SCALING YOUR PROJECT TO PRODUCTION ON INTELÂŽ IOT ARCHITECTURE
If you have yet to read through the previous steps we have outlined, please do so. There is quite a bit of valuable information to help make your project go smoothly. Â In our final step in the process, Scaling to Production, we are going to look at what it truly takes to put a product on the market. You may have thought our previous steps were intricate, it can be equally so in going to market.
Scaling to Production can mean many things to many people. For some, it is about entering into a manufacturing process. Â Others will see it as the steps necessary to build the product for eventual release. And some will see the process revolve around the intricacies of building an individual product.
While it can sound all quite similar, there is much to consider at this stage of the project. Â Questions such as is it mass producible? Would people buy it? Do the features fulfill the solution within the market? Does the product function as planned?
Below is a list of key aspects in regards to scaling up your prototype to a production level. While this list is not exhaustive, it is meant to make you think of the aspects that surround going into production.
Regulatory considerations
As you can see, this list is the tip of the iceberg in regards to the steps for going into production. Â If you have expectations of large production runs, it may be a great time to find a consultant or specialist that understands how to bring a product to market with a focus on the final stages.
The beauty of the IntelÂŽ IoT platform is that it can scale to any project size simply and easily. Â Intel maintains a Foundry group that supports manufacturers and their need for processors. Fulfilling large orders and customization are their specialties. The support that Intel provides makes all of their IoT technologies readily accessible.
In the last couple of years, the market has seen an influx of products from small companies with even smaller budgets. Â These startups specialize in going quickly to market and maximizing resources. Look to this type of startup model to help your project along.
There are some considerations to consider in regards to how to accomplish a product release. Previously we mentioned regulatory impact. Â If your product works on a network, as most IoT devices do, you may need to look at meeting specific regulations and certify that aspect. Â Also, meeting regulations one time doesnât necessarily allow for a worldwide release. Â There are times where you will struggle to be legal in a few select areas.
Product releases come in many shapes and sizes. Some phone releases, for instance, may need over 1 million devices ready to ship. Likewise, if your product is very specific to monitor and modify specialty equipment, it may not make sense to make a million of them, when there is just 10,000 machines to modify.
Product releases involve an audience of sorts. You may have a public and a corporate audience for instance. You may choose to perform a limited release to a select few corporations and wait for their implementation. This allows you to use the release as a test bed. Â
A key in evaluating how production and product release will occur revolves around economies of scale. Â Effectively, what are the cost advantages based on scale of production, size, output, and other factors that influence price and quantity made.
Performing a study to best estimate economies of scale is quite important. This can help you make decisions and build a road map in how to complete your project. Again, a specialist could be contacted for this portion, that will provide to you an accurate analysis of how to be efficient, and what elements will be necessary to do so.
The dreaded word â outsourcing doesnât necessarily have to be negative in this regards. Your group or company may not have the expertise or the capital necessary to enter into production. Â Outsourcing production to a specialist is a valid solution. Â That specialist may be domestic or foreign. Most importantly, a well written contract will ensure that the use of a specialty production resource works to your liking and parameters.
Perhaps it goes without saying, but outsourcing offers distinct advantages. From facilities costs, to overhead, to assembly and fixtures having an outside company perform these functions for you offers many advantages. From freeing resources, to delivering specifics within your product plan, having an outside company perform these duties is invaluable.
While we worked out a number of ideas and best practices in this blog article, there is much more to consider. Never rule out the use of outside consultants and specialty fulfillment companies to help your group achieve their goals. The effective use of your resources is more important now than it ever has been.
High Density Modular Test allows for cost saving in production
The IntelÂŽ IoT developer kit adds increased support
Ignite the Market with IntelÂŽ Edison