Sage Consultants Pty Ltd - Turning ideas into reality

Experts in Electronics Product Design

1. Company

1.1. About Us

Sage was incorporated in 1996 to satisfy a market demand to streamline the product development process to have market ready products faster.

Sage offers a complete product development service from concept right through to manufacture. Sage's end-to-end service allows clients to concentrate on their core competencies and reduce the time to market by outsourcing the development process.

Turning an idea into a mass produced product rolling off a production line is a very risky process when left in inexperienced hands. By leveraging off over 50 years experience in electronics and product design, Sage alleviates the commercial risks and challenges associated with turning an idea into a finished product in the fastest possible time, of the highest quality and within budget.

Make sure you take advantage of narrow market windows for your product before your competitors.

1.2. Careers

For Sage to provide the highest level of service we invest in the best employees.

Sage is always looking for unique individuals that combine technical expertise with commercial experience.

If you are driven by meeting challenges head on and are experienced in 'turning ideas into reality' then contact our Human Resource Manager about our exciting employment opportunities.

Mail to:

Human Resources Manager
Sage Consultants Pty Ltd
Suite 1A, 17 Billabong Street
Stafford QLD 4053

2. Services

2.1 What we do

2.1.1. Overview

Companies are experiencing ever narrowing market windows for products. Speed to market has become a mission critical element in product development in today's competitive environment.

Sage takes a concept and turns it into a mass produced product rolling off a production line easily, quickly and cost-effectively.

Sage's Product Development Process entails a comprehensive analysis of the concept to determine product feasibility, from which comes a detailed Product Specification for the project. We use our 50 years experience in product design to develop a robust product that meets the specific requirements of the client. We rigorously test the product and obtain any relevant compliance accreditations.

We then turn the idea into a finished product running off the production line. We then go the next step to offer ongoing support after delivery of the finished product which may include warranty issues and product enhancements.

Sage's project management throughout the product development process enables us to effectively meet your project goals on budget and on time. Close consultation, appropriate planning, and an understanding of key dates and deliverables means you will always know how your product is progressing.

2.1.2. Concept Development

Sage begins any project with an analysis of your business and product concept so as to learn about your business and product requirements. In this comprehensive interview the discussions are geared towards taking the initial concept and begin focusing on the product details. The resulting Product Specification becomes the map which directs the entire product development process.

During the 'Concept Development' phase Sage also undertakes the following analysis':

•  Technical Risk Analysis. Sage undertakes a thorough technical risk analysis of any concept before we progress with development. This analysis allows us to identify problems or obstacles that may delay the project. In our experience this initial analysis of the risks helps with having market ready products faster by being pre-prepared for any obstacles.

• Product Feasability Analysis. Sage will challenge the original concept to ensure the product's feasability. This includes competitor product research analysis, patent searches, and using our knowledge and experience in electronics to creatively improve the concept.

2.1.3. Product Design

Following the 'Concept Development' phase in which the product requirements and project parameters are clearly established, Sage uses the detailed Product Specification to progress with the Product Design phase.

This phase consists of:

• Hardware Design. Sage is experienced in designing a wide range of electronic applications for various markets. It is this design experience that allows us to have market ready products easily, quickly, and cost effectively.
  
• PCB Layout. Sage's qualified PCB Engineers prepare customised PCB layout design (single or double sided) ready for manufacture using Protel PCB Design software.
  
• Industrial Design. Using the latest in industrial design principles, Sage designs a product that meets the specification requirements, is functional, environmentally friendly and aesthetically appealing.
  
• Software Design. Sage can offer a range of software design and development services for various operating systems and platforms.
  
• Prototyping. A prototype looks and works like the final product. The prototype is used to evaluate the product design before proceeding to full scale production.
  
• Pre-Production Management. The final step in the Product Design phase is pre-production or beta production where a small run of the product is undertaken. This allows the client to see what the product is going to look like after the full production run. The beta unit is used to test the finished product and evaluate if any modifications to the design is required.

2.1.4. Testing and Compliance

When pre-production of your product is completed, Sage will put the product through a rigorous testing and compliance phase. At this point the beta product is used to view and evaluate the product design before large scale production.

Every element of the product is tested to ensure that the product meets the Product Specification. Sage undertakes:

• Compliance Testing. Sage can take your system through the regulatory compliance testing to obtain A and C-tick, CE, ETSI and UL approvals, including RFI emissions and RFI immunity for ACA telecommunications approvals. Sage also has in-house pre EMC compliance testing equipment that we use prior to submission for ACA approvals.
  
• Product field trials. Working in conjunction with our clients, Sage undertakes proof of concept trials of the product with the proposed target audience.
  
• Product Evaluation and Modification. Comments from testing, field trials and market evaluation of the prototype may lead to adjustments to the design before progressing to mass production.

2.1.5. Product Manufacture

As part of the 'Product Manufacturing' phase Sage:

• Creates BOM Lists. Sage's detailed 'Bill Of Materials' lists all of the items required to build a complete product. The BOM documentation enables clients to manufacture the product anywhere in the world.
  
• Component Procurement. Sage can manage the materials procurement to build the product. Manufacturing and procurement are within our core competencies and we are able to source quality components quickly and inexpensively through our global supplier connections.
  
• Manufacturing Management. Managing the manufacturing process is a very risky business if left in inexperienced hands. Sage is experienced with managing large and small scale manufacturing projects with global connections to manufacturers that will best suit the volume, technology and complexity of your product.
  
• Logistics and Deployment. Sage can organise for deployment of the finished product right to your door anywhere in the world.

2.1.6. Ongoing Support

One of Sage's key differentiators is our 'Ongoing Support' after the product has reached your door.

Sage's post manufacturing support includes warranty repairs, returns management, product enhancements and technical support.

Sage's end-to-end product development service provides a guaranteed high quality service for the life of the product and enhances our position as one of the industry's leading electronic product development company.

2.2. Why Choose Us

So, why Choose Sage to manage the product development process?

• Sage offers a complete end-to-end product development service.
  
• Sage has a proven track record with companies such as Boeing Australia, Braintree Communications, Velseis, Geonautics, Megabay Lighting and Spiderbox .
  
• Sage has access to high quality suppliers both locally and internationally.
  
• Sage has links to lower cost offshore manufacturing services .
  
• Sage can develop designs on a fixed price contract as we understand the design process thoroughly.
  
• Sage generates quality documentation that can be used to manufacture products anywhere in the world.
  
• Sage's tried and tested design processes develop solutions of the highest quality in a timely manner that meet unique customer requirements.
  
• Sage provides ongoing support after the final product has been delivered.

2.3. Our Design Expertise

There is no such thing as a simple design unless designing electronics is your core business. Designing electronics is Sage's core business and we pride ourselves on being experts in:

• 16/32 Bit microprocessor design - Xscale - Bulverde (PXA72X, PXA255, IXP425) MIPS Au1100, MCF5272 (Freescale Coldfire)


• 8 Bit microcontroller design - Microchip PIC Micros, 8051 variants, Zilog Z8 Encore, Atmel AVR


• FPGA and other programmable logic
• DSP - Analog Devices 21XX family (16 bit), 21XXX family (32 bit floating point)


• Wireless Communications (Bluetooth, GPRS, CDMA, GSM, Wifi, Zigbee, IrDA, GPS, Nordic RF)


• Wired Communications (Ethernet, ADSL, USB, CAN, ISDN, modem protocols, RS232/RS485, 4-20mA, SHDSL, DMX512)


• Embedded Linux based designs for clients – just add your own application layer.


• Programmable Logic - Xilinx Spartan, CPLD - Altera Cyclone, ACEX1K.


• Motor Controllers, Lighting Controllers, Fibre optics, Telemetry and remote monitoring systems, Video controllers, Gaming/betting products, Protocol conversion, Communications Controllers


• Power supply design


• Data Acquisition

Pretty much anything with electronics inside it.

3. Partners

3.1. Partners

Intel
Xilinx
Microchip

4. Media Centre

For the latest News items go to the graphics site at:

News Articles - www.sageconsultants.com.au/html/media/articles.htm

5. Contact Us

Suite 1A
17 Billabong Street
Stafford QLD 4053
Australia

ABN: 97 080 021 683

Ph: +61 7 3356 5551
Fax: +61 7 3356 5667

Email: info@sageconsultants.com.au

7. Site Policy

For the Website Policy go to the graphics site at www.sageconsultants.com.au/html/legals/sitepolicy.htm