FAQ

Operations Related

• What are the types of assignments that Scope is comfortable with?
  IP Related
  Scope is extremely comfortable in the following IP areas:

  • Prior art/ novelty/ state of the art search
  • Patent-related news services, newsletters, legal updates, monitoring of filings and approvals
  • Validity/ invalidity and infringement searches
  • Patent-related CI services, landscaping studies
  • Patent analytics

  Research Related
  Scope is extremely comfortable in the following research areas:

  • Information retrieval
  • News related services, Newsletter/ White paper preparation and editorial services
  • Company research related/ CI services, executive Biographies/ Board member reports
  • Industry/ MI related Reports and integration of primary and secondary research
  • Research Analytics (in collaboration with our group company Annik)
• How is Work submitted to Scope?
  Work is submitted to Scope through query from client via email or by the search request form submitted to Business Head/ Business Development Manager.
• How is Work Assigned and Distributed within Scope?
  A detailed study of the query from the client is conducted, followed by background research done by relevant internal domain experts and a proposal is submitted to client. On Approval of the proposal, the project managers distribute the work to the relevant domain experts' team. The project is executed and undergoes multiple levels of quality checks and final report is dispatched to the client by Business Head/ Business Development Manager.
• What is the search procedure used for research?
  IP Related
  A large number of freely-available patent databases such as the USPTO database, Espacenet and WIPO are searched while we also subscribe to premium resources such as Micropat, Delphion and STN. In cases where we get specific requests from our clients to use other patent databases, we typically ask the client to provide us access with the subscription or alternatively charge based on actuals for the subscription.

  Research Related
  We leverage our structured and comprehensive Web research methodology for sourcing relevant information from the public domain. Company websites, SEC filings, freely-available global technology, industry, business and government sources are thoroughly researched. We also subscribe to premium resources such as Hoover's and LexisNexis (for which only marginal costs are passed on to the client). In addition, for specific requests from our clients other databases such as Factiva, Bloomberg and CapitalIQ can be accessed. In such cases we typically ask the client to provide us access with the subscription or alternatively charge based on actuals for the subscription.
• How scalable is your service in terms of volume?
  IP Related
  In the past, we have ramped up very quickly both in terms of people and output to our clients' satisfaction. Scope has access to rich experienced resources and hence, can manage considerable volumes in a short period. For instance, in case of a US-based IP research company, we set up a team of about 5 people across multiple domains to handle search requests of about 10-15 per week within a period of about 2 weeks. Subsequent to a training period of 4 weeks, the team went live and processed the live requests. The team was expanded to about 10 people. From about 5 requests per week, the team was able to handle 15 requests per week in a few months time.

  Research Related
  In the past, we have ramped up very quickly both in terms of people and output to our clients' satisfaction. Scope has access to rich experienced resources and hence, can manage considerable volumes in a short period. For instance, in case of a company analysis assignment for a large UK-based research company, we set up a dedicated team of about 20 people within 2 weeks and trained them to go live in another 2 weeks. Subsequently, this team went on to create about 300+ strategic company profiles for this client over a 2-3 month period.
• What is the strength and profile of Scope's human resources that are used for the knowledge processing services?
  IP Related
  Scope has over 300+ patent specialists across multiple domains with about 30 of them trained exclusively on various patent searches, landscaping and licensing related assignments. The team comprises patent analysts, senior patent analysts, domain experts, assistant managers and a research manager. Patent research analysts possess bachelors or masters degrees in engineering, life sciences, chemistry, physical sciences and applied science. Our patent research analysts also possess hands-on experience in quick field-related IP searches and landscaping studies. Apart from this, we have a panel of subject matter experts in many scientific and technical domains to assist in validation and quality control.

  Research Related
  Scope has over 75 research resources comprising research analysts, senior research analysts, research managers and web research analysts. Research analysts belong to diverse backgrounds including engineering, science and commerce, all of them possessing MBA degrees. In addition, we have a vast pool of editors from multiple educational streams with profound linguistic capabilities. Apart from this, we have a panel of subject matter experts in many business and industrial domains to assist in validation and quality control.
• What language capabilities do you possess?
  Scope has in-house capabilities in German and French with high comfort levels in reading, writing and translating. Through our network of associates, we have capabilities in 18 different languages including Russian, Dutch, Spanish and Chinese.
• What are the data formats that you support?

  Scope's research products and services are delivered in a range of formats. Independent research offerings are available in MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Excel formats as well as online, in the case of using client's proprietary databases. Scope also supports delivery via the PDF format. Reports of varying lengths depending on the depth of analysis needed as well as providing outputs with comprehensive pictorial representations is a stronghold of Scope's IP & Research division.
• What work timings can you offer?
  The research team typically works according to Indian timings, i.e. from 9:30 AM IST to 5:30 PM IST, Monday through Friday. Through the year, Scope is closed for 12 public/ national holidays. Depending on the real-time needs of our clients, various teams can be deployed to work on multiple shifts across time zones. However, in such cases, additional charges to the pricing will be applicable.
• How is Work Delivered from Scope to its Clients?
  The project is executed and undergoes multiple levels of quality checks and final report is dispatched to the client through email or FTP by the Business Head/ Business Development Manager.
• How do you ensure the quality of the final output?
  IP Related
  We have a multi-layered quality process, in which the basic process is subject to first-level review for value addition by more experienced knowledge workers (peer reviews as well). This is subject to a further random quality audit and the deliverables or batch of deliverables are reworked, if necessary, until the benchmark quality level is achieved. A comprehensive set of parameters is tracked for every deliverable, including time of publication, duplication, search strategy, patent cleaning effectiveness, technology area etc. to facilitate the provision of domain-specific training, process changes and introduce automation tools for some tasks towards enhancing efficiency.

  Research Related
  We have a multi-layered quality process, in which the basic process is subject to first-level review for value addition by more experienced knowledge workers (peer reviews as well). This is subject to a further random quality audit and the deliverables or batch of deliverables are reworked, if necessary, until the benchmark quality level is achieved. A comprehensive set of parameters is tracked for every deliverable, including data accuracy, factual accuracy, language, interpretation, cause-effect relationship, logical flow of ideas etc. Time taken per deliverable is also measured across activity, section, industry area etc. to facilitate the provision of domain-specific training, process changes and introduce automation tools for some tasks towards enhancing efficiency.
• How can we assess the quality/ process of your company?
  We are willing to do a limited pilot assignment to showcase our capabilities.
• What are the methods of contact during our engagement with Scope?
  Our Business Development Managers (BDMs) in the US, Germany and the UK will be in constant touch with you at every stage, from enquiry through commissioning of the project/ pilot. For project/ pilot-related communications in the operational area, the general manager will be the primary contact person starting from the commissioning of the assignment. For all business and commercial communication, the contact persons will be the President, Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operations Officer of Scope. While direct email communication is possible only at the team leader and above levels due to security reasons, instant messaging is available only at the Business Head level. Depending on the requirement, the teams can collaborate with the client teams for a telecon/ web conference etc as well.

• Infrastructure and Data Security-related

• Is my data secure?
  We maintain the highest security standards in the industry for protecting your data. We are an ISO 27001 certified organization practicing high standards in firewalls and back-up storage of all data and files. Projects are executed with resources belonging to clearly distinguished user groups, isolated from one another via VLANs. Floppy and CD/ DVD drives are disabled and any carriage of portable storage media inside the facility is restricted and monitored stringently. Email access is restricted to the company mail server only. We also sign NDAs with all our clients and our employees.

• Pricing Related

• What is your pricing model?
  Based on the types of services provided and the volume/ duration of the assignment, various pricing models are possible. The options include (a) per-deliverable basis (b) per man-hour basis. For instance, in case of large volume projects with shorter delivery cycles, we will be charging on a per-deliverable basis. e.g., patent searches. Projects requiring development and continuous analysis will be charged on a per man-hour basis e.g. Patent landscaping studies, portfolio analysis etc. In addition, a FTE-based pricing is also possible. This will be applicable when we have a dedicated team of people working on a specific project for medium-long duration