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LONDON (Alliance News) - First Derivatives PLC, which provides software and consulting to finance, technology and energy institutions, on Thursday said it has created a new research and development division in Ottawa, Canada, and named a chief scientist and head of the new division in the process.
The so-called FD Labs has been told to "identify, innovate and develop" new software product opportunities in emerging areas such as software-as-a-service analytics, fast data visualisation and the Internet of Things.
FD Labs will collaborate with First Derivatives' global product teams.
First Derivatives said the new division will focus its "global expertise" in embedded software, programming languages, Cloud/SaaS environments, User Experience and IDE technology, machine learning and predictive analytics.
In addition, the company said it has appointed Dave Thomas - known for his experience in the software industry as an engineer, consultant, architect, executive and investor - and his long-time collaborator Dr Brian Barry to play "key roles in advancing its innovation agenda".
Thomas has been handed responsibility for "new product strategy, technology outreach and evangelism". He was named chief scientist.
Barry will become the head of FD Labs with responsibility for management and growth.
By Samuel Agini; samagini@alliancenews.com; @samuelagini
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