Wireless and IoT Product Development
Device Solutions partners with companies at every stage of the wireless and IoT product design process. From initial concept to large-scale production, we tailor our approach to meet our clients' needs, delivering innovative and reliable solutions that integrate seamlessly into their operations.
The Phases of Product Development at Device Solutions
Phase 1: Define and Discover
Define & Discover includes short, focused conversations to resolve open questions about your project before Feasibility. Questions about scope, budget, and high-level requirements are answered and documented in this phase.
The result: Defined and documented scope and requirements.
Note: Not every project needs this phase. If the project scope is clear, we’ll start at Feasibility.
Phase 2: Feasibility
Feasibility includes requirements, risk identification, a proposed architecture (parts, libraries, approach), BOM cost, size, and power/battery-life targets. The product’s certification needs are built in here; regulatory requirements shape the design from day one (rather than potentially constrain it at the end).
The result: A detailed technical proposal and cost estimate.
Read more about Feasibility and Risk Reduction.
Phase 3: Risk Reduction
Risk Reduction includes targeted, hands-on work to resolve a specific technical risk before committing to full product development. Risk Reduction is a distinct stage; your cost stays lower when a risk turns out to be smaller than assumed for your project.
The result: A validated basis for the build plan.
Read more about Feasibility and Risk Reduction.
Phase 4: Prototype 1
Prototype 1 includes form-factor-accurate hardware. Note that certification, test, and manufacturability considerations run throughout.
The result:
Working hardware and a clear picture of what's resolved heading into Prototype 2.
Read more about Prototyping and NPI.
Phase 5: Firmware
Firmware development runs alongside hardware development rather than after. Firmware is roughly 80% complete by the start of Prototype 2, continuing through Certification and NPI.
The result:
Core application firmware developed along with the hardware, not after it.
Read more about Embedded Firmware Development.
Phase 6: Prototype 2
Prototype 2 includes fully functional hardware.
Pre-certification testing happens here, followed by the beginning stages of formal certification.
The result:
Hardware ready for certification.
Read more about Prototyping and NPI.
Phase 7: Certification
Certification includes formal compliance specific to your product with the appropriate regulatory body: FCC, cellular carriers, MSHA, ATEX, and similar. Because our certification partners have been engaged since the beginning and pre-certification testing has run throughout development, projects rarely encounter surprises here.
The result:
Certified hardware (or a clear, specific picture of what's required to get there).
Read more about Global and Regulatory Certifications.
Phase 8: New Product Introduction (NPI)
NPI includes running alpha and beta trials (with our team in a support role), followed by yield ramp and iteration. We call this phase NPI because, given the trial structure and yield realities, it is rarely the final hardware spin.
The result:
Production-ready design, validated through real trials.
Read more about Prototyping and NPI.
Phase 9: Ongoing Support
Ongoing Support is a tiered arrangement suited to your needs, from troubleshooting and technical Q&A to ongoing engineering support.
The result:
A defined, predictable support relationship and peace of mind, knowing that you can contact Device Solutions for any future product needs.