Projects

Browse this page to learn more about projects completed by Raef Mac Giollarnáth in various industry sectors:

Information and Communications Technology (ICT):

The European Commission has estimated that the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector accounts for 40% of Europe’s productivity growth and 25% of EU GDP growth. The contribution of the ICT sector to Ireland’s economy is even more important: the Irish ICT sector contributes 12% of the total Gross Value Added of the combined manufacturing and services sector.

The sector is rapidly changing due to increased competition and technical advances. Key projects completed by Limatel in the ICT sector include the following:

  • Industry Audit of key trends in European telecoms
  • Business process design and project management for the introduction of a sales channel for selling telecoms services to Irish SMEs
  • Feasibility study on the use of the mobile telephony network for fleet management
  • Report on Market and Price Positioning in the international voice call market


Small Public Service Vehicles: taxis, private hire vehicles, and ride-hailing

Limatel has extensive expertise in the sector for Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs) and has developed a specialty practice in that regard. Numerous projects have been undertaken to date that  address the regulation and market for taxis, private hire vehicles, and ride-hailing, as well as in-depth commissioned research on emerging technologies. Limatel also produced a comprehensive, 340-page publication – TaxiTech Europe – that is sold worldwide and addresses the use of technology in Europe’s Small Public Service Vehicles.

Amongst some of the issues in which Limatel has been engaged are the following:

  • Reviews of the setting and regulation of a Maximum Taxi Fare, including expert advice, international benchmarking of pricing, evaluation of Taxi Cost Indices, fare modelling and the production of Technical Guidelines on the Programming of Taximeters.
  • International Review on the supply, licensing and oversight of SPSV drivers in the taxi and private hire sectors.
  • Analysis and reporting of data sets relating to taxis from digitized taximeter records, vehicle mileage records and Cordon Counts.
  • Research and advice on emerging technologies in the sector. One significant recent project included an examination of the emergence of softmeters in North America, that are swiftly replacing the traditional, metrological controlled taximeter. Another addressed the introduction of Cashless Payments in taxis in Europe.
  • A Review of policy in different European States on the adoption of low-emission and electric vehicles in the taxi sector
  • Ridehailing Regulation: a review of the experience of six European countries as compared to North America.

Electronic Security and Asset Tracking

In the past twenty years, the market for electronic security and asset tracking has grown dramatically. The European market is estimated to be worth €26Bn, and to be growing at 8% per annum. There is considerable diversity in the structure of the industry from one country to another, and in the various sub-sectors. Most of the leading players are now active in several countries.

It is critical that operators keep abreast of the changing environment and monitor the activities of their competitors. We have completed a range of assignments in the sector and can advise on appropriate strategies for success.

  • Assessment of the market for electronic security products in the Irish Retail and Commercial sectors
  • Strategic Review for leading national alarm company
  • Identification of international opportunities within asset tracking
  • Competitive Analysis of Global Players in Electronic Security


Road, Rail and Sea – Transport & Logistics

Transport is a key part of the European economy, accounting for about 7 % of GDP and more than 5 % of total employment. The strong economic growth of recent decades, coupled with increased European integration, fuelled a rapid rise in the volumes of passengers and freight that were being transported.

Substantial investment in Europe’s transport infrastructure has already been undertaken, and further significant expenditure is planned over the coming years. A critical question for policy makers is the extent to which the increasing volumes of passengers and goods can be carried in a more efficient and productive manner. Strategies must be devised that recognise the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and that take account of the threat of increasing oil prices.

Limatel has worked with operators in the road, rail and maritime sectors to help them devise innovative strategies for growth and to employ increasingly sophisticated logistics functions. Limatel has also worked with a variety of state transport agencies.

  • Road: Review of the Irish Freight and Logistics Sector for State Agency
  • Rail: The use of rail freight in the British retail sector
  • Bus: Study of the effects on the bus network of the proposed extension to Dublin’s Light Rail system
  • Logistics: Commercial Analysis of the distribution strategies of European breweries
  • Maritime: Modelling and forecasting future international freight flows to Ireland
  • Maritime: Cost model of the Irish LoLo shipping industry
  • Postal: Identification of new markets in Ireland for leading alternative postal provider

 

Special Transport Services (STS) and Micromobility

Limatel also works in areas of Special Transport Services (STS) and Micromobility. Special Transport Services are those offered to certain groups such as the elderly, those with a disability, or those who are socially vulnerable. Micromobility addresses the role of small vehicles such as bicycles, mopeds and scooters in the transport system. Assignments undertaken include the following:

  • Specialized Examination and Research on the provision of transport services to those with a disability, including an international review of best practice and evaluation of relevant costs.
  • Investigation of the market opportunity amongst regulators in Europe for electronic solutions for the monitoring and reporting of subsidized transport trips.
  • Preparation of business plans and successful application for funds for community-based transport in STS.

Other

Limatel works in many other sectors, and its client base ranges from small businesses to large organisations. Some of our projects are completed in only a few months; on other contracts we have worked with clients on a contractual basis for many years. Recent projects include:

  • Formulation of Compliance Indicators for Regulatory Authorities
  • Feasibility Study and Business Planning for successful web start up
  • Study of Rural Enterprises in the west of Ireland – incorporating 10 case studies of SMEs in the region