Bespoke Electronics
Introduction
Watchfront Electronics was formed in 1989 with the strategy, from day one, of ensuring all our hardware and software designs perform to specification by paying attention to detail and quality. Our engineers operate in a 'virtual office', linked by sophisticated communication technology, and are highly qualified to implement the Watchfront strategy.
We operate as a virtual company, having offices in Wokingham, London and Bonchurch. The resources necessary to operate in this way have been continually developed since the company was formed. All our offices have broadband internet connections and VoIP telephony.
Engineers
The core base of engineers has remained largely unchanged since the company began trading, however expertise has changed and developed dramatically. Many of the engineers have known and worked with each other since leaving University and complement each other well in terms of skills and interests.
Our engineers are disciplined in both hardware and software design, as well as production engineering, and each has experience to fully understand the practicalities of manufacturing and commercial requirements of electronic product design. Each engineer is equipped with a full range of development systems, CAD tools, test and measuring equipment. Our engineering expertise is available to deal with all stages in the design cycle of electronic hardware and software, including CE accreditation and production test systems.
Expertise
In our early years, we were designing analogue and some micro-controlled hardware and software systems. We now offer complex mixed technology solutions as well as pure software design for control and also networking of products using LonWorks and Ethernet. PC networks and control and maintenance of systems via the Internet is a growing area for us. Web hosting and bespoke application serving is a further area that we are finding is developing rapidly.
As a design company we have also formed ad-hoc alliances with other organisations allowing us and them to offer a wider range of services. The other companies we team with have a similar approach to us in terms of quality and project commitment.
Due to our varied customer and technology base, expertise has been developed in many areas. This includes communications (mains borne, telephone and radio as well as fixed wire), battery and solar powered products and controllers for a variety of applications, including safety systems, access and leisure systems and intrinsic safety products. The majority of our designs are produced for industrial and professional use with production requirements from 10s to 10,000s per year.
Products and Services
Major product designs have included an extensive modular fire control and ventilation system for large buildings, hotel room access systems and an airborne diagnostics and communication system. Small product designs have included a solar powered 'assistant' to display speed and other parameters for small boat owners and battery powered intruder alarms. OEM designs have included a range of low cost switchmode power supplies and battery chargers, up to 350 watts, a vending machine controller and many other products.
Full engineering support services are available, including PCB design, project management, technical writing and prototype manufacture and test. Where necessary we can provide industrial design and full product manufacturing by teaming, on a project by project basis, with companies we have worked with for many years and meet our standards of quality and service.
We have also built up a portfolio of products including an Internet firewall (FireBrick), microcontroller programmer, PC104 fax modem, LonWorks powerline temperature sensor and LonWorks motor controller.
Principles
Confidentiality is of prime importance to us. We will not work with competitors of our customers, or release any information to third parties, other than for publicity purposes e.g. press releases, and only then with the full approval of our customers.
Efficiency - by using up-to-date technology and a flexible 'virtual office' environment we have maximised our working efficiency, leading to increased quality, value for money, and above all job satisfaction.
The Watchfront strategy of paying attention to detail and quality has served us and our customers well for many years. We intend to continue doing the same for many more.