One of our services is product and electronics modernization. It’s a process that helps companies update their existing devices—without starting from scratch—so they can meet new technical standards, customer needs, or production challenges.
To better explain what this service really involves, we conducted an internal interview with our CEO, Janusz Skóra-Cichowski. We wanted to dig deeper into how we work, what makes our approach unique, and what the collaboration process looks like from the client’s perspective.
If you’re considering modernizing your product—or simply curious about how it works—read on.
1. What is the advantage of Polish hardware teams compared to the global market?
The Polish education system gives engineers a broader technological perspective than specialists from, for example, the United States. In the U.S., a software engineer is just that—a software engineer. If someone works in digital electronics, they specialize only in that.
In contrast, Polish engineers tend to work across disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach improves workflow and overall understanding. Information flows more smoothly, and the broader perspective of our engineers allows projects to be delivered faster and more efficiently.
Onboarding new team members is also easier. A single specialist doesn’t have to transfer all their concentrated knowledge. Of course, experts are essential, but sometimes it’s just as helpful when a colleague explains a concept in their own words. Our teams aren’t made up of isolated experts, but form an expert team. Polish engineers are excellent communicators.
2. What billing model do we use with clients, and how do we ensure transparency?
When we receive a project inquiry, we aim to estimate it and provide a fixed price offer, detailing the scope, estimated number of days, and total engineer hours.
We do not charge for managerial hours. Clients pay only for engineering hours worked on the project.
There are two key factors: the total project cost and the timeline. We adjust these depending on the client’s needs—whether they prefer faster delivery or a lower monthly budget. We estimate how many engineers and how many hours will be needed.
We work on a time and materials basis, but we commit to the originally estimated cost (unless the client changes the scope). If issues arise on our side, we take full responsibility.
We bill monthly based on actual hours worked. Our engineers log hours in YouTrack, and at the end of each month, we generate a report and invoice.
Typically, clients end up paying less than the initial quote (in 80% of cases), assuming the scope doesn’t change.
3. What happens after a client submits an inquiry?
We analyze the project scope and evaluate whether it aligns with our meaningful project approach—whether it brings real value. We assess the scope and potential challenges. If there are uncertainties, we clarify them with the client. Then we prepare a proposal that includes a timeline and cost estimate.
4. When should a company reach out to us (and when do they usually do so)?
Usually, companies with stable businesses and mature products contact us when their product needs modernization. They’re not developing a new product but facing challenges that require updates.
There are three common scenarios:
- Production modernization: For example, a company with a 40-year-old product using outdated and expensive parts. We rebuild the same device with modern technology inside—enabling continued production and reducing costs.
- Product/technology modernization: For example, a company offering a wireless heating control device that originally supported only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. We added dual-band support (2.4 + 5 GHz) without changing the physical product—just by adding components, updating the software, and adjusting production files.
- Functional modernization: For example, a company that produces coffee machines used for years in the market. We added Arabic and Japanese language support to help them expand into Middle Eastern and Asian markets.
We usually work with two types of clients:
- Companies that focus on sales and don’t have in-house R&D teams—we provide engineering resources.
- Companies with R&D teams, but whose engineers are engaged in other projects. We help reduce time-to-market by stepping in.
5. How quickly can we start a client’s project?
After we deliver the offer (within 1 to 2 weeks), we can usually start within 2 to 4 weeks, depending on team availability and the project’s urgency.
6. What does the modernization process look like, step by step?
- Client submits an inquiry
- We request documentation (software, electronics, mechanical housing)
- We analyze existing files
- If documentation is missing, we offer reverse engineering and generate the report
- We hold weekly update meetings
- Work is tracked in YouTrack and results are continuously available in Git repositories.
We define milestones:
- Stage I: Prototype replicates existing device functionality
- Stage II: Modernized version
- Stage III: New PCB, often ~50% cheaper to manufacture
We deliver:
- Hardware: editable EDA project files (Altium, KiCad)
- Firmware: project source code (if modernization is needed)
- Documentation: unified production files ready to run manufacturing (GERBER, HEX, BOM etc.)
Modernization often includes preparing the product for future upgrades. We deliver production ready documentation.
7. What industries do we specialize in?
- Foodtech and industrial kitchen equipment
- IoT, smart kitchen and smart home appliances
- Critical infrastructure, fire & security systems
- Medtech, sensors and algorithms
- Multimedia, touchscreens, DSP and analog frontends
8. What makes us stand out?
Transparency and a true partnership—both on the business and technological level. Everything we develop is shared with the client as editable files, and they always have full visibility into our work.
We’re proud of our team—young, dynamic, and far more capable than their age might suggest. Of course, every company says their team is great, but we believe ours genuinely delivers beyond expectations.
What also sets us apart is our experience in the U.S. market. In many ways, it’s easier for us to implement projects in the United States or abroad than in Poland. The U.S. is our native market, and when it comes to international expansion, we often find ourselves figuring out how to enter the Polish market, not the other way around.
By default, we operate with a global mindset. We’re working to keep our international footprint balanced—with growing interest not just in the U.S., but also in Europe and Scandinavia.
9. Are there industry standards we meet?
We aim to set our own standards through practices like full transparency, time reporting, sharing code in version-controlled repositories (instead of exchanging ZIP files), and consistently delivering documentation and conceptual designs—whether it’s for software or electronics.
While some of these may not be formal industry standards, they are best practices we’ve developed through working with large, global companies and have tailored to fit our processes. Beyond ISO certifications, quality management frameworks, and electronics manufacturing standards, there are no widely codified norms specific to our service area.
Our priority is to ensure that the intellectual value we create for our clients remains useful to them—even if they decide to continue working with a different partner in the future.
10. What competencies are included in this service?
- Three core areas: mechanics, electronics, software
- Current state analysis and reverse engineering
- Modernization: redesigning electronics/software
- Documenting the changes (why and what was changed)
- Providing editable files and a production package
- Supporting certification and testing
- Assistance in outsourced production (via our EMS partners)
- Delivering functional prototypes
- Providing 3D models before prototyping to check mechanical fit
11. What modernization services do we offer?
- PCB redesign
- Electronics redesign
- BOM optimization (Bill of Materials cost reduction)
- Mechanical redesign
- Connectivity retrofitting (e.g., NFC, LoRa, Bluetooth, WiFi, Cellular)
- UI redesign / accessibility improvement
- Porting firmware & libraries
- Software stack updating
- Bootloaders
A word from the founder
“Companies that have good products and survive for years — it’s not a question of if but when modernization will be needed. In industries like foodtech, critical infrastructure, or medtech, when a project enters restaurants, power plants, or hospitals, it must keep running until some kind of revolution happens.
For a business customer supplying hospitals, restaurants, or power plants, it’s important to keep in mind that modernization is inevitable — and it should be welcomed. Because it means their product has been on the market long enough and is so good that there is still demand for it.
Thanks to modernization, we can primarily save COGM — costs of goods manufactured — to increase profits but also to continue delivering value to customers.
I wish everyone to have the need for modernization — it’s not a matter of if but when, because good products will always require modernization.” – Janusz Skóra-Cichowski
If your product needs an update—whether it’s to lower production costs, meet new standards, or add new features—we’re here to help. You don’t have to start from scratch.
Contact us to see how we can modernize your product and make it ready for the future.