Regarding long distance links and the development of the Fireflynet, the analysis of the communication of the equipment with the networks where it is targeted for deployment was carried out. Multiple use cases have been analyzed, instead of a single architecture approach as was initially scheduled. Validation of the selected calibration schemes was carried out at Universidad de Granada, and a thermal analysis for the equipment that can be found in typical networks was thoroughly carried out. For most use cases, synchronization accuracy can be achieved up to a few dozen picoseconds. Several real-case scenarios of different complexity were set up as pilots in collaboration with stakeholders. Interest exceeded expectations for terrestrial time costumers, and thus the number of pilots of long distance links has quadrupled what was initially planned.
With respect to the Linkedclocks development, the requirements that were needed in order to switch between a network of distributed time references were defined and implemented. The interoperability has been addressed with the inclusion of middleware solutions that enable the integration of multiple GNSS sources into a single virtual clock in an automatic and scalable way. Calibration issues were analyzed in collaboration with stakeholders, and the validation of the satellite time transfer solution and its redundancy capabilities have been carried out.
The business development process has grown in importance along with the course of the project. New markets have been identified and penetrated in order to expand business from a niche scientific market towards larger industries such as Finance and Telecommunications. In addition, the tasks in the scope of this project have contributed to a growth of almost 40% for 2018 and a predicted growth of 60% for 2019. IPR strategies have been defined with help of external coach.
International partnerships and collaborations have been established to have a presence in the largest markets in the world (United States, Central Europe, Japan, China). These have enabled Seven Solutions to attend a larger number of key events (conferences, trade fairs, etc) than ever before, increasing visibility and spread of the marketing efforts. Additionally, the network of commercial representatives and distributors have engaged a large number of new customers in key markets such as Finance.
Press releases, presentations in workshops, and other kinds of divulgation materials have been created and disseminated in order to raise concern about the vulnerabilities and risks that the Linkedclocks and Fireflynet solutions address. Online and offline marketing strategy has been improved and online media presence and interactions have been boosted.
In addition, with respect to communication with partners, meetings both face to face and online have become daily routine, and resources and tools are shared with key collaborators to speed up developments via two-party agreements.
All in all, the work and effort carried out by the different departments and the improvements in internal processes between them have been part of the success leading to the predicted increased growth. As an example, the number NDA arrangements with business associates has more than doubled in the second period of the action, exceeding the amount of 70 agreements. In summary, the SME Instrument project has consolidated the business carried out by Seven Solutions, and has generated a substancial incraease in the amount of workers employed by the company, that almost double the initial numbers.
