourage Innovative Thinking at Your Workplace”.

Tip #8 – Track your QnA Ratio

Keep tabs on your Q&A ratio. Studies have shown that disruptive innovators ask more questions than give answers. And more often than not, good questions generate greater value than good answers. 

Tip #9 – Cultivate your own Question Bank

Maintain a record of your questions as your own written question bank. Keep revisiting these questions to identify patterns and categorize the kinds of questions you are asking. When you do, question your own questions to disrupt your thought to lead to better innovation.   

The table below will help you ask the right questions. 

 Describe the TerritoryDisrupt the Territory
Innovator’s DNA SkillsWhat is? Who? What? When? Where? How?What caused it?Why? Why not?What if? How might?
Observing    
Networking    
Experimenting    

Ask more questions when you go through your question bank. Question your questioning patterns, try and understand which questions generate emotional responses, see what kind of questions lead you best into disruptive thinking patterns.   

Disruptive Innovators | Discovery Skill #3 Observing

Disruptive Innovators | Discovery Skill #3 Observing

Whether it was Einstein with his theory of Gravity or Galileo measuring time with a pendulum; all innovators, thinkers and makers had something in common. They noticed, they observed and they theorized. Observation is the bedrock of innovation. It is where innovation starts. 

Tip #10 – Observe Customers

Observe the people you are making your product for, the existing customers. Observe how these customers experience your product. Look out for what they enjoy most about your product, and look out for what is leaving them dissatisfied about it. Is there a functional connect only or is your product leaving your customer emotionally connected? 

Tip #11 – Observe Companies

Identify a company you like, or one that inspires you. It may be a blue chip company or a trailblazing start-up. Dig into its hows and whys and think of ways you could incorporate its ideas into your business or product. 

Tip #12 – Make Observation a Habit

Set time aside everyday to observe. Make it a task in your daily to do list. Set aside a few minutes each day to observe the world around you, or a part of it that catches your fancy. Note down (this may even be photographs and videos on your phone) your observations and review them every once in a while. 

Tip #13 – Observe With All your Senses

Observe with more than just your mind. Whether you are observing customers, another company or the world around you, observe with all your senses. Make it a habit to see, taste, hear, smell and feel every experience. Make notes about what responses various experiences trigger in you. You never know what explosive idea is hiding under a whiff of something!

Disruptive Innovators | Discovery Skill #4 Networking

Disruptive Innovators | Discovery Skill #4 Networking

Idea networking is about you stepping out of your comfort zone and engaging with people who have thoughts that may be different from your own. Fresh thoughts, ideas and perspectives are a powerful arsenal to carry in your toolkit. 

Tip #14 – Expand your Network Diversity

If you are the smartest person in a room, you are in the wrong room. So, like Tony Robbins says, surround yourself with people who are successful, who are forward-moving, who are positive, who are focused on producing results, who support you, it will challenge you to be more and do more and share more. If you can surround yourself with people who will never let you settle for less than you can be, you have the greatest gift that anyone can hope for. Expand the diversity of your network. Engage with people of different ages, socio-economic backgrounds, gender, profession, industry, countries. 

Tip #15 – Start a Mealtime Networking Plan

Don’t have the time to expand your network? Start doing so over a meal. Have a meal with someone in your organization or social circle you never would ordinarily. Step outside your comfort zone if you have to to engage with a person you may not always agree with. 

Explore-Simulated-Version-of-TIP-Tool

Tip #16 – Plan and Attend New Events Each Year

Attend conferences and seminars as an opportunity to network and learn alongside. Choose a couple of conferences/seminars to attend in a year – one in a subject that interests you and another that is outside your comfort zone. This is a great way to meet people with different perspectives.

Tip #17 – Foster a Creative Community

Become part of, or better still, initiate a creative community and meet regularly to nurture ideas beyond your workplace. Invite outsiders to these meetings to get fresh ideas. Let the people you invite be a healthy mix of experts and novices so you can draw on both experience and raw enthusiasm. Train with the experts and let the exuberance of newness ignite your passion.

Disruptive Innovators | Discovery Skill #5 Experimenting

Disruptive Innovators | Discovery Skill #5 Experimenting

Experimentation is fundamental to get insights and new knowledge and in relation to innovation, experimentation is usually seen as a “search for new value”, a journey to innovation.

Tip #18 – Cross Physical and Intellectual Borders

Changing spaces – both physical and intellectual help you break out of routine and fixed mindset. Visit new places – museums, libraries, parks. Join new professional or recreational activities, attend lectures, take an online class or indulge in art. Subscribe to content from different contexts and different geographies. When you open yourself up to alien information, you will see yourself shift from a routine mindset to a hypothesis-testing mindset. 

Tip #19 – Invest Time in Developing a New Skill

Find something you are passionate about beyond your work. Turn it into a skill that you work to develop. It could be painting or photography or ballet or yoga. If you don’t want to go that far, identify another function in your company and explore it deeply.

Tip #20 – Disassemble a Product and Build a Prototype of an Idea

Have something old at home that is gathering dust? Turn it into a weekend repair project. Take it apart, study it and try to reassemble it. Have something at home that you think you could make better? Engage in a product improvement project and turn it into a prototype! Play-doh and Lego are great to create prototypes with your kids and to initiate them into innovation early. 

Tip #21 – Be Regular with Piloting New Ideas

Pick up ideas from the idea books you are maintaining and make a commitment to yourself to carry out a pilot test of one of those every month. If it doesn’t work the first time, experiment on it the next time with a small tweak here and there.

Tip #22 – Go Trend Spotting

Stay up to date with the happenings around you and constantly be on the lookout for emerging trends. Look into the future with the resources you have today and try and think of how you can ride the trend wave.  

Let’s Sum It Up

In sum, remember to keep moving. Remember you don’t have to be born an innovator. You can join the league of disruptive innovators. And while you’re on the innovation treadmill, let Bezos’ words ring loud – “Keep inventing and don’t despair when at first the idea looks crazy. Remember to wander. Let curiosity be your compass. It remains Day 1.” 

Read Next: “How To Seek Investment Using Patents?

Want to get more invention disclosures at your enterprise?

Download this inventor friendly ‘Invention Disclosure Form‘ by TIP today!

Note: The preceding is general business advice and not to be construed as legal advice. IP laws vary by country and retaining licensed legal counsel is advised to confirm this information. Any expressed or implied opinions are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Triangle IP or any other entity who might be associated with the presenter. We hope this content is helpful to you, but should not be relied upon without confirming the advice and accuracy with local legal counsel. Any comments or inquiries are not confidential so please discuss your issues directly with counsel.

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Innovations in Aerogels – SCAMPER for Idea Generation

Innovation in Aerogels - SCAMPER - Idea Generation

Learn how innovations in aerogels by Blueshift, Graphene, Krosslinker, Kalwall and …. can help you come up with the next generation of technologies.   

Looking for some inspiration to generate ideas in Aerogels? You have reached the right spot! In this post we are not just sharing an actionable idea generation technique; but something far more than that. The technique we are covering is called “SCAMPER” and the bonus that we are giving here are the innovations in aerogels. ‘Aerogel’ – one of the most fascinating materials on earth.

What is SCAMPER?

Bob Eberle proposed the SCAMPER technique in his book – SCAMPER: Games for Imagination Development in 1971. You would be surprised to see that it’s not outdated yet and can still help you draw a lot of value.

The word SCAMPER is an acronym for 7 brainstorming methods. With each method, you need to answer specific questions about an existing product or idea to explore something new. Let’s take a look at these 7 methods:

MethodWhat you doWhat questions you ask
SubstituteThe focus of this method is to find alternatives. You substitute a part of the existing idea with something else to create a new thing. Which ingredient can you replace without affecting the solution?

Can you substitute people, time, or place for improving the quality?
CombineYou focus on combining 2 (or more) existing things to result in a better idea.Can you combine a new element into an existing product and improve?

Is it possible to merge 2 or more existing processes to create something new?
Adapt During this method, you stress on adapting a part of or the whole existing product or process in a better way.Can you adapt a new process or technology to the existing product?

Is it possible to adapt a process to improve the speed or results?
Modify (magnify or minify)Try to change the size, dimensions, quantity, or frequency in the existing product, process, or problem.Can you add extra features?

Is there a benefit in increasing or decreasing the frequency?
Put to other useThis process helps you to tinker if you can use your product or process in some other unexpected way?Can you use your product differently?

Is it possible to target another market for the product?
EliminateWhen you use the ‘eliminate’ method, you focus on getting rid of a part or process that may not be beneficial.What can you eliminate from a product or a process?

Is there a way to get rid of the harmful parts?
Reverse (rearrange)In this method, you explore if any rearrangement or reverse technique like upside down or inside out with the product helps get new results?What if you go backward?

Can you reverse a process and get results?

The table above shares a few questions for each technique. Feel free to download the exhaustive questions list for all the 7 techniques.

We are in awe with aerogels and hence chose aerogels to explain SCAMPER. From the first commercialization of aerogel, it has been a topic of fascination among scientists and researchers. And, we are no exception!

If you are an industry veteran from the Aerogel industry, I would recommend you skip to “SCAMPER – The Idea Generation With Innovations in Aerogels” section, as we are going to start with First Principles – explaining from basics.

What Is Aerogel?

Aerogel is a synthetic porous ultralight material. It is the lightest solid on earth; an aerogel block of a car’s size would hardly weigh 1 kg. What makes aerogel so interesting are the properties it exhibits in various conditions.

For instance – aerogels have super high thermal resistance. Look at the picture below – A flower is on a piece of aerogel which is suspended over a flame from a Bunsen burner. The flower remains protected from the flame due to aerogel.

Source – wikipedia

Apparels stuffed with aerogels can keep you warm even under a storm of liquid nitrogen (-321°F / -196°C). That’s how magical it is! The post explores 7 breakthrough innovations in aerogels in the following sections – keep reading!

Who Invented Aerogel? | An interesting Story

The inventor, Samuel Stephens Kistler, made the first aerogel somewhere in 1931. His associate and friend, Charles Learned, had a bet with him to replace the jellies’ liquid without shrinking. Kistler removed the fluid and filled the air using the supercritical drying method. The technique is not as simple as it sounds. Kistler took many years and long research to make the first aerogel.

Why We Picked Aerogel To Explain SCAMPER?

MarketsandMarkets reported last year that the aerogel market would reach a share of $1045M by 2025. During the forecasted period of 2020-2025, it would register a CAGR of 10.4%.

What keeps the demand so high is the applications in the energy, construction, and transportation sectors. The need for thinner, lighter, and economical aerogel would drive the growth. Emerging players are challenging each other for novel ideas and growth, keeping the aerogel’s field vibrant. While nonorganic silica has been the most prominent base material thus far, the carbon in organic material is also quite popular now. Start-ups are exploring eco-friendly routes to produce aerogel, as well.

The end products of aerogel are available in many forms like blankets, monoliths, granules, and powder. Here is a tree structure by IDTechEx to help you understand the base materials and available forms of aerogel.

Different types of Aerogels and the terminology

Source – IDTechEx

Having so much innovations in aerogels going on, how could we not dive in the ocean of aerogels to pull out some pearls for you? TriangleIP believes in democratizing innovation so that we can help more people innovate. So here we are sharing different models that you can use to generate more ideas. 

So, let’s learn SCAMPER with examples of aerogel based products and companies.

SCAMPER – The Idea Generation With Innovations in Aerogels

Of all the companies working with aerogels, we chose 7 promising works, based on their innovation technique that aligns with one of the SCAMPER methods. 

Substitute Like Blueshift

Traditional aerogel is made up of silica, which makes it brittle. Such aerogel can fracture under high pressure. Blueshift substituted the silica with polyimides polymer to create a highly flexible aerogel. Trademarked as AeroZero®, this aerogel makes good tapes and laminates. The strength, insulation, and flexibility make it versatile for various industrial purposes.

Innovations in Aerogel - Blueshift - Substitute
  • Aerospace and defense use AeroZero® due to its high insulation and cryogenic properties. 
  • Electronics and telecom fields have adopted AeroZero® because of its lightweightness. 
  • The semiconductors industry uses AeroZero® as it performs uniformly between temperature -200 °C and 250 °C+.

How incredible, isn’t it?

Imagine substituting one of the core materials to solve the existing problems when you think of an idea generation technique. 

Combine like Graphene Composites

“Innovation is taking two things that exist and putting them together in a new way.” – Tom Freston, Co-founder, MTV

Although Graphene Composites (GC) makes composites for aerospace, which are lighter than the carbon-based parts and have higher strength, their armors are worth talking about.

GC combines graphene with aerogel to produce the strongest, lightest, and resilient GC Shields as ballistic armors. These shields disperse the impact of a bullet or stab more effectively than other armor. GC Shieldshave been tested with various rifles, shotguns, and knives.

These mobile shields come in different sizes. They can fit in a school bag or be obtained in a bigger size to protect the full torso. A pack of shields combined to make a wall offers group protection during an attack. GC Shield™ Curtain protects active shooters in large and open spaces.

Innovations in Aerogel - Combine - Graphene Composites

Graphene Composites stands out among companies working with aerogel due to their unique product. Combining two products to offer new benefits is a great way to innovate. What can you combine to create a new product worth interest?

Adapt Like KrossLinker

“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” – George Bernard Shaw

Do you know 1 out of 5 vaccines spoils during transit in the supply chain? 

KrossLinker came up with an innovative approach to package bio-pharma products. These pharma products are temperature sensitive. Many vaccines and biologics like blood, human organs, vaccines, and drugs suffer from the lack of the proper packaging. The traditional Styrofoam packaging spoils these biologics due to temperature fluctuation and dust.

Then existing aerogel products couldn’t stand up to the fabrication challenge of cold-chain biopharma. First, the production speed couldn’t stand the demand and affected the vaccine cost for the end user. Dusty aerogel products pose contamination risks to biologics. 

KrossLinker took the challenge and innovated aerogel packaging for biopharma products. They solved the dust issues with the silica aerogels. Their products are thin, leading to smooth fabrication. Their technology produces aerogel boards 3x faster and at 50% lower production cost. Owing to low energy consumption, carbon footprints are lesser, too.

SCAMPER - Adapt - Krosslinker - Innovation in Aerogel

Adapting an existing process to solve a burning problem: just the right approach to innovating. And KrossLinker did the same.

Modify like Cabot Corp

The Cabot Corp’s idea of using aerogel powder in cosmetics reflects the ideology of ‘modify’ in SCAMPER.

Aerogel has a remarkable absorption capacity—quite useful to soak moisture and oil from the skin. Hence, if added in the powder form, it’s beneficial to enhance cosmetic functioning.

A skin product renders a matt finish by soaking the oily layer from the skin. Aerogel’s addition helps maintain anti-caking and free-flow properties in skin and beauty products. Also, it helps retain the fragrance.

Innovations in Aerogels - Modify like Cabot Corp

A small touch of aerogel to the beauty products magnifies their properties. What are your thoughts on modifying an already available product and coming up with a new idea?

Put To Another Use Like Kalwall

Aerogel by nature is translucent with a blue tint. Kalwall used this property of aerogel and made use in construction for good daylight trapping in massive structures.

While maintaining the buildings’ aesthetics, their structures make the indoor ambiance cozy and conducive to living. They offer museum-quality daylighting™, Skyroofs®, skylights, canopies, and walkways with aerogels. Not only are these products great for natural lighting, but are also great as thermal insulators.

Another benefit of using Kalwall’s design system is, they help the tenants and owners save on energy expenses. The carbon footprints of these buildings are also low. Kalwall panels also claim to be self-cleaning and resist UV rays.

Innovations in Aerogels - Kalwall - Put to Another Use

Putting a product in a different market is a risk. But a little resilience and perseverance can bring success; Kalwall has proved this.

Eliminate With Bronx Culture

While manufacturing aerogel, Bronx Culture might have thought about one question: How can we achieve the same or better aerogel without superfluous byproducts? Or simply put: what can we remove in the process to make the end product equivalent or better?

Using the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) technique of making aerogel with cellulose fibers, Bronx Culture has developed Oryza Aerogel. Cellulose fibers are obtained by mulching the paper. NUS’s manufacturing process generates zero byproducts, saving the landfills from paper wastes.

Oryza Aerogel has no crystalline silica dust in the residues. This means a safe working environment for workers by minimizing the hazardous effects due to inhalation and contact.

Innovations in Aerogels - Bronx Culture - Eliminate - SCAMPER

Bronx also eliminated eco hazards by adopting green and eco-friendly manufacturing processes. The NUS technique consumes less energy and lesser hazardous chemicals. Paper that goes otherwise into landfills is now a source of aerogel.

Isn’t it time to go green and eliminate environmental perils in our innovations, just like Bronx Culture?

Rearrange Like Dunlop Racquets

“If you have always done it that way, it is probably wrong.” – Charles Kettering, Inventor

When Dunlop decided to manufacture racquets using aerogel, they might have one question in mind: How can we rearrange the current structure for better results?

Dunlop rearranged the design and structure of their racquets to provide more strength and shock absorption. Due to its extreme strength and lightweight, aerogel was a perfect answer to making the racquets better.

The company placed aerogel strategically at 2, 5, 7, and 10 o’clock positions in the racket’s hoop. This increased the size of the sweet spots and spiked the stability of the racquets. These racquets also have Dunlop’s patented Aerobridge technology. Aerobridge is a dampening system, which cancels string vibration. For this, they use an aerogel sleeve in the throat of the racquets.

Innovations in Aerogels - Dunlop Rackets - Rearrange - SCAMPER

The design has helped players win world titles. Rearranging or reversing a technology like reverse engineering is a proven and old style to handle problems and works well in many fields. 

What is one thing you can rearrange in a design or even look in the reverse direction to solve a burning issue?

Let’s Sum it Up

SCAMPER, time and again, has proven to be useful for problem-solving and innovating worthy products. The best part of SCAMPER is that it forces you to question the status quo and as you know best the breakthrough innovations come when you challenge the status quo. 

Do try it in your next R&D meeting. Whether you work as a one-person team or in a group, idea generation this way is systematic and result-oriented. So, which of the 7 methods are you choosing to solve a problem? Tell us in the comments section; we are open to brainstorming. Feel free to download the questions list for all the 7 methods by filling the form below!

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