IoT Product Development: Accelerating Success

Big numbers and huge opportunity

The Internet of Things (IoT) has really taken off over the past decade, changing the way we live and work. Just think about it: there were over 35 billion IoT devices connected worldwide in 2021, and experts predict that number will soar to 75 billion by 2025.

Whether it’s a consumer product or an industrial one, always-on connectivity, remote diagnostics and firmware updates after deployment are seen as baseline functionality rather than a nice-to-have.

This presents a challenge for product designers and manufacturers: They know how to build products that perform, at a price point that customers will accept and they have extensive knowledge of managing complex supply chains and manufacturing processes. What they don’t know is how to build a software ecosystem around these products that’s robust and delivers the functionality that their customers expect.

Technology is a leveller of expectations (but not necessarily capability) and this can be at the detriment of smaller suppliers as end-customers won’t differentiate between a company with an R&D budget in the hundreds of thousands vs a company that has hundreds of people working in R&D.

Want to sell a video doorbell? If it’s not as good as Ring you’re not going to sell many. Want to sell a connected heating system? Your customers are going to compare you to Nest.

In cases like this, the technology acts as a drawbridge to keep the competition out by influencing customer buying patterns towards what they perceive to be the superior solution.

Perception in this space can also mean a lot in terms of market positioning. If you speak to an audiophile they will scoff at the idea of a Sonos speaker because it doesn’t meet their audio quality needs but they are a tiny proportion of the audio market. The vast majority of the market will buy a speaker (remember the main purpose of a speaker is to play music!) not because it sounds incredible but because it has a Bluetooth or an Airplay logo on the box.

They’re not judging you on whether you worked really hard on your product, they’re judging you on whether it’s got the features they expect it to have. Hard work doesn’t lead to sales.

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Bridging the gap: Partner with Parallax

We understand the challenges that product development and manufacturing teams face and we’re all too aware of the demands that customers have when it comes to technology. Fortunately we’re also experienced in working with customers on solving these.

Parallax operates a partnership model rather than an outsourced one. You can’t give us a problem and come back 6 months later and expect us to have magically built a product that ticks every box for your customer but what you can do is expect us to work with you as part of your team and leverage the decades of experience that we’ve built in this space to elevate what you and your team is capable of doing.

In short, our approach to IoT product development means you get the best out of the team you already have, significantly increases your chances of success and means you’ll come away with a product that meets the high standards that the customers of today expect.

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Tailored Solutions for Unique Challenges

Every IoT project is unique, with its own set of challenges and opportunities. At Parallax, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we take the time to understand your specific needs and tailor our approach accordingly. Whether you’re developing a smart home device, an industrial automation solution or anything in between, we bring a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to help you navigate the complexities of IoT development.

We bring knowledge, experience and the building blocks to the table that let you focus on adding value rather than reinventing the wheel. This lets you focus on product, not infrastructure.

A "Do Together" Partner, Not a "Do for Me" Supplier

At Parallax, we believe that the best results come from a collaborative approach where both parties bring their strengths to the table. While we are experts in the technical aspects of product development, we recognise that you hold invaluable knowledge about your specific application, product, or industry. By working closely together, we engage in a process of shared learning, where we not only apply our expertise but also immerse ourselves in understanding the nuances of your business.

We pride ourselves on being a "do together" partner rather than a "do for me" supplier. This means that we work alongside you every step of the way, integrating seamlessly with your team to achieve common goals. We don't just take your requirements and disappear until the project is finished. Instead, we foster a collaborative environment where your insights and our expertise combine to drive the project forward.

By being deeply involved in every phase of development, from initial brainstorming to final deployment, we ensure that the end product truly reflects your vision and meets your high standards. Our partnership model encourages open communication, frequent feedback loops, and joint problem-solving sessions. This way, we can quickly adapt to changes, overcome challenges together, and create a product that both teams are proud of.

Our "do together" philosophy not only leverages the collective strengths of both teams but also builds a strong, trusting relationship that leads to long-term success. With Parallax, you're not just hiring a service provider; you're gaining a dedicated partner committed to your project's success as much as you are.

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Key Competencies

Our key competencies lie in the areas where we can accelerate your product development, either through our in-house capabilities or by leveraging our network of proven partners. Here's how we can help:

Electronics Development

‍Custom Electronics Design: Our team excels in designing bespoke electronic systems tailored to your specific needs. From initial schematics to final prototypes, we ensure every component is optimised for performance and reliability.

Prototyping and Testing: We rapidly develop prototypes and conduct iterative testing to refine your product, ensuring it meets all functional and performance criteria before moving to production.

Product Design

‍User-Centric Design: We focus on creating designs that are not only functional but also user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Our designers work closely with you to understand your vision and bring it to life.

Integration of Electronics and Design: Our seamless integration of electronic components with physical design ensures that your product is both innovative and practical.

Cloud-Based Web Services

‍Scalable Cloud Solutions: We develop robust cloud infrastructures that support seamless device connectivity and data management. Our solutions are scalable, ensuring they grow with your product’s success.

Data Security and Integrity: We prioritise security, implementing strong measures to protect data and ensure its integrity, giving you and your customers peace of mind.

Mobile Application Development

‍Intuitive User Interfaces: Our mobile apps are designed with the user in mind, offering intuitive interfaces that make it easy for users to control and interact with your devices.

Cross-Platform Compatibility: We ensure that your apps work seamlessly across different platforms, providing a consistent user experience on both iOS and Android devices.

System Integration and Testing

‍Comprehensive Testing: We conduct thorough testing at every level, from unit tests to user acceptance tests, to ensure that all components of your product work together flawlessly.

Continuous Improvement: Our iterative testing and feedback loops mean that we can quickly address any issues and continuously improve the product throughout the development cycle.

Deployment and Maintenance

‍Smooth Deployment: We support you through the deployment phase, ensuring a smooth launch and providing training and resources to your team.

Ongoing Support: Post-launch, we can help with ongoing maintenance and firmware updates, helping you keep your product competitive and up-to-date with the latest technology.

Leveraging Proven Partners

‍Extensive Network: We have a network of trusted partners who specialise in various aspects of IoT development, from advanced manufacturing techniques to cutting-edge software solutions. We won’t try and do things ourselves on your product that sit outside our comfort zone.

Integrated Solutions: By bringing in these proven partners when needed, we can provide a comprehensive solution that covers all aspects of your product development, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality outcome.

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Next steps

If you’re excited about the possibilities and ready to take your IoT project to the next level, we’d love to hear from you. We’re an enthusiastic group of people and we’d love to chat through some of the challenges you’re facing. We’ve probably seen some of them before and we’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction from solving the ones we haven’t.

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