Hard Code

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Trocellen GmbH is a traditional manufacturing company, we are a new branch within the organization aiming for innovative technologies. I am responsible for creating new digital products, building product concepts, validating, and prototyping.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Hard Code?

We can create product concepts and validate them in the market but we need high-level engineer knowledge to build working prototypes.

What were your goals for this project?

We had to build reliable professional prototypes (with inbuilt and connected software) and create related documentation. We had to test and choose the proper tools and parts.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I've looked for companies with IoT experiences and references. Unfortunately, Hungary is a lack of similar teams and I'm really happy and lucky because I finally found them. What helped to find them is that they organized IoT meetups and I attended one of them.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They created the specification of the planned product, hardware, and software as well, built new generations of prototypes, developed the connected mobile application, and programmed the embedded software that ensures the working product.

What was the team composition?

We've got a stable project manager who was our direct point of contact. The project team included less than 10 people but individuals came and went depending on their skill needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

This is a high priority project for us because our company is searching for new business opportunities. With our solutions, the company will be able to launch new departments and entry in newmarket.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The agile development approach has let us check and test solutions during the project. They usually complied with the deadlines, if not they informed us in time about the delay and the details. We communicated personally, in e-mail and by phone as well. The communication was clear and fast.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I really liked that they could understand our situation, fears, and challenges and we soon found the common voice.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I was satisfied with them, they improved simultaneously with us, they could conform to our new challenges.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder and CEO of an intercom company. We are working to create a smart intercom system for apartment buildings and small businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Hard Code?

I was looking for a partner with notable experience in embedded programming and hardware design.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Hard Code determined that the best technology to support our product was the ESP32 chipset. The development process included reverse engineering of complex digital electrical systems with various oscilloscopes and using computer-assisted drawing (CAD) systems to create our electrical circuit boards. The team physically wired the boards, then connected each to a chipset and programmed them using Embedded C.

What is the team composition?

I worked with a team of 30 engineers.

How did you come to work with Hard Code?

We initially connected through a mutual colleague. They were prepared to guide us through the flexible prototype stage of our project.

How much have you invested with them?

Our investment was within the five-figure range.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from October 2017—July 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Their reverse engineering work allowed our product to successfully connect to three different intercoms and answer doors, connect to the internet, and allow for control via a mobile phone. The team was extremely accommodating of our changing requirements as we maneuvered the prototype stage, and we were happy with the final delivery.

How did Hard Code perform from a project management standpoint?

They followed my communication and project management methods.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their engineers have a thorough understanding of electrical engineering tasks. They effectively built and printed a board that matched my exact requirements. Additionally, they were very willing to travel for product testing. We met with their whole team at an apartment complex a few times to collaboratively run comprehensive tests and determine our next steps.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Hard Code is very strong technically, but could improve their level of project management and customer service. They should shift some of their focus to more accurately following the workflow and consistently communicating status updates.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and CEO of Ultimate Gadget Laboratories. We design and manufacture a high-end USB keyboard that provides increased ergonomics and customizability.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Hard Code?

Hard Code helped us complete electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing of our keyboard, which is critical in order to bring it to market.

What were your goals for this project?

To bring our keyboard to market.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

The founder of Hard Code personally offered their help, and we've gladly taken it.

Describe the project in detail.

Our goal is for our keyboard, the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard, to be sold word wide, so we had to certify its compliance with the health, safety, and environmental protection standards of the CE certification mark in Europe, and the FCC in the United States.

What was the team composition?

We interfaced with a project manager, an EMC expert, and an electronics engineer who assembled prototypes.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What outcomes or results can you share that demonstrate progress and/or success?

We successfully passed the EMC tests.

How effective was the project management?

There wasn't really a lot of management involved as it wouldn't have made sense for the purposes of this work.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Apart from being very nice people, their electronics prototyping service was very fast, and they were always available when we needed advice.

What tips or recommendations do you have?

All things considered, we're very satisfied and would like to work with Hard Code in the future, however we could have received some further advice regarding the EMC tests to make better progress. I don't really consider this anyone's fault; there are always some unique project-specific challenges, and it's often not a smooth ride despite everyone's best effort.