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Information Technology Collaborations Peter Rossiter SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc, Ottawa, Canada. Presentation Outline. SkyWave background Move to CRC Innovation Centre Two SkyWave/CRC collaboration case studies Observations. SkyWave Background. Private Canadian company
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Information Technology Collaborations Peter Rossiter SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc, Ottawa, Canada IMSC99 Ottawa, Canada
Presentation Outline • SkyWave background • Move to CRC Innovation Centre • Two SkyWave/CRC collaboration case studies • Observations Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
SkyWave Background • Private Canadian company • 4 experienced engineers/managers • Spin off from parent company -1997 • Had great ideas for satcom products • Urgent need for premises and additional technology Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Move to CRC Innovation Centre • Contacted CRC business dev office • Visited CRC to discuss business plan & needs • Viewed available accommodation • Moved in & signed lease • Elapsed time 2 weeks Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Eligibility for Admission to Innovation Centre • Need to access CRC facilities • Need to access CRC researchers • Need to access to CRC IP • (eg Satcom) Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Aerial View of CRC Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
SkyWave Premises at CRC Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Startup Phase • Temporary office/lab accommodation • Some physical improvements made • Network/Internet connection • Telephones • Finalize product development thrust • Start product development program Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
First Case Study DMR-200 Development • Low speed data terminal • Global applications with Inmarsat • Extensive use of CRC facilities: • Antenna design expertise • Antenna & environmental test facilities • Machine shop for prototype enclosures Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Inmarsat D+ Terminal DMR-200 Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Typical Applications • Asset tracking • Covert tracking • Security (asset/personal/site) • SCADA • Untethered • Military Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
DMR-200 on the Road Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
CRC Facilities and Services • Antenna design contract • Hourly charge for test facilities use • Monthly rent for occupied space • Commercial rates • Responsive & enthusiastic support by CRC personnel Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
SkyWave Engineering Lab Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
CRC Machine Shop Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
David Florida Lab Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
CRC Library Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Typical Antenna Test Data Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Second Case Study: High Speed Terminal • Identified new CRC R&D activity • High speed modem development • Saw commercial application • Proposed collaboration • CRC developed modem • SkyWave developed proto terminal Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Costs • Market rates for office space, Internet access etc. • Market rates for consulting services • Hourly rates to rent test facilities, machine shop, graphics arts • Pay as you grow. Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Customer Reactions • “Great concept” - Australian militaryvisitors, • “Sweet deal” - US paging company, • “Great credibility” - UK satcom organization, • “Wise approach” - German visitors. Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Observations (1) • CRC/SkyWave collaboration was very beneficial during SkyWave startup • CRC staff very supportive & responsive • Wide range of expertise available • Extensive technology & IP resources • Licensing IP is encouraged • Reasonable costs Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Observations (2) • Use CRC to complement own skills • Spirit of give & take is essential • Relationships are very important • Respect policy/resources/equity constraints, and • Expect to “graduate” in 2-3 years Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999
Would we do it again? • You Bet! Federal Partners Technology Transfer Workshop, Ottawa, June 1999