In the past, only a handful of established device makers were able to create blockbuster gadgets for world markets. But that’s changing. With the advent on IoT, hundreds of small start-ups are trying to cash-in and mimic the big manufacturers and bring new devices to global markets at a fraction of the price. Crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter are flooded by these projects.

But, competition is tough and making a connected consumer product for global distribution is not easy. So, how can devise makers speed up the time to market without jeopardising the quality and user experience of their products?

Designing a connected product requires specialist expertise in an antenna, EMC, mechanics and thermal design, and calls for time-consuming prototyping and testing. Let’s delve deeper.

Antenna requirements

Nowadays, many devices feature metal casings, which is a very challenging operating environment for an antenna. Antennas are found in increasingly smaller devices and in devices held near or inside a human body. Hearing aids, smart watches sensors, smart rings are typical examples.

The small size of the device and the proximity of the human body put special high demands on the concept of an antenna. Antennas require high efficiency and design for high-frequency 5G devices is really challenging. Propagation, range and carrying capabilities at high frequency are lower and that poses a profound demand on manufacturers. In antenna design, requirements vary by country and region and compliance with official requirements requires special expertise in design.

EMC solutions

The operating environment for smart devices is becoming more demanding as the volume (quantities) is growing. Devices should not interfere with signals from other devices or interfere with others. Such reliability is particularly important in health and military environments, but also in standard mobile devices for the consumer. A touchscreen often causes interference with the receiver.

Designing effective EMC solutions has traditionally been hit and miss and rely on hope that it will somehow work. Through simulations, the design process can be undertaken in a precise and controlled way. Typically, a device maker understands its EMC design needs only after the build phase when the problem is detected. With simulations and lab measurements, the problem can be analyzed early and accurately.

Thermal simulations

More and more power is required from devices, leading to more powerful batteries and processors. LED displays tend to heat up especially in handheld devices, and this often causes problems with user safety and comfort. There is also a set of specifications for the warming of the equipment that manufacturers have to conform to in order to get a product on the market. Of course, it is far more effective to design a device according to a specification from the beginning than to hope that an already made design conforms to a specification.

Simulations can be used to find at an early stage what solution will work and what will not. In most cases, simulations are applied for corrections to the existing design to match the specification. Also, the power consumption of 5G base stations is really high, which also requires accurate thermal design to prevent cooling problems.

Mechanics

Equipment transported can carry more than before, meaning they have to endure a wide variety of applications in environments. For example, the wearable sector’s growth is reflected in this trend. Various devices must withstand body moisture, underwater use and other challenging conditions. For example, simulation of drop, vibration and seal tests can be used to avoid large and costly prototype cycles that are often needed to make durable products. Assembly simulations such be used to avoid assembly problems.

Abstracts

Start-up equipment manufacturers often take a reverse approach to device design. It’s not unusual for them to take a cheap Chinese bulk antenna only to discover after extensive and costly prototype rounds and testing that it does not work at all.

This “instant” engineering approach often proves more expensive than if the antenna was custom designed to fit the device right from the start. The same can be said for every other design area. Early phase engineering should be taken into account first in the product development process. It will save both time and money. Simulations and virtual prototypes can also be used to effectively compare different concepts such as component changes.

Written by Tatu Karvinen, Managing Director, Convergentia

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SolutionsIQ has companies throughout the US and provides scrum and agile to create greater business value and to improve customer experience to other organisations.

“Agile is about fostering a culture of empowerment and collaboration that enables rapid delivery of innovation at the speed of business today. As part of Accenture, we will help clients navigate the complexities of agile and unlock their creative power to develop new capabilities,” commented John Rudd, Chief Executive Officer at SolutionsIQ on the transition.

Growing digitisation trends

To put Accenture in a better position to support clients wanting to change IT systems, SolutionsIQ are helping the firm grow digitisation trends by adding over 230 agile experts.

“Today agile is more than just a software development methodology. SolutionsIQ coaches, who are among the most sought after experts in the industry, will expand our ability to help clients reduce investment risk, accelerate time to market for new products and services, and support design that delivers better customer experiences,” said Bhaskar Ghosh, Group Chief Executive at Accenture Technology services.

Written from source by Leah Alger
Source: Consultancy

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Technological changes are challenging all industries, including banks, according to Bundesbank Board Member, Andreas Dombret.

Banks will need to deal with the challenges of digitisation, because of FinTech companies providing strong competition. It is important to be aware of technological changes, because business models that are successful today, such as transactions, may not be in the future.

Companies in the finance sector must begin to realise that it is not about acquiring technological and technical expertise, but more importantly, about establishing a corporate culture, which takes on these challenges, and is consistently exemplified by the actions of management. Professionals must be able to present their ideas and concepts, and do this in a way that other departments can discuss and understand.

Strategic digitisation plans for success

General Motors’ European carmaker Opel pushes into online retail banking in Germany and works mainly digitally, without branches, whereas financial businesses are managed through dealer networks. Digitisation has significantly changed both areas by modifying customers’ demands, with the internet playing a key role in the sales and service processes.

Strong customer focus, communication skills, technical understanding and software experience are key competences, with agile methods supporting banking expertise through continuous support and efficient cooperation.

Although digitisation is not just about the internet, as for successful digital deployment, you need the right staff on board, as well as a good strategy.

“Digitisation makes new and further reaching demands not only on the Opel Bank as a whole, but also on each and every employee. In particular, a high willingness to explore and evaluate the opportunities and implementing initiatives were required,” says Jörg Ziesche, Senior Director Representative of Opel Bank.

Edited from web by Leah Alger

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