Fiber optic polishing and inspection equipment manufacturer KrellTech of Morganville, N.J., launched a website featuring an industry networking forum this week at Photonics West 2013. Called the Photonic Solution Center, the forum, designed for the optics and photonics industry, allows “members” to post questions complete with application notes and drawings, to look for hard-to-find products and to seek advice from peers. Product and service providers can view and respond to inquiries, and can post product releases, white papers and videos under the Technology Partners section. “We have a chance several times a year to meet at events, but the nature of the industry is such that many of the small to-medium-size companies with highly specialized and niche products don’t have a strong marketing arm, and potential customers don't know where to find them or the products they need,” said Al Cheswick, vice president of sales. “We believe this can be an invaluable tool for both, and a neutral, no-cost way to promote the industry.” Phase one of the solution center is a very basic, post-a-question, get-an-answer format, but the company intends to make the site a highly interactive mechanism focused specifically on photonics and optics and their applications. New users will be prompted to register as either a member or technology partner, or as both. Postings and answers are updated in real time and respondents can either answer privately via email or visible online. The service is free. For more information, visit: www.krelltech.com