TCBL HANDBOOKS
ASSOCIATE SERVICE PROVIDERS GUIDE
Co-funded by Horizon 2020
TCBL 646133 –ANNEX V TO D7.2 31st October 2017
INTRODUCTION This guidebook presents a definition of the role of Associate Service Providers (ASPs) in TCBL and specifies how they can integrate their offer into the TCBL Open Platform, how they will benefit from participation, and what obligations they will have to the TCBL community. Associate Service Providers play an important role in TCBL by participating in an open service environment that empowers all structures and actors, including the Business Labs, the Associate Advisors and the participating Enterprises in the Textile & Clothing (T&C) sector. The services involved include everything from matchmaking to tracing to logistics, and the TCBL Open Platform allows ASPs to easily connect with the innovation community and benefit from shared cloud services such as Single Sign On, cross-platform Activity Logs and Gamification, Skillaware™ learning and tutorial services, further described in the body of this guidebook, and others currently under development. This guidebook describes the ASP role in the ecosystem and the specific exchanges with other roles in TCBL, as well as the services provided to ASPs by the TCBL Open Platform. In addition, it lists the services providers invited to date and the aspects of formal definition still under discussion. This guidebook is intended for two main types of reader: -
-
Current, potential and future Associate Service Providers, interested in better understanding their role and how they can make best use of the tools that TCBL offers them. Those interested in interacting with ASPs and using their services.
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1. WHAT IS AN ASSOCIATE SERVICE PROVIDER (ASP) AND WHAT DO THEY DO? DEFINITION An Associate Service Provider (ASP) is an organisation that integrates one or more ICT based services into the TCBL Open Platform through TCBL Single Sign On (SSO), coherently with the TCBL principles. An Associate Service Provider thus has access to TCBL cloud services – Activity Log, cross-platform gamification, Skillaware™ learningware, and others – and can use these services to exchange data with other ASPs. The core set of services are provided by TCBL Project Partners, who cannot receive payment from ecosystem actors for the duration of the project. Otherwise, their services are considered on a par with external Associate Service Providers, and governance of the TCBL Open Platform will be shared among all providers. Integration with the TCBL Open Platform occurs simply by installing the TCBL SSO service. Associate Service Providers thus continue to maintain their user base and provide the services as they have done previously. Once connected, however, any ASP platform can be configured to: • • •
Accept TCBL users and experiment new licensing arrangements with all or parts of the TCBL community. Write platform events related to user activity to the TCBL Activity Log, in order to feed into shared cross-platform services such as Gamification. Under clear guidance from users, share data across platforms (i.e. profile details or company information) to facilitate the use of different services.
From the user’s standpoint, once login has taken effect on any TCBL platform, i.e. the main website, it becomes easy to navigate to any external service using TCBL SSO as though it were part of the same user environment. Individual ASP platforms may require additional information from a user to deliver a more effective service, and this can always be done through a secondlevel registration when needed. Today, TCBL services on the Open Platform include the following as examples: -
A matchmaking service linking designers and brands to T&C producers A supply chain management service allowing to track the environmental and social compliance through different levels of supply chain networks A business process modelling and execution service supporting collaboration across different companies
ASPS IN THE TCBL ECOSYSTEM The position of ASPs in the broader TCBL ecosystem is shown below:
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TCBL Ecosystem Governance – 2017 edition TCBL Handbooks Textile & Clothing Business Labs
The main roles here beyond the Service Providers are as follows: • • • •
Associate Business Labs are the main innovation drivers in the ecosystem Associate Enterprises are T&C businesses who adhere to the network through the yearly Calls, and they work together to form new Business Systems Associate Advisors are experts in related fields, and they provide innovation guidance while feeding the Knowledge Spaces (including, inter alia, the TCBL_zine) TCBL Project Partners manage the dynamics of business model innovation and the ecosystem overall. The coordination role will be taken over by a formally established TCBL network organisation following the conclusion of the EU project in June 2019.
Service Providers can be part of the TCBL partnership or external to it (Associates), but they all adhere to the common TCBL principles applied to the ASP role, as follows: TCBL Principle
Service Providers
curiosity
ASPs harvest value from the TCBL ecosystem to constantly innovate their service offer
viability
ASP services respond to effective business needs and foresee long-term sustainability
durability
ASP services contribute proactively to reducing the T&C industry’s environmental footprint
multiplicity
ASPs embrace service interoperability as active participants in a vibrant, multiplatform service ecosystem
openness
ASPs prefer open platforms and services and engage in open collaboration within the TCBL ecosystem with full transparency
respect
ASPs treat all information gained from within the TCBL ecosystem as commercial in confidence and recognise source licenses
responsibility
ASPs work to ensure the robustness of their service offer and recognize their responsibility towards service users.
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TCBL Ecosystem Governance – 2017 edition TCBL Handbooks Textile & Clothing Business Labs
In addition, ASPs agree to comply with or actively work towards the TCBL Data Policy, which is another operational application of the seven principles as follows: Principle
Data Policy
curiosity
Data is a common scientific good, and should have clear licensing to facilitate access from external sources.
viability
Data services should be part of viable business models and maintenance policies clearly stated.
durability
Data services should rely on energy-efficient storage and transmission infrastructures.
multiplicity
Interoperability should facilitate the use of different formats and standards while promoting convergence.
openness
Data should be open by default and data services available to the community.
respect
Data services should respect the confidentiality and privacy interests of those who provide or generate data.
responsibility
Data services should embed accountability to guarantee privacy, security and service quality.
SERVICE PROVIDER CONTRIBUTION TO THE TCBL ECOSYSTEM Service Providers contribute to the other components of the TCBL ecosystem as shown in the following diagram.
More specifically: •
•
ASPs will generally allow Business Labs free access to their platforms on an experimental basis, so the Labs can incorporate usage scenarios into their innovation research activities. Associate Enterprises will instead receive services on a commercial basis, using them as essential tools underpinning their business innovation strategies.
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TCBL Ecosystem Governance – 2017 edition TCBL Handbooks Textile & Clothing Business Labs • •
Advisors will use ASP services to enhance their service offer to clients, either as backoffice support or by promoting uptake as part of their consultancy The TCBL level benefits from ASPs by extending its user community and enhancing its global service offer, while also receiving a license fee for use of the TCBL label and Open Platform services.
SERVICE PROVIDER ADDED VALUE FROM ECOSYSTEM PARTICIPATION Participation in the TCBL ecosystem in parallel can bring significant benefits to both the short and long term prospects of an ASP, as shown below.
More specifically: •
•
• •
Business Labs co-design and experimentation can provide valuable feedback and input to service providers for the enhancement of their offer or applications in unexpected areas. Associate Enterprises will apply ASP services in innovative application scenarios, but above all will extend the customer base for each service provider to a select set of T&C businesses. ASPs may enter into specific marketing agreements with Advisors or simply apply normal licensing fees. The TCBL level benefits ASPs with the services provided by the Open Platform, together with participation in an evolving open innovation service ecosystem.
SERVICE PROVIDER ADDED VALUE FROM COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION Finally, ASPs can benefit significantly from the alliances with other service providers within the TCBL community, as shown below.
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TCBL Ecosystem Governance – 2017 edition TCBL Handbooks Textile & Clothing Business Labs
More specifically: • • • •
ASPs gain visibility and promotion within a select community through the TCBL website and platform. The aggregation of services on the Open Platform allows for ASPs to focus on their core value proposition, allowing related services to be handled by others. ASPs can benefit by sharing client bases coming from the same industry but meeting different needs through the TCBL Open Platform. ASPs can share data with other service providers to improve their service offer (i.e. through cross-platform services) or simply to smoothen navigation between services.
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2. THE TCBL OPEN PLATFORM Associate Service Providers integrate their services into and become part of the TCBL Open Platform. The Open Platform concept essentially means that the TCBL web service experience is made up of a range of platforms that are loosely linked together. The entry point is the TCBL communication platform at tcbl.eu (the main website based on the Drupal platform), but this in turn aggregates autonomous platforms for different sections: labs.tcbl.eu, zine.tcbl.eu, and so forth. This ‘loose coupling’ approach makes it easier for any provider to join the TCBL service ecosystem and gain the benefits described above.
The Open Platform is conceived as a series of concentric layers with the core cloud services at the centre and additional services grouped to deliver four different user views onto the services offered: • • • •
The Open Platform Toolkit is a TCBL space on Github with technical information and code; this is currently hosting the Single Sign On documentation The Knowledge Spaces gather services related to the exchange of knowledge, with the TCBL Zine platform as its main front end. Business Services is the collection of services discussed in this guidebook, including both those internal and external to the TCBL partnership. Communication Spaces is the main front end for the project, currently with the TCBL Drupal platform at tcbl.eu as the main entry point and the labs.tcbl.eu platform as the communication and exchange space dedicated to the Business Labs.
The Open Platform offers the following back end services (most of which are visible in the schema above).
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TCBL Ecosystem Governance – 2017 edition TCBL Handbooks Textile & Clothing Business Labs
Service
Description
Single Sign On (SSO)
Allows end users to seamlessly access all TCBL ASP services
Activity Log
Can be configured to capture and classify platform events from any ASP service using SSO
vDiscover
Semantic engine that harvests links from TCBL ASP platforms and services and provides common search functionalities
Skillaware
Learningware that can generate real-time user guidance, videos and manuals to facilitate the uptake of any ASP service
Gamification engine
Simple rule-based engine that can gamify cross-platform activity using the Activity Log
Blockchain writer
Feasibility study to allow the Activity Log or individual ASP services to write directly to blockchain services.
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3. ASSOCIATE SERVICE PROVIDERS TO DATE Through a series of different means, including the Calls for Associate Enterprises, proposals to the TCBL Open Procedure for new partners in 2016, etc., contacts have been established with a range of potential service providers. Discussions are on-going with them to define the terms of the procedure of becoming an ASP beyond the expression of interest and the installation of the TCBL SSO, i.e. by some minimal formal agreement. To date, the services in progress include three types: those offered by TCBL project partners, those offered by invited external companies, and those under development in the TCBL Startups programme. These are listed in the following. TCBL PROJECT PARTNERS Service
Partner
Description
bpSquare
Skillaware
Work environments modelled on business process flows
Sqetch
Sqetch
Matchmaking between fashion designers / brands and producers
Thela
Cleviria
Supply chain management for social and environmental compliance
INVITED ASSOCIATE SERVICE PROVIDERS Name
MS
Description
CCEG (Olinga Ta’eed)
UK
Social Value accounting and blockchain based transactions
Sourcebook
DE
B2B matchmaking platform for sustainable fashion
We Connect Data
BE
Data analytics supporting the development of creative communities, WEAR Sustain project
Remokey
IT/NL
Certification of recycled cotton along the value chain
Reverse Resources
UK
Remanufacturing textile leftovers
Multidata
IT
IT services to the textile and clothing industry
GFT
IT/DE
IT systems supporting business innovation, incl blockchain services
ORT
FR
Data driven solutions enhancing the workforce through digital skills
STARTUPS (POTENTIAL ASPS) Name
MS
Description
By & For
DE
Design and making service based on Kniterate machine, a desktop Knitting machine
Ego
IT
Day dress sharing service
KidKit
EL/IT
Children’s clothing rental service for the holiday period
Textour
IT
Match making geolocalize mobile app promoting experience and itineraries based on the world of textiles
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4. NEXT STEPS In the coming months, the priority will be to work in parallel in two directions: • •
Integrate a key number of ‘external’ ASPs into the Open Platform through SSO Define the minimum requirements for an MoU to formalise collaboration
From there, the following issues will be addressed together: • • •
Use of the Activity Log and experimentation of cross-platform gamification Discussion on data models for common elements and the issues involved in data sharing Discussion on costing and licensing issues as well as governance models for ASPs
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TCBL Ecosystem Governance – 2017 edition TCBL Handbooks Textile & Clothing Business Labs
DOCUMENT INFORMATION REVISION HISTORY This document is Annex V to TCBL Deliverable 7.2, “Value Exchange and Governance Framework version 2”. Authors: Simon Delaere (imec), Paolo Guarnieri (Prato), Michele Osella (ISMB), Elisa Pautasso (ISMB), Luca Leonardi (ARCA), Jesse Marsh (Prato), and Fabrizio Cardinali (Skillaware). This Annex in particular is written by Jesse Marsh. REVISION Version 1
DATE 31.10.2017
AUTHOR Jesse Marsh
ORGANISATION
DESCRIPTION
Prato
First draft for review
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY This deliverable contains original unpublished work except where clearly indicated otherwise. Acknowledgement of previously published material and of the work of others has been made through appropriate citation, quotation or both.
COPYRIGHT This work is licensed by the TCBL Consortium under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, 2015-2016. For details, see http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ The TCBL Consortium, consisting of: Municipality of Prato (PRATO) Italy; German Institutes for Textile and Fiber Research - Center for Management Research (DITF) Germany; Istituto Superiore Mario Boella (ISMB) Italy; Skillaware (SKILL) Italy; The Oxford Brookes University (OBU) UK; imec (IMEC) Belgium; Tavistock Institute (TAVI) UK; Materials Industrial Research & Technology Center S.A. (MIRTEC) Greece; Waag Society (WAAG) Netherlands; Huddersfield & District Textile Training Company Ltd (TCOE) UK; eZavod (eZAVOD) Slovenia; Consorzio Arca (ARCA) Italy; Unioncamere del Veneto (UCV) Italy; Hellenic Clothing Industry Association (HCIA) Greece; Sanjotec - Centro Empresarial e Tecnológico (SANJO) Portugal; Clear Communication Associates Ltd (CCA) UK.
DISCLAIMER All information included in this document is subject to change without notice. The Members of the TCBL Consortium make no warranty of any kind with regard to this document, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The Members of the TCBL Consortium shall not be held liable for errors contained herein or direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The TCBL project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Programme for research, technology development, and innovation under Grant Agreement n.646133.
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