Network Allies offers clients a suite of value added design and engineering services focused on open systems technology. Our decades of experience allow us to avoid pitfalls associated with off-the-shelf system design. In addition to maintaining longstanding technology partner relationships with industry leaders like Intel and Emerson Technology, we are constantly evaluating new products and suppliers in order to help our clients design the best fit solution. We understand that a "one size fits all" approach to system solutions may suit the desktop world but does not work for OEMs and ISVs. Therefore, an important part of our engagement process is to understand our client's unique requirements before we propose a solution. When requirements arise that cannot be met with off-the-shelf components our engineering team can design a solution for your specific needs.
Design Process:
Requirements Analysis
- Our initial step in the design process is to fully understand the client's needs. Not simply a technical exercise, we take into account factors such as price, physical environment, serviceability, and product lifecycle before we move forward.
Advantage: A fully scoped requirements document. This is something often overlooked or undervalued when working with off-the-shelf technology. This can save time and costs associated with false starts and miscommunication.
Technology Assessment
- With decades of experience designing purpose built systems based on industry standard architectures we are uniquely qualified to match the system level technology to each customer's requirements. Our systems engineers are continuously updated on technology roadmaps from our technology suppliers as well as industry standards from associations such as PICMG.
Advantage: Elimination of the risks associated with selecting technology based on datasheets, marketing presentations and individual preferences. There is no substitution for real world experience. Because we are constantly using this technology we are an experienced evaluator.
System Configuration and Design
- Combining the information developed in the requirements analysis and technology assessment stages we develop a system solution that is as simple or complex as appropriate. Our hardware architecture expertise includes system platforms such as PCI, Embedded PC, cPCI, ATCA, MicroTCA, and VMEbus. Our operating system expertise includes Linux, the Microsoft OS suite, and various real-time operating systems.
Advantage: Reduction in risks associated with under or over engineering system solutions. Increased productivity by utilizing a design team with cross platform and operating system experience.
Custom Design
- When a system requirement cannot be met with an off the shelf component Network Allies' engineering team can design and produce a custom solution that meets your exact needs.
Advantage: By having both off-the-shelf and custom engineering efforts managed by the same team you reduce costs and help ensure a cohesive solution.
Supplier Evaluation and Selection
- Choosing the best technology suppliers out of the countless numbers available is a significant challenge. We continually evaluate existing and new suppliers based on technology, quality, pricing, services and stability. Choosing a CPU board supplier who has the lowest price but a poor end-of-life track record may create a constant re-qualification problem. A supplier with the latest and greatest technology may have insufficient operating system driver support. Also, there are many suppliers whose products may meet the technical and price needs of a project but are not designed to handle the duty cycle and environmental needs of an OEM environment.
Advantage: Pre-qualified supply chain reduces risk and overhead costs.
Interoperability Validation
- Many OEM system designs include system components from multiple vendors. Ensuring interoperability between the system components is a critical step in our configuration and design process. Although built to the same industry specifications, there are instances where interoperability is not automatic especially in systems running Linux or real-time operating systems.
Advantage: Allows software development to begin on a known "good" platform.
Acceptance Test Development
- Because we ship turnkey to some of our client's customers (cross-docking) or directly into our client's inventory, we often work jointly to develop a thorough final acceptance test. We typically provide a combination of in-house, manufacturer supplied and client supplied testing processes and tools.
Advantage: Ability to ship known good turnkey solutions while improving cycle times.
