Cadlete Designs

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of 8DOTS, an IT company that provides custom software, web, and mobile development, cloud consulting, application migration, and IT support services to businesses of all sizes across multiple industries.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Cadlete Designs to accomplish for your IT projects at 8DOTS?

We hired Cadlete Designs for product design, development, and prototyping services.

SOLUTION

Can you describe the scope of work Cadlete Designs handled for your project?

Cadlete Designs developed a next-generation pickleball scoring system from the ground up, covering industrial design, electronics, embedded systems, and full product integration. The team created multiple industrial design concepts and finalized a modern, ergonomic, and production-ready design. Cadlete Designs also engineered the complete electronic architecture, custom PCB design, and system logic.Cadlete Designs built and validated functional prototypes, developed fully documented firmware for game logic and user interaction, and designed a smart wearable accessory that enables wireless score updates during gameplay. The project resulted in a fully integrated, end-to-end product ecosystem, delivering a functional MVP that is ready for further refinement and mass production.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 10 teammates from Cadlete Designs.

How did you come to work with Cadlete Designs?

We found Cadlete Designs through an online search. We chose them because they offered good value for the cost.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $100,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from October 2025–February 2026.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We successfully transitioned from an initial concept to a fully functional, market-ready MVP, which significantly strengthened our product offering. The new design received strong positive feedback during early testing, validating both the improved UX and the upgraded aesthetics.With the addition of wireless score tracking through a wearable module, we differentiated our product in the market and positioned it as a more advanced and user-friendly solution. The validated prototype and system gave us the confidence to move forward toward mass production, reducing risk and accelerating our go-to-market timeline.We saw a 35% reduction in match downtime because players spent less time debating scores and more time playing, thanks to the wearable's instant wireless updates. We also saw a 92% user satisfaction rate because beta testers rated the wearable's ergonomic "one-click" scoring as "highly intuitive" during high-intensity play.We saw zero scoring errors because the automated game logic eliminated manual tracking mistakes across 150+ test matches. The custom PCB and optimized firmware allowed the wearable to last through an entire week of play on a single charge. We also achieved near-instant communication between the wearable and the main display unit.The finalized industrial design reduced the electronics' volume by 20% compared to the initial breadboard prototype, ensuring a sleek, lightweight profile. We moved from initial industrial design concepts to a fully functional, production-ready integrated system in record time. We validated the hardware through three rapid prototyping cycles to ensure maximum durability for outdoor court environments.Custom PCB engineering and strategic component selection reduced per-unit manufacturing costs by 18% versus off-the-shelf solutions. Design for manufacturing (DFM) optimizations streamlined the housing and component integration for mass production, making the process 30% faster. The robust embedded system logic and documented firmware minimized technical failures and maintenance requirements, reducing support costs by 25%.Automated scoring increased match efficiency, allowing facilities to schedule 15% more sessions per day. We saw an 85% purchase intent because of the high demand from facility managers during testing, citing the integrated ecosystem as a "must-have" upgrade over manual scoreboards. The dedicated hardware outperformed smartphone-based apps in outdoor, high-glare environments, with a 95% reliability rating.

How did Cadlete Designs perform from a project management standpoint?

Cadlete Designs demonstrated strong project management throughout the engagement, with clear communication, structured progress updates, and timely delivery of key milestones. Each phase, from design to prototyping and validation, was handled efficiently and within expected timelines. We primarily communicated via email and messaging apps.Cadlete Designs was highly responsive to our needs, quickly addressing feedback and incorporating changes without delays. Their ability to understand requirements, adapt to evolving inputs, and proactively suggest improvements made the overall collaboration smooth and effective.

What did you find most impressive or unique about them?

What stood out the most was Cadlete Designs' ability to handle the entire product development process under one roof, from design and electronics to prototyping and system integration. This made the process much more streamlined and efficient.Their practical approach to engineering was also impressive. They focused not just on design but also on ensuring everything worked reliably in real-world conditions and was ready for manufacturing. The way they translated ideas into a fully functional product with attention to detail and usability was particularly unique. The communication was also strong and consistent throughout, which made the collaboration smooth and transparent.

Is there anything they could have improved?

I didn't think there was anything they could improve on.