Our Custom Test Equipment Supplier Process
Here’s the typical process we follow to supply you with your custom test equipment solution.
Variations on this process apply based on individual needs, of course.
Gather requirements & provide proposal
Timeframe: 1-6 weeks (typical)
After an initial exploratory call, we work with you (via phone calls, emails, and sometimes site visits) to gather the info needed to develop your custom test equipment. This step requires understanding your use case, timeframe, test cases, functional needs, documentation needs, regulated process needs, business agreements, funding methods, etc.
Output: Proposal
We work together with you to understand your needs so you get what you want in the end. The proposal includes a description of the deliverables and associated pricing.
Design, develop, integrate & test the test system
Timeframe: 1-6 months
Our engineers start designing, coding, and implementing your test system. We engage our machine and/or panel builder subcontractors as needed. GUIs are developed, sequences generated, enclosures and cables are built, documents are prepared, and it’s all put together and run through initial tests at Viewpoint.
Output: Factory-accepted test system
We may have clarifying & preference-oriented questions as we design.
Commission the test system
Timeframe: 1 day – 2 weeks
The goal here is to test the test system to make sure it works when delivered to you. This effort could either be a formal process with an ATP (Acceptance Test Plan), performed at Viewpoint or at your location as needed, or it could be an informal checkout of the test system during a runoff. The level of rigor of this SAT (Site Acceptance Test) is based on your needs. Any remaining required documentation is written here.
Output: Delivered & accepted Custom Test Equipment with source code. Documentation as requested.
We either go on-site at your facility and work with you side-by-side or, if you have the skills, we’ll hand it over to you to help commission and save cost.
Support after delivery
Timeframe: 12 months
This phase is a recognition that, in the real world, things arise because you are using an unfamiliar system. Depending on your needs, we can either include some support funds in the initial quote, or wait and see if there are problems that require a support purchase order to address. Sometimes a quick phone conversation resolves the issue. Any support and maintenance would happen here, as required.
Output: Smiles
Most problems can generally be handled via phone and email. It’s rare that we need to come on site to provide support, because we’ve already shown functionality before shipping to you.