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Providing more than a decade of leadership in embedded systems design and development
Embedded systems can be described as an electronic subsystem that provides the heartbeat of a larger system. Computers, cellular phones, cardiac monitors, anti-lock brake systems, even coffee makers house embedded systems.
For developers and manufacturers, the need to outsource embedded systems increases as product palettes expand and technology becomes more complex. A recent study by the ARC Group, for instance, stated that almost half of all shipped mobile computing devices will contain embedded wireless cellular data modems by 2006.
Such was the vision of Mike Wilkinson when he founded Plano, Texas-based Paragon Innovations Inc. in 1990. His objective: to build a company of hardware and software experts who design and develop sophisticated technology systems for companies intent on shortening product life cycles, streamlining research and development, and cutting costs.
Star Quality
Since its inception, Paragon Innovations has grown into a national leader of embedded system design, development and documentation. With 18 employees and increased revenues of 110 percent between 1999 and 2000, the company was chosen by the Dallas Business Journal as one of North Texas’ fastest-growing technology companies.
“At Paragon, we focus on outsourced excellence, documentation, deadlines and customer value,” said Wilkinson. “Our team of technical experts own the collective brainpower, experience and expertise to create superior embedded systems. We also leverage Paragon’s proven rapid-product development, methodology and documentation processes. We’re the provider that makes sure your hardware and software become one; star-quality embedded systems design and development.”
The Complete Package
As technology grows more complex, companies must increasingly outsource key, peripheral components. Still, in many cases, Paragon finds that it must educate a client on its services. “We’re compared to independent contractors, yet we’re vastly different,” said Wilkinson. “Our standards of quality are much higher, we offer a third-party, objective perspective (which is very important with prototype designs), and we have access to a reservoir of corporate resources.”
Wilkinson’s team avoids the norm of working at a customer site. “We’re a core group of embedded designers with complete testing and production laboratories and equipment and the wherewithal to maintain long-term customer relationships with customers.”
Paragon staff typically work with the customer, return to the office, collaborate with an in-house team and brainstorm an optimal approach. “You get a superior design and product, and you avoid corporate minutiae,” says Wilkinson.
Wilkinson also demands “bilingual” capabilities – knowledge, experience and expertise in hardware and software – from his technology experts. “Since day one, we focused on becoming adept and knowledgeable in both, and I hire engineers and technology experts who know both sides of the fence,” says Wilkinson. “Today, it’s a tremendous advantage for customers.”
Inside Paragon
Paragon Innovations develops embedded systems for the wireless, telephony, medical, Internet, robotics and semiconductor industries, among others. Customers include 3M, CC Technologies, Halliburton, Hitachi, Matsushita/Panasonic, Motorola, and Netbotz.
The company’s embedded artistry has been applied to products such as miniaturized insulin pumps, a robotic arm join controller, wireless telecommunications systems and serial-to-Ethernet gateway devices.
Paragon’s team incorporate a keen understanding of a company’s strategic business goals; a go-to-market mentality drives their commitment to help customers rapidly deploy their technologies and gain competitive advantage.
Get It in Writing
One of Paragon’s greatest differentiators and value-added benefits is its documentation. New customers, for instance, receive “The Paragon Outsourcing Guide,” a comprehensive notebook and teaching tool that outlines the entire technology design life-cycle, as well as Paragon’s innovative approach. For convenience, clients have exclusive access to the online version.
Paragon’s Engineer-in-a-Notebook(tm) journals every process, step and specification of a customer’s technology design, from beginning to end. This form of intellectual property acts as a short- and long-term resource for product upgrades and more.
“Most engineers – and technical personnel in general – are good at design and development but extremely poor at documenting what was done when, where, how and why,” said Wilkinson. “Documentation – for a customer – is where the gold is. It’s vital to long-term success. That’s why we emphasize it so strongly.
“And because deadlines and dollars are critical to the customer, we specify realistic goals and expectations up front,” said Wilkinson. “Again, documentation is an added advantage because it requires pre-planning and communication, which directly impacts delivery date and how much it costs.”
The Secret to Success
For Wilkinson, consistent, beyond-the-boundaries excellence breeds corporate health and well-being. “Success comes when customers are consistently happy, when deadlines are met, when inspiration and innovation are met, and when all details – from start to finish – are well documented and delivered. We give customers an experience – and a finished product – they never knew existed.”
About Paragon Innovations Inc.
Paragon Innovations Inc., based in Plano, Texas, is a national services provider specializing in the design, development and documentation of embedded systems in commercial and consumer technology products. Using a proven, 22-step quality methodology, Paragon’s technology experts leverage more than a decade of experience in rapid product development to deliver superior products such as miniaturized insulin pumps, semiconductor reference platforms and Internet appliances for companies in the Internet, medical, semiconductor, telephony, robotics and wireless industries, among others. Customers include 3M, AMD, Hitachi, Motorola and Ubicom-Scenix. Paragon is a privately held company that was founded in 1990 by founder and Chief Executive Officer Michael Wilkinson. The company is located in the heart of the Telecom Corridor®. For more information, visit www.paragoninnovations.com, or contact Kay Pinkerton (214) 521-8596, or via e-mail at kpinkerton@mbapr.com.
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