Periodic Reporting for period 2 - OpenContinuum (An Open Ecosystem for European strategic autonomy and interoperability across the computing continuum industry)
Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2024-08-31
During the final phase of the OpenContinuum project, significant progress was made in achieving the set objectives. The project enhanced synergies with major European research and innovation initiatives, promoting the adoption of cloud, edge, and IoT solutions from Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects.
The core focus was to build a sustainable ecosystem within the computing continuum community, integrating cloud, IoT, and edge technologies. OpenContinuum successfully engaged researchers, developers, and users across Europe, addressing fragmentation in the field. This led to the development of a shared roadmap and supported new business models and future standards.
In the final 12 months, the project worked to complete all activities and lay a solid foundation for future work. Strategic partnerships with Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs) and Horizon Europe projects, such as Nexus Forum, supported the transition from IoT to the Cloud-Edge-IoT Computing Continuum. Throughout, all deliverables were submitted on time, milestones met, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) achieved. The project concluded successfully, with resources aligned to its goals.
Efforts focused on promoting project results, particularly around open-source initiatives and standardisation. Workshops and training sessions highlighted open-source activities and tools. The project advanced standardisation through the approval of a standard project in SC41 (Architecture considerations for IoT, Edge, and Cloud), and the European Cloud Edge & IoT initiative launched six task forces addressing key focus areas.
Task Force 3 delivered a reference architecture for the continuum, mapping research contributions to technological solutions. Collaboration with ISO/IEC began on developing a European standard for Cloud-Edge-IoT taxonomy and building blocks, advancing interoperability across Europe.
The project improved coordination and collaboration across the computing continuum portfolio, developing a unified taxonomy and strategic actions. OpenContinuum has established a strong foundation for future research, innovation, and collaboration beyond the project's conclusion.
The core focus was to build a sustainable ecosystem within the computing continuum community, integrating cloud, IoT, and edge technologies. OpenContinuum successfully engaged researchers, developers, and users across Europe, addressing fragmentation in the field. This led to the development of a shared roadmap and supported new business models and future standards.
In the final 12 months, the project worked to complete all activities and lay a solid foundation for future work. Strategic partnerships with Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs) and Horizon Europe projects, such as Nexus Forum, supported the transition from IoT to the Cloud-Edge-IoT Computing Continuum. Throughout, all deliverables were submitted on time, milestones met, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) achieved. The project concluded successfully, with resources aligned to its goals.
Efforts focused on promoting project results, particularly around open-source initiatives and standardisation. Workshops and training sessions highlighted open-source activities and tools. The project advanced standardisation through the approval of a standard project in SC41 (Architecture considerations for IoT, Edge, and Cloud), and the European Cloud Edge & IoT initiative launched six task forces addressing key focus areas.
Task Force 3 delivered a reference architecture for the continuum, mapping research contributions to technological solutions. Collaboration with ISO/IEC began on developing a European standard for Cloud-Edge-IoT taxonomy and building blocks, advancing interoperability across Europe.
The project improved coordination and collaboration across the computing continuum portfolio, developing a unified taxonomy and strategic actions. OpenContinuum has established a strong foundation for future research, innovation, and collaboration beyond the project's conclusion.
WP1 – OpenContinuum IMPACT
Overview of OS METAOS components and first analysis
First draft of the Open Source Stack
First analysis of initiatives, organisations and projects related to the continuum
3 webinars have been organised
2 F2F meetings, one organised and the other co-organised:
Toulouse - January 2023
Brussels - May 2023 Concertation and Consultation meeting
Dissemination and Community building activities
Embedded world 2023
Concertation and Consultation Meeting
Liaison with ENERSHARE project (energy data space) on open source development plan
Submission of D1.1
WP2 – OpenContinuum MAP & ACT
2 workshops with all ongoing CEI-related projects.
Continuum building blocks representing major architectural functionalities.
Faceted taxonomy for the continuum in document format.
Submission of D2.1
WP3 – OpenContinuum MOBILIZE
Submission of D3.1 and D3.2
Creation and launch of the EUCEI branding and communication kit
Launch of the social media channels and achieving great following
Improvement of the website UX and UI
Participation in 11 events to disseminate the initiative
Organisation of the webinar to launch the EUCEI task forces
Set-up of the TF6 - Communications and monthly meetings
Support a community of more than 45 projects
Organisation of the Concertation and Consultation meeting
Development of the reports on the research directions for 2025-2027
WP4 – OpenContinuum GUIDE
Submission of D4.1 D4.2 and D4.3
Overview of OS METAOS components and first analysis
First draft of the Open Source Stack
First analysis of initiatives, organisations and projects related to the continuum
3 webinars have been organised
2 F2F meetings, one organised and the other co-organised:
Toulouse - January 2023
Brussels - May 2023 Concertation and Consultation meeting
Dissemination and Community building activities
Embedded world 2023
Concertation and Consultation Meeting
Liaison with ENERSHARE project (energy data space) on open source development plan
Submission of D1.1
WP2 – OpenContinuum MAP & ACT
2 workshops with all ongoing CEI-related projects.
Continuum building blocks representing major architectural functionalities.
Faceted taxonomy for the continuum in document format.
Submission of D2.1
WP3 – OpenContinuum MOBILIZE
Submission of D3.1 and D3.2
Creation and launch of the EUCEI branding and communication kit
Launch of the social media channels and achieving great following
Improvement of the website UX and UI
Participation in 11 events to disseminate the initiative
Organisation of the webinar to launch the EUCEI task forces
Set-up of the TF6 - Communications and monthly meetings
Support a community of more than 45 projects
Organisation of the Concertation and Consultation meeting
Development of the reports on the research directions for 2025-2027
WP4 – OpenContinuum GUIDE
Submission of D4.1 D4.2 and D4.3
At the conclusion of the OpenContinuum project, significant progress has been made in fostering a cohesive and sustainable computing continuum ecosystem across Europe. By addressing the challenges of fragmentation in cloud, edge, and IoT technologies, the project successfully promoted collaboration, synergies, and strategic coordination among Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe initiatives. This has led to the creation of a community framework, the development of a shared roadmap for future research, and progress in standardisation activities, which are key to the future of the computing continuum domain.
A major outcome of the project has been the successful building of a vibrant and engaged community of stakeholders, including researchers, developers, integrators, and users. This collaborative framework has been strengthened through task forces, workshops, and strategic events, which have enhanced innovation and capacity-building efforts. The project also made significant strides in raising awareness of open-source practices and contributing reusable open-source assets. Through these activities, OpenContinuum helped strengthen European open-source initiatives and established crucial connections between European alliances, initiatives, and partnerships.
In addition to community building, the project played a vital role in advancing standardisation in the computing continuum field. The development of a comprehensive taxonomy and reference architecture, which are critical for future research and innovation, has laid the foundation for common standards. These standardisation efforts were further reinforced by the approval of a new standard for the IoT, Edge, and Cloud architecture in SC41, a significant step towards ensuring interoperability and technological integration across Europe.
Engaging a wide range of stakeholders was another key achievement. OpenContinuum organised workshops and training sessions that focused on the use of open-source tools, knowledge dissemination, and increasing awareness of the project’s outcomes. These efforts not only promoted collaboration but also ensured that the project’s results were accessible and relevant to a broader audience.
To ensure continued success and further uptake of the project’s results, several areas require ongoing attention. Continued research and innovation are necessary to refine the reference architecture and explore new business models. For widespread market adoption, pathways need to be developed to facilitate the integration of open-source solutions into commercial products. Regulatory and standardisation support from European and international bodies will be crucial to maintain momentum and ensure broad adoption of the project's outputs. Expanding the project’s impact on a global scale will also require increased international collaboration and alignment with global standards and initiatives.
Overall, OpenContinuum has made important contributions to the European computing continuum ecosystem. It has created a sustainable community, developed a comprehensive framework for future research, and made key strides in standardisation. The project’s results provide a strong foundation for future innovation, collaboration, and technological advancement in the computing continuum, both in Europe and beyond.
A major outcome of the project has been the successful building of a vibrant and engaged community of stakeholders, including researchers, developers, integrators, and users. This collaborative framework has been strengthened through task forces, workshops, and strategic events, which have enhanced innovation and capacity-building efforts. The project also made significant strides in raising awareness of open-source practices and contributing reusable open-source assets. Through these activities, OpenContinuum helped strengthen European open-source initiatives and established crucial connections between European alliances, initiatives, and partnerships.
In addition to community building, the project played a vital role in advancing standardisation in the computing continuum field. The development of a comprehensive taxonomy and reference architecture, which are critical for future research and innovation, has laid the foundation for common standards. These standardisation efforts were further reinforced by the approval of a new standard for the IoT, Edge, and Cloud architecture in SC41, a significant step towards ensuring interoperability and technological integration across Europe.
Engaging a wide range of stakeholders was another key achievement. OpenContinuum organised workshops and training sessions that focused on the use of open-source tools, knowledge dissemination, and increasing awareness of the project’s outcomes. These efforts not only promoted collaboration but also ensured that the project’s results were accessible and relevant to a broader audience.
To ensure continued success and further uptake of the project’s results, several areas require ongoing attention. Continued research and innovation are necessary to refine the reference architecture and explore new business models. For widespread market adoption, pathways need to be developed to facilitate the integration of open-source solutions into commercial products. Regulatory and standardisation support from European and international bodies will be crucial to maintain momentum and ensure broad adoption of the project's outputs. Expanding the project’s impact on a global scale will also require increased international collaboration and alignment with global standards and initiatives.
Overall, OpenContinuum has made important contributions to the European computing continuum ecosystem. It has created a sustainable community, developed a comprehensive framework for future research, and made key strides in standardisation. The project’s results provide a strong foundation for future innovation, collaboration, and technological advancement in the computing continuum, both in Europe and beyond.