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5 Predictions About The Future Of R&D And Technology

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Cale Bannister
5 Predictions About The Future Of R&D And Technology

The R&D industry has itself been growing and changing for decades, making the process of discovering new scientific and technological advances increasingly accessible. Nowadays innovative trends, predominantly focused around data and cutting-edge technology have helped to improve efficiencies throughout the industry.

Based on what we’ve seen in our years of R&D industry experience so far, here are five predictions on what we think is likely to come about in future:

1. Searchable data

Big data has meant the harvesting of massive amounts of information, which in turn can be difficult to sort through when looking for a specific figure or result. Analytical data stores will in future require more advanced searchable features to help solve this problem. The ability to trace and locate a piece of data will provide support in assembling intelligent results and data analytics. This in turn can offer better quality processes overall and hopefully reduce risk.

2. Variation of software

There are all sorts of different types of techniques and software available to assist companies in analysing their data. From off-the-shelf commercial offerings to customised and bespoke software, plus everything in between, company decision makers will be able to make more tactical choices about their analytical data and how it’s used to make sure the business is a success going forward.

3. Shifting to decision making that’s “data-driven”

The days of lengthy analysis reports and rigid information management systems will move aside for more flexible decision support interfaces. To effectively support R&D projects of the future, companies will begin to transition decision making to live data results instead of from documents. This will in turn play an important role in the way reports are presented to stakeholders.

4. Cloud storage and larger hard drives

All this extra data and analytical capacity will also point to a requirement for more storage space, regardless of the technique or business industry. This increase in information will necessitate cloud storage and larger hard drives.

5. Data security challenges

As technology moves on, the secure exchange of data when being transferred between organisations will become increasingly important. With companies collaborating globally, information transmitted across time zones and using different methods could mean there’s opportunity for the data to be compromised. Organisations will need to design strategies for stopping unwanted third parties from accessing data, through increased security.

Why is it important to invest in R&D?

Research and development (R&D) is about a company seeking to gain knowledge about the design, development and enhancement of its products, process, services or technologies. In addition to creating new products and upgrading old ones, investment in R&D will serve to connect various parts of an organisation’s strategy and business plan, such as cost reduction and marketing.

Many of the advantages of research and development are obvious, such as the chance to launch new product lines or boost productivity, but there are less obvious ones too. For example, some investors actively seek out firms that have aggressive and demonstrable R&D programmes. In certain cases, smaller businesses can be acquired by bigger companies in the industry simply because of their R&D work.

What are qualifying R&D activities?

To qualify for R&D Tax Credits, an organisation must carry out research and development activities that meet the following criteria. The R&D project must:

  • Involve investigative, experimental or systemic activities
  • Be in the field of technology or science
  • Involve some element of basic or applied research
  • Look to resolve a scientific or technological uncertainty
  • Be experimental or mean taking a risk of some kind

If your Irish company has undergone R&D work recently then you may well be able to claim R&D tax credits in Ireland

 

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Cale Bannister
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