The benefits of hiring a contract engineer

The times are changing and everything is becoming more and more uncertain. Businesses are rising again but the fear of going down fast still remains. Organizations are struggling with the overload of their engineers and are somehow hoping to make it right with their next product that will keep them overwater in the next years.
The solution for this problem could be a contract engineer that will help your company only when you need it.

Let's take a look at the benefits an organization can get from a contract engineer:

1. Contract engineers are ideal for companies that do not have the constant need for an additional engineer or are just starting out and are still unsure in the future of their business.
2. The company can decide each time which contractor to hire acording to his skills and expertise.
3. A contract engineer can concentrate on projects requirements and deadlines and provide better focus than house engineers, that are working on other ongoing projects.
4. A new individual usually brings in a fresh way of thinking and could suggest solutions that may have been overlooked by the house engineers.
5. A contract engineer brings in a new network of individuals and companies that could add value to the project.
6. If engineer did not fulfill their expectations there is no need to hire him again.

Things to be aware of when working with a contract engineer:

1. Entering an outsourcing partnership while under pressure is not ideal and can present hard times for both parties.
2. Many companies do not value internal and external costs equally. Therefore, outside resources appear more expensive, although they may not be at the end.
3. While outsourcing may be expensive, the payoff from product comming quicker to market can make it well worthwile.
4. It is critical to define the project in as much written detail as possible. Not everything can be set up front. The better the definition the lower the costs.
5. Make sure the contract engineer has the necessary resources to get the job done, such as software and project managemenet tools. It is risky to hire engineers without proper software licenses.

If your company is struggling with overload of engineers make sure you check our website www.jrp.si to see what we have to offer...

Different types of hardware prototypes and what are they for...

When searching the web for prototypes you must have stumbled upon different terms of them like mock-up, proof-of-concept and so on. So how are they made and what purpose do they serve?
I put them in order in which they are most likely to be used in the development cycle of a new hardware product:

Virtual Prototype

• A 3d model of the product made in CAD software
• Used to make fancy renderings to test the market
• Also used to make 2d drawings for manufacturing of prototypes
• It changes and evolves until it’s ready for mass-production

Visual Prototype or Looks-Like Prototype

• A physical model or an industrial design drawing
• No functionalities are included
• To explore the basic size, look and feel
• To test ergonomics

Proof of Concept Prototype or Works-Like Prototype

• A prototype made from basic material that is by the hand or from previous similar products
• Made only to test new functionalities that need to be proven
• Must not be the whole product, only the part that needs to be tested
• Usually we don’t pay attention to the manufacturability
• Doesn’t look like the final product
• For different functionalities of the same product multiple prototypes with different solutions can be made to choose the best combination
• Used to test functionality and also for showing it to the investors

Mock-Up

• A prototype to test the functionality and feel within the expected shape and look of the final product
• Usually very-low cost to turn attention away from details and graphic design

Presentation Prototype or Looks-Like Works-Like Prototype

• It combines the functionality and the appearance of the product
• Made from the same material or very similar materials as the final product but with different manufacturing processes
• Used to test the product customer interaction

Pre-Production Prototype

• The first version of the mass-produced product
• Used to check for errors that might have not been yet discovered

But at the end, it’s not important how you call it as long as it gives you the option to test what you need to and to test it as fast as possible.

A prototype a day, corrects mistakes by the way :).