Thus, it offers guidelines for developing an appropriate R&D strategy for high-tech companies:
1. Thinking about new ways to satisfy the customer.
It is essential to work constantly on expanding the range of equipment and solutions, without losing sight of the purpose of improving their characteristics and functionalities at all times, relying on the evolution of technology.
2. Invest in alternative approaches.
It is very important to innovate and constantly introduce new techniques and formulas that ensure and maintain the technological advantage necessary to stand out from the competition.
3. Evolution of human teams
It is necessary for companies to continually equip themselves with groups of engineers capable of enabling this constant innovation and who can also support the technological and market situation at any given time.
4. Continuing Education.
R&D departments must foster highly qualified teams; the level of training that companies provide to design engineers in this sector must be very high to fully develop their skills. Investment in personnel should be viewed as an investment with a delayed return.
5. Participation in the common construction of objectives
Another important point is the importance of approaching projects in such a way that communication and the contribution of ideas by all members are part of the general objectives, regardless of the personal specialization needed for each task.
6. Resource Optimization
A fundamental part of the process involves increasing performance through the reuse of techniques and devices, strategic analysis of projects, appropriate training, and focusing work on the assigned task.
7. Define and maximize profitability.
Companies in this sector produce goods for mass production, not experimentally for a few units. This latter point influences the process and highlights the importance of establishing objectives and specifications beforehand for project development.
8. Respect for the Environment.
The emphasis on sustainable production and environmental protection presents new challenges for research and development teams. Environmental legislation requires researchers to consider sustainability issues in their innovation approaches and identify the environmental impacts of the company's activities, products, and services.
9. Collaboration.
R&D teams can benefit from collaborating with research partners, which may include universities, suppliers, manufacturers, public bodies, or research firms. Collaboration allows the R&D team to develop skills and resources that it would not have access to within the company.
10. Cost Reduction.
Cost reduction is another important aspect of research and development. R&D teams evaluate alternative technologies or materials that can reduce a product's cost or make it easier to manufacture. Improving product performance and reliability can also impact the final cost by reducing maintenance requirements and minimizing the total cost of ownership.
Esther Gómez, CEO of Fibernet, adds that “R&D is the cornerstone of Fibernet and the foundation of the company's growth.” She explains that “Fibernet is using components considered ‘alpha’ products by its suppliers, who have complete confidence in this company to finalize their development. Currently, more than 30% of our company's resources are allocated to R&D, a figure that has remained consistent in recent years despite the economic climate that companies are experiencing and that forces them to cut back on many of their research areas.”.
