End-To-End Implementation

System Integration

System Integration is a very under-estimated and under-represented in general discussion. We at Sisai understand this as our core strength and central to what we do. After all putting together a solution requires us to engineer a ‘system’. A system with several solutions that need to be brought together and made to work seamlessly.

A Case Study

We recently did a project for a very large and well know organization where we helped them identify and put sensors on their vehicle for collecting the various characteristics during operations. This required many pieces to come together

Identification of the type of sensors. In this case multiple pressure and vibration sensor
Design and construction of multiple EDGE devices with wireless communication and rechargeable batteries
Machining of multiple T joints, which could be inserted in series with the existing pipes so that the pressure sensor could be added for us to take the readings
Design and fabrication of circular platform to sir on a cylindrical pneumatic suspension so that a vibration sensor could be securely placed on it.
Design and implementation of wireless communication using CAN etc protocol to collect data
Design and development of a complete visualization software, including the analysis of data as well as configurable ‘alerts’ with upper and lower control limits.
Installing and delivering the entire working system as a turn-key project.

This project involved:

Electronic hardware design and manufacture along with selection of right connectors
Design and fabrication of boxes, platforms and appropriate fasteners
Machining of appropriate T junctions for inserting pressure sensors
Design and development of firmware
Design and development of visualization software

Program and Project Management

System Integration and Program(Project) Management go hand in hand. To pull off large complex projects a very strong base in Program/Project Management is needed.

With team members who have a combined experience of more than 50 years delivering large programs in various previous organizations, Sisai places great emphasis in following good engineering and management processes.

Project Selection and Business Case

Organizations don’t undertake projects just for the sake of deploying the latest technology. It starts with the overall vision and roadmap of the organization. Based on the vision, various candidate projects are listed and then analysed for business case and return on investment.

Sisai helps clients in project definition and selection. We help write the business case, with careful identification of the desired outcomes and the expected ROI using Net Present Value(NPV) or Internal Rate of Return(IRR) method.

Project Execution

Mature project management processes are needed for efficient and predictable results. Sisai teams are experienced in applying project management best practices(including PMI.org framework).

Some of our best practices include(but not limited to) the use of:

Requirements Checklists
Risk Assessment Framework

The Project Management Institute( pmi.org )published the PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge). There are other frameworks too. We at Sisai follow industry best practices in project management where Risk Identification and Response is a vital part of our practice to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.

SEI (Software Engineering Institute) of Carnegie Mellon has published a Risk Taxonomy for software.

https://insights.sei.cmu.edu/documents/3372/2005_017_001_24342.pdf

This is a very useful resource for identifying risks under various categories.

Development Risk Taxonomy

Based on various inputs, Sisai has its own IoT specific risk process with detailed checklists.

3. Schedule Management Processes with great emphasis on Critical Path Analysis

1. Clearly identifying client dependencies

4. Quality Management Framework

5. Validation and Verification Testing

Outcomes over Outputs

“People don’t want to buy a quarter inch drill, they want a quarter inch hole.”
Theodore Levitt famously said this in 1962.
Above all, we understand the difference between Output and Outcomes and are committed to helping our clients achieve the desired outcomes.

Turnkey Delivery

We, at Sisai, are in the business of providing solutions to our clients. Turn-key delivery is the outcome of great focus on System Integration and Program Management.

“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.” Carl Sagan

Nothing is achieved in isolation. To deliver complex solutions, requires an ability to grow a vast network of vendor partners and work closely with them.

Today we work with vendors as diverse as:

Electronic component vendors
Sheet metal working vendors
Lathe and machining vendors
Sensor manufacturers – water level monitoring sensors, pressure gauges etc
3D printing experts
Domain experts in electrical equipments like energy monitoring meters .

Relationships with these vendors has been cultivated over years. Given our focus on Project Management and Communication, we are able to translate client requirements into engineering solutions and communicate precisely the sub-set that our vendors need to work on. This ensures adherence to time-lines and optimised costs for us to be able to provide great value to our clients.