GreenHouse by ICS

A Smarter Way to Build Embedded Touch Devices

By Peter Winston

Successful touch devices appear deceptively simple to the user. In reality, they are highly complex and challenging to build because they require so many different skills. Each device requires custom hardware, touchscreen, operating system and web connectivity, as well as  custom software. Getting it right is the difference between winning or losing before you ever get to market. 

ICS has devised a smarter way to build embedded devices. In fact, it’s a sophisticated solution to a complex problem.

Built on the popular Qt framework, our rapid development toolkit eliminates much of the complexity associated with product development — delivering better results in substantially less time. How? We provide the elements that are common to all devices, allowing you to focus sharply on the things that make your device unique. Your team has the freedom to concentrate on creating features your customers most want without getting bogged down with software infrastructure.

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Overview:

  • Auto generates a touch UI with many common features

  • Creates pixel-perfect UI which flows directly from UX tools 

  • Provides early working prototype for market testing and stakeholder feedback 

  • Includes built-in device simulator for software and usability testing on target or non-target hardware

  • With each sprint, the working prototype evolves into finished product

  • Defines a clear API where device control and business logic can be injected, reducing project risk

  • Voice interface and mobile interface can be added easily

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Projects Move Swiftly from Concept to Working Prototype with Minimal Risk

Our rapid development toolkit creates a pixel-perfect user interface (UI) by flowing the UI directly from best-in-class user experience (UX) design tools like Figma. Initially, your device is simulated using tooling from our toolkit, and enhanced over time with custom plug-ins via agile and test-driven development. 

The result is profound: the prototype that works on your desktop moves seamlessly to your device. With each sprint, your working prototype running on target hardware evolves into a high-quality finished product.

Built on Standards

Your completed application is source code that will work on a wide range of platforms, including Intel and ARM, and it will run on most operating systems (Windows, Linux, QNX). It’s based upon open standards, such as C++, Qt and the Qt development tools. And it works with popular CI tools like Git and many others. 

Benefits Your Entire Team

Our rapid development approach forges stronger collaboration between product owners, UX designers, software engineers and QA specialists that results in a highly productive iterative, end-to-end development process. Read how it delivers benefits to each team member.

Takeaway

If you’re preparing to build a new embedded device or application and want to vastly improve your odds of success, consider our rapid development approach. Our customers who have used it have typically seen positive results on the order of 1/4 of the risk and 1/2 of the time as compared with traditional development methods.

Still have questions? Check out our webinar on-demand.