Prototype-to-Production PCBA for a Dual-Board IoT Controller
Scenario
An IoT product company needed prototype PCB assembly for two new controller board designs — a 4-layer main controller and a 2-layer sensor board — and wanted to benchmark offshore cost and lead time before committing to a production run of 500 units per design.
Challenge
The BOM included a specialty BLE module that standard distributors did not stock, and one customer-supplied part had to be excluded from the turnkey quote. The customer needed a clear, stage-by-stage view of cost and timing to compare against a local assembler.
Solution
We provided a granular per-stage lead-time breakdown (bare-board fabrication, component procurement, assembly) totalling about 30 days, sourced the specialty BLE module directly from its manufacturer, and cleanly excluded the customer-fitted part from the turnkey BOM.
Result
Our quoted lead time came in ahead of the customer's local assembler, and they moved toward a production order pending successful prototype validation.