OpenSky launches new Innovation & Research Division with €1 million investment

OpenSky, Ireland’s leading GovTech transformation specialist which provides automated solutions to public sector bodies, today announces that it has launched its new Research Projects Division.
Headquartered in Naas, Co Kildare, OpenSky plans to invest in research and innovation projects through the new department, taking its spend in this area up to €1 million annually. The investment will go towards a dedicated team headed up by Tudor Pitulac, who recently joined the company as Manager of Research Projects.
It will also allow the Research Projects Division to strengthen the technology expertise of OpenSky team members in Robotic Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Analytics, allowing them to explore new opportunities for customers and develop smart digital platforms with the best future-proofed technologies.
These software platforms and solutions will enable greater efficiency, enhance service delivery and supportinnovation for government agencies and service-based enterprises. In turn, this will contribute to further employment opportunities in OpenSky and generate additional revenue for the organisation.
The new division aims to attract and deliver grant aided research projects through Horizon 2020, the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme, and is currently working on its first project called Carelink, a collaboration with the Telecommunications Software and Systems Group (TSSG). The goal of the project is to deliver a low cost, connected health solution which allows carers to monitor the location and proximity of their loved ones suffering from dementia, thus reducing stress and anxiety for both the carer and the patient.  Welcoming the announcement, Kevin Doolin, Director of Innovation at TSSG, said “This is great news for OpenSky and for the research community in Ireland in general. Carelink is a strategic project for TSSG and we hope to build deeper collaborative relationships with OpenSky in the future”
OpenSky is part of a European consortium which is creating an adaptive wearable and cloud-based ecosystem to meet the unique needs of people with dementia and their carers. The project also develops intelligent IoT-connected services such as a smart-energy wireless sensor, an alert system and a training and information portal. Gary McManus, Carelink project co-ordinator, said “The Carelink team and I are delighted to work with OpenSky and continue our research in Carelink. This funding is invaluable to people with dementia and their carers as we work towards an intelligent monitoring solution to improve their quality of life.”
The establishment of the dedicated Research Projects Division within OpenSky is key to the company’s long-term plans which include continuing to increase revenue by 30% year-on-year and further expanding into international markets such as the UK and North America. Earlier this year, the organisation also announced the creation of 80jobs.
Michael Cronin, Managing Director, OpenSky, said: “Our aim is to help create smart cities and communities globally, which are underpinned by digital government services, integrated transport systems and efficient environmental and resource strategies.
“This new Research Projects Division ties in with our objective to improve the way the nation works and create a digital government that works by delivering better citizen access and streamlining operations.
“In order to make this a reality and support our customer base, we have to continually invest in the best talent and utilise the latest technologies. We also have to ensure that we equip our team members with the skills, training and resources that allow them to build new expertise, which is central to transformation and innovation.”
OpenSky will introduce Tudor Pitulac and the new Research Projects Division at its next seminar, which is entitled“Drivers for Innovation in Government” and will take place on October 17^th in the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin. Senior decision makers in business and technology units in government will be in attendance.
About OpenSky
OpenSky Data Systems is Ireland’s only govtech transformation specialist which provides innovative IT solutions and consultancy services to public sector bodies. Based in Co Kildare, it employs more than 80 employees and has successfully delivered major projects for 50 organisations in the sector impacting 2.5 million people every day. Formore information, please visit: https://openskydata.com/

• Division aims to attract and deliver grant aided research projects through Horizon 2020; the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme
• Company will continue to invest annually in research and innovation
• Will provide additional revenue to grow OpenSky’s technology expertise
• Enables team to explore new opportunities for customers and partners
• Supports expansion plans into UK and North America
• First project co-financed by Horizon 2020 called Carelink involves collaborating with TSSG to support people with dementia
• OpenSky aiming to create smart cities and communities globally

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