Why you Need it.
Horizon scanning is a technique for detecting early signs of potentially important developments through a systematic examination of potential threats and opportunities within the Industry.
The method calls for determining what is constant, what changes, and what is constantly changing. It explores novel and unexpected issues as well as persistent problems and trends, including matters that have not been considered and to some extent could potentially challenge past assumptions and Industry expectations.
A solid ‘scan of the horizon’ can provide the background to develop strategies for anticipating future developments or potential risks and thereby take the appropriate actions in due time. It can also be a way to assess trends to feed into a product development process or new technology solution.
The objective of ALS Horizon Scanning is to provide the right information to the right person at the right time so that the right decision can be made.
How does it work?
Horizon scanning is research based on a wide range of sources from across the Industry, helping to develop the big picture behind the issues to be examined. Our research covers a wide variety of sources, such as the Internet, government ministries and agencies, non-governmental organisations, international organisations and companies, research communities as well as on-line and off-line databases and journals.
In particular major industry sources include but are not limited to:
• The Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
• The Food Standard Agency (FSA)
• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
• The Food & Drink Federation (FDF)
• The Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
• The Institute of Food science & Technologies (IFST)
• FDBusiness Europe
• Society of Food Hygiene & Technology (SOFHT)
• The Food Authenticity Network
• Various magazine publication, Etc.
Each source is checked on a daily basis to give the most up to date information, with real time alerts from the most important sources to ensure no critical information is missed. The Horizon Scanning team then read and analyse the information, record what is relevant to our clients’ focus then finally the Information is collated and distributed to our clients at an interval that is suitable for them through ALSolutions.
Tailor Made to Your Needs.
Our Horizon Scanning service is managed by a dedicated group of experts, who use their knowledge and experience identify themes that might be relevant to our clients and could influence shape the Industry future.
ALS aim to understand client’s requirements in order to guide the gathering of information and avoid potential information overload.
* An ad-hoc subscription with fortnightly notification, where ALS select the topics that are deemed to be relevant to the client’s Industry/ Business.
* A bespoke subscription where the client defined the frequency of the notification and scope of the topics.
We always remain open to receive feedback from clients, enabling them to offer their views concerning ALS horizon scanning process and thereby create a basis for making any necessary adjustments and corrections, ensuring that we can provide the best data analysis and service.