Research and Development
Bittium continued significant investments in its own products and product platforms. In JanuaryDecember 2018 the investments were 34.4 percent of net sales.
The investments focused mainly on expanding the tactical communication product portfolio targeted to defense industry and on the development of different terminal products and their related software targeted for Mobile Security and Public Safety markets. In 2017, Bittium started to develop new software-defined radio based Bittium Tough SDR product family that includes tactical Bittium Tough SDR handheld and Bittium Tough SDR vehicle radios. In addition, Bittium continued to develop secure smartphones and the related security software. The investments were also continued into the further development of the products intended for measuring and monitoring of biosignals.
A significant part of the capitalized R&D investments is related to developing tactical communication handheld and vehicle radios and investments related to the further development of the secure smartphones and the related security software, as well as from the investments related to the further development of products intended for biosignal measuring and monitoring.
The depreciation plan of the capitalized R&D investments has been updated starting from November 2017 onwards. The depreciations are now made based on time. Previously part of the investments was depreciated based on the forecasted production amounts of the capitalized R&D asset. The update improves the allocation of the depreciations for the periods under review. The update of the depreciation plan has no effect on the evaluation of comparative periods.
R&D investments, MEUR | 2018 12 months |
2017 12 months |
Total R&D investments | 21.6 | 15.0 |
Capitalized R&D investments | -15.1 | -5.8 |
Depreciations and impairment of R&D investments | 0.4 | 0.3 |
Cost impact on income statement | 6.9 | 9.6 |
R&D investments, % of net sales | 34.4¤ | 29.1% |
Capitalized R&D investments in balance sheet, MEUR | 2018 12 months |
2017 12 months |
Balance sheet value in the beginning of the period | 11.9 | 6.4 |
Additions during the period | 15.1 | 5.8 |
Acquisitions of the business | ||
Depreciations and impairment of R&D investments | -0.4 | -0.3 |
Balance sheet value at the end of the period | 26.6 | 11.9 |