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    Getting-Started

Getting Started

Getting Started at WTSi

As a client of WTSi, you can expect us to respect your privacy.  Simply contact us via email to set up a ten minute phone conversation - we have found that a quick conversation is the best way determine if WTSi is a good match for your project requirements.  At some future point, we can determine if any sensitive information needs to be protected with an industry-standard Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before discussing your project in full detail.

 

Getting Started at WTSi - Additional Information


Below are lists of the various efforts from which your project may benefit.  After a ten minute conversation, we will have a good idea how many of these efforts are necessary. These are not mandatory items listed below - the items are listed here simply to illustrate sound guidelines for moving forward with any development project.

Additionally, WTSi understands that cost and schedule are premium concerns for our clients.  After discussing your project and reviewing your requirements, WTSi will provide a clear indication on how we think you should proceed - which often includes further clarification of your technical requirements, project schedule, and budget. Ultimately, a schedule with well-defined milestones will be produced for your consideration.  At WTSi, we know that customer satisfaction depends on providing significant milestones in the project schedule to gauge success as the project progresses.   

  

preliminary efforts

Electronic development projects typically begin with the idea of a physical deliverable, however, building a prototype is not always the requisite starting point.  WTSi can assist with some of the more common preliminary efforts including:

  • possibly signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (similar to this: WTSi Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement)
  • producing product requirements
  • discussions as regards required/desired/optional features (including their benefits and costs)
  • developing a proof-of-concept effort to determine product viability
  • clarifying the user experience (UX) of the product
  • researching 'prior art' as it pertains to patent viability of the customer's product
  • producing content for a provisional patent
  • market research as regards product-differentiation and other topics

 

prototyping efforts

Typical prototype design flow: 

  • The customer's written requirements are reviewed and a WTSi provides a draft Statement of Work (SOW) for the customer's review.
  • The SOW is updated (as required).  Costs, terms, deliverables, and a schedule are agreed upon.  
  • Preliminary research and/or proof-of-concept efforts to determine viability of the project (as required)
  • Discussion as regards any research and/or proof-of-concept efforts (as required)
  • Circuits are designed (and the schematic is captured) with readily available components.
  • A BOM (Bill Of Material) is generated and components are ordered. Long-term per-unit manufacturing costs (MC) can be estimated at this point in time.
  • Enclosure design and any mechancial assembly designs are initiated (as required)
  • Electronic and mechanical efforts are reviewed for "Design For Manufacture" (DFM) and "Design For Test" (DFT) compliance 
  • Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layout is completed and bare boards are ordered in prototype quantities.
  • Enclosure design is finalized (with finalized PCB outline, mounting holes, etc.)
  • 3D-prints of the plastic enclosures are ordered in prototype quantities.
  • Embedded code (if required) is initiated while boards are being fabricated.
  • Circuit Card Assemblies (CCA) are built in prototype quantities.
  • Full product is assembled (3D-printed plastic enclosure, CCA, and any other physical components).
  • Board "bring up": assembled boards are debugged as regards electrical design, PCB fabrication, and assembly issues
  • Code is debugged and tested against the written requirements
  • All design files are updated to reflect any modifications to the prototype circuit board.
  • On final payment, the customer owns all source design files: schematic, BOM, PCB layout files, gerbers, embedded source code, FPGA design.
  • At this point, the customer has everything they need to independently move forward with any one of many contract manufacturers as regards building production boards. Alternatively, the customer may consider hiring WTSi to manage this effort (see next section below).

 

manufacturing and turnkey solution efforts

At WTSi, we are dedicated to helping you with all aspects of your electronic product development solution from concept to full-functioning prototypes.  Additionally, we will help you identify your vendors (and manage their efforts) in your transition from electronic product prototypes into high-volume production.  WTSi can also help you migrate from any existing vendors to new vendors.  WTSi is also prepared to deliver turnkey solutions on a customer-by-customer basis.  Rather than helping you identify and manage your manufacturing vendors,  WTSi can  also provide a quote to independently manage all your third-party manufacturing vendors for a turnkey solution - from PCB fabrication to testing, packaging, and shipping your product. These vendor efforts include:

  • fabrication of injection molds
  • injection molding
  • PCB fabrication
  • circuit card assembly and test
  • product assembly (aka 'box builds')
  • pre-packaging product test
  • packaging
  • shipping