Four specific blocks of work have been performed during this reporting period, namely:
• A review has been performed of the evolution of port speeds, feeds and the cross over from electronic to optical switching
• A review of the main incumbent reference designs for Data Centre/IT network fabrics have been performed and a set of general optically enabled fabrics have been identified as part of this study. The latter form of a set of 3rd generation IT reference designs candidates incorporating optical switching, that Aperilink can bring to market
• An analysis of the Go-to-market (GTM) strategy and value, margin and pricing analysis across the main verticals has been executed and the pathways available to Aperilink have been identified.
• A review of the patent landscape, the IP patent strategy, freedom to operate has been performed, including identified and prioritised opportunities for further protection.
In each of the above, the main results that have resulted are:
- a review of all market analysts statistics in the Data Centre fabric market has allowed the size of the market available to Aperilink to be assessed. Some level of success has been made in validation of this market opportunity, through analyst, lead customer and though leader interviews. Further analysis is needed in Aperilink's specific chosen vertical and the next steps required have been outlined on the report.
- the strengthens and weaknesses, plus the types of architectures employed by different enterprises (categorised by the size of the organisation), of their IT/Data Centre infrastructure has been analysed. This, when analysed across Layer 1 to layer 4 of the OSI model, has allowed a number of optically enabled, cross layer interworked, reference blue print designs to be arrived at. These are outlined in the body of the main report.
- the GTM strategy is a critical element of the commercial success of this demanding market space. The current supply/value chains have been pulled part and analysed and a number of different margin and partnering models and innovations have been highlighted as being required for a successful market entry. Aperilink has identified a number of core partner relationships to make this happen and have already formed such relationships.
- a rigorous set of actionable outputs from the patent analysis exercise has exposed a number of core gaps and areas of protection that Aperilink can pursue and which will be instrumental in ensuring that the GTM strategy can be delivered. This, and the GTM strategy itself, are two of the main results from the current feasibility study.
