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.
