Custom Software Dev for Espresso Machine Manufacturer
- Application Management & Support Cloud Consulting & SI Custom Software Development
- Confidential
- Oct. 2021 - Ongoing
- Quality
- 5.0
- Schedule
- 4.5
- Cost
- 5.0
- Willing to Refer
- 5.0
"Their ability to address challenges head-on is a strength that should not be overlooked."
- Manufacturing
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- 1-10 Employees
- Online Review
- Verified
Octoco Consulting provided PCB design and firmware development for an espresso machine manufacturer. The team redesigned the PCB, developed firmware, integrated systems, and tested prototypes.
Octoco Consulting delivered a reliable and market-ready product with high technical proficiency, creativity, and attention to detail. The team transformed a previously flawed system and was adaptable, professional, and technically proficient throughout the project.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and position.
I am the Managing Director of Henlo and Co
Describe what your company does in a single sentence.
Henlo is currently manufacturing premium commercial espresso machines within South Africa. The machines have industry leading technology that enables smart functionality, bringing commercial espresso machines into the 21st century. Henlo machines' deliver consistently exceptional coffee and provides valuable automated maintenance and business insight - empowering clients to better serve their customers.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What specific goals or objectives did you hire Octoco Consulting to accomplish?
- Embedded System PCB Design and Firmware
- Cloud Solution Design
- CTOaaS
SOLUTION
How did you find Octoco Consulting?
Referral
Why did you select Octoco Consulting over others?
- High ratings
- Great culture fit
- Good value for cost
- Referred to me
- Company values aligned
How many teammates from Octoco Consulting were assigned to this project?
2-5 Employees
Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.
Scope of Work
Octoco Consulting is tasked with redesigning and optimizing the PCB, firmware, and control systems for a commercial espresso machine. The previous design was non-functional and fundamentally flawed, requiring a complete overhaul to achieve operational reliability and market readiness. The system is designed to integrate seamlessly with a Raspberry Pi, which acts as the primary control hub, while the PCB handles command execution and state feedback.
The machine's functionality extends beyond local control, with cloud-based connectivity enabling remote monitoring and data management through AWS, MongoDB, Retool, and RemoteIT. This integration allows real-time access to critical machine performance data, enhancing serviceability and user experience.
Key Deliverables
PCB Redesign:
- Address and resolve fundamental flaws in the existing PCB design.
- Ensure reliable communication with the Raspberry Pi for command execution and system state feedback.
- Optimize power management and system integration.
Firmware Development:
- Develop robust firmware for seamless communication between the PCB and Raspberry Pi.
- Implement fault-tolerant protocols for command handling and system monitoring.
System Integration:
- Enable Wi-Fi connectivity for cloud integration with AWS, MongoDB, Retool, and RemoteIT.
- Implement protocols for secure data transfer and remote monitoring capabilities.
Prototyping and Testing:
- Develop prototypes to validate the redesigned PCB and firmware.
- Conduct comprehensive testing to ensure reliability, performance, and safety.
Production Readiness:
- Prepare the system for mass production with scalable and cost-effective solutions.
- Provide technical documentation for manufacturing and support teams.
Support and Handover:
- Train internal teams on system functionality and maintenance.
- Offer post-delivery support to ensure smooth market rollout.
This collaboration aims to deliver a market-ready, cloud-enabled espresso machine with cutting-edge functionality and reliability.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Measurable Outcomes of Success
System Reliability and Robustness
- Target Uptime: Achieve >99% operational uptime across all machines.
- Error Rates: Reduce critical system errors or malfunctions to less than 1% of deployed machines.
- Durability: Ensure the PCB and firmware function consistently under high-usage conditions typical of a commercial café environment.
Enhanced Operational Control in Cafés
- Performance Monitoring: Real-time data on machine usage, temperature, pressure, and maintenance needs available via the cloud.
- Operational Insights: Track and analyze trends to improve machine usage efficiency and reduce downtime.
- Customization: Support tailored settings for café-specific recipes and workflows.
Barista Training and Interaction
- Real-Time Training: Utilize touchscreens to deliver interactive guides, step-by-step brewing instructions, and diagnostics.
- User Adoption: Achieve high ease-of-use ratings from baristas.
- Onboarding Time: Reduce the time required to train new baristas to full proficiency by 90%.
Connectivity and Cloud Performance
- Latency: Ensure cloud command execution and feedback in less than 1 second on average.
- Data Accessibility: Provide owners/managers with actionable insights into machine performance and operational metrics in real-time.
- Remote Management: Enable >95% of common maintenance tasks and updates to be performed remotely.
Coffee Quality
- Consistency: Maintain brew consistency across batches, targeting <1% deviation in taste and quality parameters.
- Brewing Excellence: Meet or exceed quality benchmarks established by industry standards and barista associations.
These outcomes focus on delivering a product that enhances café operations, empowers baristas, leverages connectivity for proactive management, and consistently produces exceptional coffee.
Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?
We are incredibly satisfied with the outcomes delivered by Octoco Consulting on this project. From the outset, they demonstrated a clear commitment to ensuring that deliverables and scope were well-defined and mutually understood at every step. This collaborative effort resulted in a smooth workflow and ensured that their time and resources were directed toward creating tangible value.
Despite occasional delays on our side with hardware availability, Octoco Consulting managed to stay on schedule to the extent possible and maintained momentum throughout the project. Their ability to work within a lean environment was exemplary, optimizing resources without compromising on quality or results.
The final deliverables reflect a high degree of technical proficiency, creativity, and attention to detail. They have transformed a previously flawed system into a reliable, robust, and market-ready product, all while staying aligned with the project’s goals and expectations.
Overall, we have extracted significant value from this partnership, and their professionalism, adaptability, and technical expertise have set a high bar. We are highly satisfied and would gladly collaborate with them on future projects.
What was your primary form of communication with Octoco Consulting?
- In-Person Meeting
- Virtual Meeting
- Email or Messaging App
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
What truly stands out about Octoco Consulting is their driven, high-energy team of young professionals who bring an incredible breadth of expertise to the table. Their multidisciplinary skill set, spanning engineering, cloud architecture, and even financial and sales acumen, is nothing short of impressive.
Their ability to seamlessly combine technical excellence with a deep understanding of the startup mentality sets them apart. They approach challenges with adaptability, creativity, and a clear focus on delivering value, all while maintaining the lean efficiency startups need to thrive. This combination of talent, drive, and wide-ranging expertise makes them a uniquely impressive partner for any ambitious project.
Are there any areas for improvement or something Octoco Consulting could have done differently?
One area for potential improvement was the balance of communication during the project. At one point, we became slightly overly friendly, which inadvertently led to inefficiencies and escalating costs due to excessive back-and-forth discussions. However, it is important to highlight that both parties addressed this directly and professionally.
From then on, communication and expectation management improved significantly, allowing us to move forward more efficiently. Misalignments are natural in complex projects, and what truly sets Octoco apart is their willingness to have open and constructive conversations to resolve issues. Their ability to address challenges head-on is a strength that should not be overlooked.
RATINGS
-
Quality
5.0Service & Deliverables
-
Schedule
4.5On time / deadlines
-
Cost
5.0Value / within estimates
-
Willing to Refer
5.0NPS