After an exceptionally hot, dry spring that saw even more bloom than usual at the Chelsea Flower show, the English summer is here and the weather is back to its usual inconsistent patterns just in time for a rainy Wimbledon.

Here at Corintech we’re designing a new low power WiFi sensor that measures both temperature and humidity that will not only be a useful gadget for commercial agricultural purposes but also warehouses, offices, showrooms, distribution networks, food businesses, museums and domestic home and garden applications. Anywhere that needs real-time monitoring and data storage. It won’t be able to predict the weather, but with its accompanying software package you’ll be able to see trends, set alarms and produce graphs to monitor and manage temperature and humidity to improve productivity, comply with industry regulations, reduce your carbon footprint or simply to cut costs.

The first of our WiFi sensors is currently being manufactured in our Far East operations HQ in Hong Kong and we hope to have samples soon. We’ve invested a considerable amount of resources on the development and design of this product which highlight our Total Product Design capabilities so I don’t want to spoil the surprise with any more details and images just yet. You’ll be the first to know more when we launch the product later this year.

Corintech has become an industry leader in electronic Total Product Design so we thought we’d share a few ‘top tips’ with you that could help to make your new product an even bigger success.

1. Form Versus Function

This is all about getting the balance between a product that looks good and performs well.  Never assume that your efficient, industrial product doesn’t need to look stylish or that your fashionable, ergonomic product with limited functionality will be able to compete with competitor products.  A new product needs to excel in both areas.  The technological advancements in FSCGs, Fast Selling Consumer Goods, are now influencing every industrial market so design a product that not only meets the demands of your industry but also consumer aesthetics and userability.

2. Easy To Use

Even if your product is highly sophisticated and new users require training, there are still ways to make it easy to use.  i) Where possible it may help to graphically represent instructions using pictorial images and symbols. ii) Test the product on new users that have never used the product before.  iii) Test the product on new users that don’t work in your industry.  With basic industry information they should be able to test the product.  If they can’t, the product is probably over complicated and users from a different industry are often more open minded and can make valuable contributions to the design process. iv) Supply a ‘Quick Start Guide’ with new products.  Users often don’t have the patience to read full instructions and want to get the product working as soon as possible.

3. Software

Again, with a progressive gaming industry, ipads and iphone apps, software is now being influenced by consumer developments.  This influence may be fundamental in terms of operation; many products are easier to manage and operate via a PC and users now accept this as standard. Or it may be related to appearance and style.  Gone are the days of 2D basic instructions.  Information can now be highly stylised to meet company branding and presented in an interactive format.

4. UK Prototype and Design

Keeping a close eye on detail during the initial stages of design are critical and this is much easier to do in the UK.  There are always several modifications to even the most prepared designs and communicating effectively and getting accurate samples of major or minor alterations is much easier to handle in terms of communication and the speed of delivery.

5. Far East Manufacture

Once designs are confirmed, a reliable manufacturer from the Far East with consistent results and satisfactory communication skills will need to be sourced.  It’s essential to use an experienced manager with established relationships in the Far East to ensure components are sourced and supplied at a competitive price, that they help co-ordinate quality assurance and that acceptable delivery targets are negotiated on your behalf.

It goes without saying that Corintech are experts at all of the above and much more! If you have an idea for a new product, or need help with an element of design or manufacture, please email Dean James or telephone him on 01425 655655.