Collaborative innovation in ubiquitous systems

Advances in microelectronics, semiconductor and information and communication technologies allow the creation and the development of ubiquitous systems. These intelligent systems would enable and support new dimensions of collaboration that can make business processes more efficient. In this paper, we analyse the possible contribution of the upcoming level of intelligence to collaborative innovation processes within and between enterprises as well. Considering collaborative networks and virtual organisations we propose a cyclic structure for innovation and a number of ubiquitous systems that have the potential to support different phases of the process. They would empower already existing Data Management Systems by functionalities and features of ubiquity and contribute to the future extension of the product lifecycle management approach (PLM).