30
bqlive.co.uk
IP
CRITICAL DATABASES
Digitonic retained its spot at number one in the Critical Databases table this year thanks to its extensive experience in data compliance and controls, updated in light of GDPR. Synoptica, a company that offers an innovative data gathering service for customers through the company’s online software platform, scored highly in second place. Its platform enables customers to easily compile public information about a target business in a digital report, which has allowed Synoptica to collect a host of data and analytics over the years. In third place was new entrant, Shot Scope Technologies, a company reliant on critical datasets, that has developed a GPS golf watch and performance tracking software for golfers, has subsequently mapped hundreds of golf courses around the world using its technology. Although GDPR may have focused people’s minds on the importance of clean data, it’s clear in the current market that “rich” data on customers, their behaviour and their interactions with products and services are important to any successful business model and so database management continues to be vital to B2B and B2C companies. In order to facilitate the collection of “rich” data, companies appear to be moving away from basic database packages such as Microsoft Excel, and purchasing licences to use complex database systems, such as Salesforce and Zoho. 84% of entrants have now migrated from Excel to a more sophisticated system, up from 66% the previous year.
1
Digitonic
11
Dogtag
2
Synoptica
12
Lifescaped
3
Shot Scope Technologies
13
LUX Assure
=4
M Squared
14
Biovici Diagnostics
=4
Metail
15
P2i
6
wOndary
16
Good Loop
7
Polarisoft
17
Miigen
8
Kromek
18
Heald
9
Wearable Technologies
19
Appointedd
Datatecnics Corporation
20
Minerva Research Labs
10
IP
TRADE SECRETS
Trade Secrets was undoubtedly this year’s most improved IP asset class for the top performers. First-placed entrant, P2i, advanced significantly in this area thanks to a complete overhaul of its trade secret management, including the drafting of a new trade secret policy and the provision of companywide staff training around the importance of trade secrets in business. Digitonic improved its position having developed its own internal wiki to manage its trade secret register and implemented further protection clauses to its employee contracts and NDAs. These improvements earned second place in this category. Third place was secured by Lifescaped, which relies on strict use of embargoes and NDAs to ensure its innovative technology and ideas are adequately protected. Top performers aside, Trade Secrets continues to be an overlooked asset class among many IP League Table entrants. This is an area that will undoubtedly garner more attention in June this year with the introduction of the EU Trade Secrets Directive offering companies greater legal protection from trade secret theft.
1
P2i
11
Mussett Engineering (6t9 Technology)
2
Digitonic
12
COREX (UK)
3
Lifescaped
13
Grid Smarter Cities
4
MATIVISION
14
wOndary
5
M Squared
15
Stevenson Astrosat
6
DP Governance
16
Metail
7
Canon Medical Research Europe
17
WFS Technologies
8
LUX Assure
18
Kromek
9
Good Loop
19
Synoptica
10
Connect-In
20
Smith & Sinclair