We have grouped the overall project work in into four areas, all of which have been vital parts to the project's success.
1. Solution development
2. Pilot project
3. Dissemination, growth, expansion activities
4. Research work
Following is a brief summary and main results around each of these four areas:
1. Solution Development
Development of the solution has been a significant success. From the early design sketches and technical planning, through to a tool that is actively in use in several municipalities today - with all the twists and turns that occur in development projects - we are very happy with what our development team has achieved in less than 20 months. Major highlights: a patent-pending method of GIS distribution (with Swedish Patent Office); an improvement to the initial integration plans and ending up with an integration into 700+ business systems; translation capability and translation of the entire system into five languages; the huge library that we have built of real-time public open data feeds from all over the world.
2. Pilot project
The pilot project was a vital part of our project and early testing with our pilots provided excellent feedback and led to changes and improvements in the solution. The pilot project began well when we secured our first pilot agreements three months ahead of schedule, and the hands-on method of conducting our first pilots was beneficial. The feedback we received came from both municipality users and testers (in our living lab process) and also from the actual end-users (citizens) who downloaded the apps and added helpful ideas and suggestions. We are thankful to the wonderful citizens of Sotenäs and Ale in Sweden who have been very helpful!
4. Dissemination, growth, expansion activities
A large section of our project was focused on dissemination and growth/expansion activities with a number of related milestones and deliverables. We feel the dissemination activities have had great impact via a range of activities including: digital media (blogging, social network connection, web material), educational material, networking, speaking at conferences (for example International Open Data Conference), media press releases and coverage, recognition in awards (such as the Open Stockholm Award), connection into the Smart Cities Council network, attending industry events, and direct reach-out to municipalities. This work has been mainly focused in Sweden, but we have grown this into the New Zealand office and market, where we have attracted further interest and awareness and even signed two municipality clients. Beyond this we have had contact with governments in more than 15 countries already, thanks to our dissemination activities. Our international presence and awareness continues to drive both customer and investor interest.
5. Research activities
Alongside the development, piloting and expansion work - we have had Stockholm University's eGovlab, SP (Sweden's Technical Research Institute), and two internal consultant researchers conducting different research elements for us. This has included TIS analysis (Technology Innovation Systems Analysis), a living lab process/assessment, a Gender Impact Assessment, and eGovlab's Test Bed Program which has given technical and theoretical input and helped to network and connect us to opportunities for improving / growing the solution. These pieces of work have all provided valuable connections, valuable insights and ideas that have led to changes/improvements and good benchmarking information.
