It is no secret nowadays that patent data yields a rich and essential source of competitive intelligence. A significant volume (estimates range from 70 to 80 per cent) of technical and scientific information is only ever made available through patent publications. Translated by patent information experts using specialist software into technical, business and legal knowledge, it can help shape corporate strategy and steer R&D efforts in the right direction.
Minesoft has developed a collection of online patent solutions which help users from many different backgrounds and industry verticals to search, review and analyse this business-critical information. Patent data can provide insights into competitor activity, potential collaborators, technology trends and opportunities in a given market.
The Company-
Minesoft was established in 1996 as an ideal way to combine both Ann Chapman’s and her husband Ophir Daniel’s skills in sci-tech publishing and computer programming. At the time, Ann’s career was blossoming in the online publishing industry, managing and directing companies in the field of published patents, sci-tech, and business information whilst Ophir was an in-demand web-based developer working in the early internet era. Initially, they worked closely with Questel-Orbit for about five years in marketing, sales and product development before branching out with their own patent solutions in the first decade of 2000. Minesoft quickly gained market traction due to its innovative patent information products.
Since 2000, Minesoft has expanded its portfolio of innovative patent information products to include PatBase Express, PatentOrder, PatDocs, IPShare, Legal StatusTracker, Chemical Explorer, Pat-KM, APIs and PatBase Analytics. The company has established offices in the UK, Germany, and the USA – with additional dedicated representatives representing every corner of the globe.
In 2009 and again in 2015, Minesoft won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for outstanding achievement in rapidly growing export markets in the field of Intellectual Property (patent) Information. The continuous innovation in the firm was instrumental in Minesoft being awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for the second time in 2015. This coveted business award was given for impressive, sustained growth in International Trade. The company demonstrated outstanding achievement in rapidly growing export markets in the field of Intellectual Property (patent) Information.
In 2019, Minesoft received national and international awards for Best Overall Company of the year (Regional Chamber of Commerce) as well as Legal Tech Company of the Year from ACQ5 in 2021.
What Differentiates Minesoft?
Today, all manner of users want easy-to-query databases and the ability to seamlessly create everything from board-level presentations to detailed invalidity reports. Search and analytics features need to allow users to quickly go from initial query to intelligent graphical output, just as easily as creating search results ready to submit to worldwide patent offices. “We have worked to constantly develop our platforms to enable both professional searchers and business executives to quickly gain the ability to answer business-critical questions in the timeliest manner. Search platforms should be built for users, by users, irrespective of what background these user communities have.” Says Ann Chapman, “Ophir and his technical team strive to strike the balance between development cycles while listening to clients’ feedback.”
Whether it is a small or big update, Minesoft often collaborates with clients to build new solutions or adapt to suit user preferences. For example, the knowledge management platform, Pat-KM was built because there was a demand from legal professionals for a solution to foster collaboration and centralise patent information internally. More recently, due to a user’s request, a new update was added to PatDocs to expand the translation tool. Now, users can order machine-translated patent documents from over 25 jurisdictions!
The Road Ahead-
Minesoft is in good shape and have a great team around them to take the company further and faster in the upcoming years. Minesoft recently expanded its presence in the German and American markets with the formations of Minesoft GmbH and Minesoft LLC.
In 2021, the Minesoft Support team will be expanding the suite of online training/e-learning solutions for our customers as many continue to work remotely due to COVID-19. The regular strategic IP webinars, product training webinars and the Minesoft Knowledge Hub platform have been very well received by Minesoft’s customers.
“Behind the scenes there is some really important and exciting product development going on,” explains Ophir Daniel “we are keeping a lid on it for now but keep an eye out for a big announcement at the end of 2021.”
About the Founders-
Many people at Minesoft have been with the company for extensive periods and some, most of their careers. Minesoft has one of the lowest turnover rates in the industry and this helps to maintain continuity with client relationships and product and market insight. As well as this, the Executive Board has different skillsets and strengths, therefore complementing one another and bringing different perspectives to the table. There is some crossover, but no one could replace someone else or operate in another person’s sphere fully.
The Minesoft in-house development team, with innovation driver Ophir Daniel at the helm, mobilises Minesoft’s technical development. Many of the team at Minesoft have worked in the patent information industry for well over 15 years. Directors, Ann Chapman-Daniel, Rahman Hyatt, Jochen Lennhof (head of the German team), and Tim Campbell (head of the US office) are widely considered experts in the commercial side of IP, advising companies on their business and IP strategies and knowledge workflows. Minesoft’s global expansion over the years has enabled rapid growth in innovative strategies to help customers find the right tools in major industries around the world.
Founder’s Message to New Entrepreneurs-
“Choose a personally enjoyable path. In your own business, you are likely to work umpteen hours and will never be completely free of that feeling of responsibility, therefore work in a field you truly like. That would be my top tip.
Then you need to find experience in different aspects of a business. Try various roles, get out of your comfort zone, you may be surprised. Learn as much as you can about the main aspects of business, there are plenty of good books and Business Studies/MBA modules. Knowledge and impartial advice from expert consultants may be available to you, sometimes provided by government funding to help companies. Take advantage of it. Issues you face are not new, but you will need to maintain a very firm focus on the business to get it up and running. It is tiring and the buck stops with you, even on holidays and weekends. Take care of contracts and always use them. Work in a business-like fashion from day one. Get advice over the best form of funding if you need it (most people do) and be careful about this as so many startups go out of business because of cash flow or short-term funding problems. We left money in the business rather than spending it all and this helped us over some tricky moments during the first few years.
Also, carefully consider the team you build around you. No single person is a perfect business fit, therefore the people who accompany you on the path to success will be a critical choice.”
