Technology is supposed to make everything easier—until it doesn’t. We’ve all been there. So, when you’re working with so-called “easy technology” that does nothing but complicate things, it can make it difficult to even consider yet another new technology integration.

If you’re an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of advanced sensors and smart monitoring devices, take heart. There is something that can empower you to offer value-added devices to your customers, as well as deliver valuable data to inform your next product improvement.

The Challenges of Product Improvement

In product development, OEMS face plenty of challenges, ranging from cost constraints to standards and protocols to marketplace competition.

Here’s a look at some of the most common product development challenges today:

• Technology: Because it requires complex engineering, it is expensive and time-consuming (not to mention necessary) to integrate new technologies with Legacy systems.
• Interoperability: Complying with industry standards and protocols can be technically demanding, often requiring extensive testing and certification.
• Performance: Improving sensor performance and functionality is an often-monumental task, requiring precision engineering and advanced manufacturing.
• Competition and Cost: Staying competitive requires OEMs to be innovative all the time, yet R&D is expensive, time-to-market must be quick, and low-profit margins are all too common.
• Cybersecurity: Escalation in cyber threats combined with growing sophistication of hackers has elevated data security and privacy to all-new levels of importance for device manufacturers.
• Data Management and Analytics: There’s an inherent technical complexity to developing smart automation sensors and integrating emerging technologies like AI, machine learning (ML), and advanced data analytics.

How OEMs Can Get Quicker, Data-Informed Insights

Nearly every OEM has its own product improvement process, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a better way to build the proverbial mousetrap. In this instance, “a better mousetrap” means better access to data.

FieldVEU is an innovative mobile application that empowers OEMs by enabling better data collection and analysis. FieldVEU delivers 15 data points per device, giving OEMS like you the insights you need to understand how your smart devices perform in real-world conditions.

Like most OEMs, your devices are on-site working in a variety of applications and environments, including hot and humid, cold and arid, and everything in between. Your customers need your device to work in their specific application and environment, and FieldVEU gives you the power to make it happen.

Not only does FieldVEU provide valuable, contextual operational data so you can analyze, troubleshoot, adapt, and evolve your products, it also enables you to enhance your product capabilities and, ultimately, meet your customers’ needs.

How It Works

• Easy-to-use dashboard templates: FieldVEU gives OEMs the ability to create custom dashboard templates, including device-specific ones; all of which are customer-friendly, and include preset data sets and views.
• Instant, secure, remote access: OEMs and their customers can securely access and remotely monitor their device data from any location to ensure that all assets are performing optimally.
• Concise understanding of device function: FieldVEU monitors and displays up to 15 points of data per device.
• Data-informed insight: FieldVEU features persistent, long-term data storage, enabling OEMs to have continuous access to product enhancement information.
• No annual data charges: FieldVEU is available as a subscription model with no annual data charges for OEM equipment connected to the cloud-based, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, the MSA Grid FieldServer Manager.

3 Ways FieldVEU Can Help OEMs Overcome Product Improvement Challenges

Most OEMs approach product development and product improvement challenges in typical fashion: gathering customer feedback, analyzing market trends, partnering with vendors and suppliers, and investing in extensive R&D.

But what if you could innovate and refine your products in less time and at much less expense? Here are three tactics that could make it easier to stay relevant, timely, and customer centric.

1. Leverage Technology

See how well your devices are working in the field with these FieldVEU features: real-time remote monitoring and notifications, as well as continuous and robust data collection for improved visibility and data-informed decision making.

2. Save on R&D

Research and development is a necessary, yet time-consuming and costly undertaking. FieldVEU lets you streamline your R&D with rapid feedback loops, fewer design iterations, and quicker product adjustments. So, with FieldVEU there’s very little cost to get your next IoT solution to market.

3. Speed Time-to-Market

As customer demands increase and market trends evolve, gaining a competitive edge is essential. Faster product launches can mean a bigger overall market share, not to mention increased revenue, deepened customer loyalty, and improved reputation as an industry leader.

With FieldVEU, you can start testing your IoT solution faster than ever—often within just a few weeks, instead of the typical months or years.

Ready to Simplify Your Product Development Improvements?

To keep up with customer and market demands and stay competitive, OEMs need to continuously integrate advanced digital technologies into products. To find out how FieldVEU can help you decrease your R&D costs while improving time-to-market, schedule a demo or talk to an MSA Sales Representative.