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What are the challenges and solutions for achieving a good R&D process?

As Innovation Program Director, or EU Expert, inmany different fields - Materials Engineering, Eco-friendly Innovation, Electrical Distribution Program portfolio Management - I have faced many different situations where proper management R&D Process is key.

In general, R&D process leads to success if it addresses the tryptic of :

i)Technical Resources (competences/expertise,tools, labs, IT, etc.)

ii)Programs & Project Management andorganisation

iii)Funding (budget, loans, etc.)

At the early stage of the project (or even before launch), a proper identification and long term planning of the competences is necessary. This is done via strategic partnership and open innovation programs, as well as HR competences screening.

In the initiation phase of the project, thanks to the Technical resources identification done previously, detailed project structuration (incl. work packages definition, project management methodology, KPI's, Deliverables etc.), project planning, and project management scheme are done.

Finally, according to Technical resources needs and project organisation, a proper funding is put in place. Financial constrains and/or restriction will of course impact the technical resources and project planning in an iterative manner. Which means that projects have to be set with enough flexibility to allow re-plannification and re-allocation of resources during the life of the project.

Could you briefly explain Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality?

In the Industry, Augmented Reality, and by extension Virtual and Mixed reality, has to be seen as a possibility for new type of interactions with machines, equipment and buildings.

Via the overlay of updated information on real or virtual world, AR/MR/VR allow intuitive access to data. The information appears to be relevant, self-explicit, and immediately available as no navigation and no abstraction is necessary. Interactive Guidance is also possible, indicating where to go, what to activate, and facilitating access to technical data or High Tech equipment for low experienced users.

AR/MR/VR allow then Improved field experience & knowledge sharing with better understanding of field issues. By example Textual reports can be replaced by photos, sound & contextual notes. On time access to KPI's is also a plus.

Finally security & safety can be improved, for example via display of dangerous areas, or control capabilities adapted to user profile and location.

How can the above add value to a business?

AR/VR/MR is a general trend. Its potential to add value has already been identified in many different fields, and a recent IDC report* mentioned that the Improvement of customer service, the enhancement of worker productivity and the perception of an advanced company by the customers are the three main qualitative benefits.

I would add, from my own experience, AR/MR/VR will have a positive impact on Offer Creation. While helping to develop new concepts and plans through seamless access to digital mock-ups on any kind of device, it will improve Innovation strategy, Voice of customer collection, as well as Ideation process.

The implementation of collaborative tools to use and interact with Virtual models will enhance Digital Employee Experience, and facilitate seamless access to any type of IT tool leading to productivity and agility.

In terms of Marketing, the possibility to deliver highly interactive, up to date 3D models, will allow Market research and customer/partner insight. By example, the possibility to interact in real time with Engineered Solutions may reduce engineering time and increase interactions with panel customers. As already seen in some exhibitions, the display of 3D models, appears to be a sales support and performance management tool.

* ARVR Spending Guide Review 2017 - IDC Customer Insights & Analysis, September 18, 2017. 

How can companies adapt their Innovation Strategy to a world redefined by digital transformation?

Let's take the example of Schneider Electric, the Leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation.

Recently the Company announced a major advancement in its collaboration with Microsoft Corp. Customers can now gain access to multiple cloud-based applications from Schneider's EcoStruxure architecture that utilise the full capabilities of the Azure cloud platform, as well as next-generation capabilities like mixed reality, to bring new levels of decision making capabilities, productivity and efficiency.

This will accelerate the delivery of cloud-based, IoT solutions, for all of Schneider Electric's end user segments; marrying Microsoft's experience in the cloud with Schneider Electric's deep domain expertise in power management, plants, machines, buildings, data centres, and grids, to empower companies in a wide variety of markets to use IoT as a competitive differentiator. 

Schneider Electric has also completed, in partnership with Accenture, the development of the Schneider Electric Digital Services Factory, a 'virtual' factory allowing to rapidly build and scale new offerings in areas such as predictive maintenance, asset monitoring and energy optimisation. Staffed with professionals from Schneider Electric and Accenture, the Digital  Factory gathers data from the millions of connected assets across Schneider Electric's infrastructure and customer sites to speed the development of new services, from ideation to industrialisation and market launch.

What would you like to achieve by attending the 7th Annual Market-Driven Innovation in R&D Conference?

As an Innovation and Program Manager professional, I'm seeing much value in the networking and exchange of experiences which occur in such Innovation Conference.
Moreover, the emphasis put on the "Market-Driven" approach, is a plus, and will open a new way of considering the potential of success of such Innovations.
The Conference moto "Become more connected to your customer and end-user with a fast and agile approach to R&D", really represents the everyday challenge of our Innovation and R&D programs.