Introduction
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, smart connected products are becoming increasingly prevalent. This guide serves as a comprehensive manual for developing such products, focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT) and its transformative impact on product design, engineering, and customer engagement.
Developing Smart Connected Products
Understanding Smart Products
Smart products possess capabilities that allow them to interact intelligently with users or autonomously respond to environmental changes. These products leverage sensors, processors, and embedded software to gather and process data, enabling innovative features and market advantages.
Key Components of Smart Products:
- Sensors: Detect environmental conditions or user interactions.
- Communication Networks: Transmit data between sensors and processors.
- Processors and Software: Interpret data and execute commands.
- Actuated Components: Perform physical actions based on processed data.
Making Products More Connected
Connected products utilize streaming data to offer advanced functionalities and new business models. They often transmit sensor data to cloud-based platforms, enabling remote monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Essential Capabilities for Connected Products:
- Sensors: Collect data from the product or its environment.
- Communication Networks: Transmit data to processing units or directly to the cloud.
- Antennas: Enable wireless data transmission.
New Demands on Engineering Teams
The shift to smart and connected products necessitates significant changes in engineering practices, including new skills, processes, and tools.
Engineering Requirements:
- Electrical and Electronic Design Skills: Developing and integrating sensors, circuit boards, and electrical systems.
- Embedded Software Development: Creating software to control smart functionalities and ensure seamless operation.
- System Integration: Combining mechanical, electrical, and software components into a cohesive system.
Leveraging Streaming Data
Improving Service and Maintenance
Streaming data allows for proactive product maintenance, reducing downtime and enhancing customer satisfaction. By identifying trends in the data, companies can address issues before they lead to failures.
Key Strategies:
- Proactive Maintenance: Use machine learning to predict and prevent product failures.
- Product-as-a-Service: Offer products on a subscription basis, ensuring continuous service and maintenance.
Enhancing Customer Experiences
Combining sensor data with external internet data can create unique and highly differentiated product features. For instance, a smart sprinkler system could adjust watering schedules based on weather forecasts.
Optimizing Product Planning
Data from connected products can replace assumptions in the product development process, leading to more accurate and user-centric designs. This data-driven approach ensures that new products meet actual customer needs and usage patterns.
Developing Electrical Systems and Electronics
Internal Development vs. Outsourcing
Organizations can either build internal competencies for developing electrical systems and electronics or outsource these tasks to specialized suppliers. Each approach has its advantages and challenges.
Internal Development:
- Hiring and Training: Acquire or develop skills in electrical and electronic design.
- Design Tools: Invest in Electrical Computer-Aided Design (ECAD) and related tools.
Outsourcing:
- Supplier Management: Clearly define and manage requirements to ensure quality and compatibility.
- Integration: Ensure seamless integration of outsourced components into the overall system.
Developing Embedded Software
People, Process, and Technology Changes
Developing embedded software requires a combination of skilled personnel, robust processes, and advanced tools.
Key Changes:
- Hiring Software Developers: Employ or train developers with expertise in embedded systems.
- Model-Based Development: Use digital simulations to verify software compatibility with hardware.
- Development Tools: Implement Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) and Software Configuration Management systems.
Outsourcing Embedded Software
Outsourcing embedded software development is an option, but it requires stringent requirements management and integration practices to ensure success.
Developing IoT Platforms and Product Connectivity
Managing IoT Platforms
IoT platforms collect and analyze data from connected products. Developing and managing these platforms requires a blend of IT and engineering expertise.
Key Considerations:
- Intersection of IT and Engineering: Develop roles that combine knowledge from both fields.
- Digital Prototyping: Validate IoT platforms through simulations before physical deployment.
- Flexibility and Agility: Choose platforms that support rapid experimentation and iteration.
Outsourcing IoT Platforms
While developing IoT platforms can be outsourced, it is crucial to retain control over data management and security to protect sensitive information.
Developing Integrated Systems
Systems Engineering
Effective systems engineering is essential for integrating all components of smart connected products into a functioning whole. This involves a disciplined approach supported by specific processes and tools.
Core Competencies:
- Requirements-Functions-Logical-Physical (RFLP): A structured process to define and trace development from requirements to physical implementation.
- System Design Tools: Utilize tools that support RFLP and system modeling to analyze and validate designs.
Internal Development vs. Outsourcing Systems Engineering
While outsourcing system design is possible, it is generally advisable to develop this competency internally to ensure seamless integration and minimize risks.
Conclusion
The transition to smart connected products is a transformative journey that requires new skills, processes, and tools. By embracing these changes, organizations can create innovative products that offer significant market advantages and enhanced customer experiences.
For further exploration, consider developing specific training programs for your engineering team, investing in advanced design tools, and partnering with trusted suppliers to supplement your internal capabilities.