Sensoteq innovate their way to success

Pictured: Idir Boudaoud and Alan McCall. Founders and co-CEOs of Sensoteq, who followed a tried and tested methodology to achieve global success.

The key to successful innovation is following a tried and tested process.

Belfast-based company Sensoteq did exactly that when producing their range of machine monitoring equipment for materials handling, mining, and other industrial sectors.

Sensoteq uses wireless technology to develop sensors that attach to large machinery such as crushing and screening equipment. The sensors monitor and feedback real-time analysis on the efficiency and ’health’ of the machinery.

Customers can then access this information on their computer-based platform called Analytix and use it to identify potential faults or maintenance requirements.  This type of  'predictive maintenance’ means problems can be detected early enough for the machinery to be adjusted before it needs costly repairs or becomes unsafe to use.

Sensoteq CEO Idir Boudaoud told us how he and his team focused on what users of large machinery really considered to be problems or issues, as opposed to making assumptions, before beginning to search for a solution.

‘We had discussions with people from the manufacturing industry: managers, operators, engineers, to understand their issues, and what would make their life easier.’

Through this engagement, and with feedback from international trade shows, Idir discovered a global need for new products to facilitate predictive maintenance. Sensoteq then looked at their capability, and with their 20 plus years of knowledge and experience, used ideation techniques to come up with possible ways to meet this market need.

Having already identified a world-wide trend in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) – where industrial devices and computers are linked allowing for data collection and analysis -  they selected the idea of a wireless, cloud-enabled, condition monitoring sensor. 

Work began on developing this concept and turning it into something real using an Invest NI Innovation Voucher. The company says initial validation and feedback were a vital part of the process:

‘After some demo testing and acquiring some customer feedback across multiple regions including Europe and America, a cross-functional team of mechanical, hardware, software, and project management backgrounds was put together and development started, to bring the product to market. We travelled around key regions to promote it, test the market, and feed any customer feedback into design improvements.’

By following an innovation process Sensoteq identified specific demand, validated their concepts, and used valuable customer insights in the development process, Sensoteq has successfully launched its product range into both local and overseas markets.

Their follow-up work after visiting industry tradeshows allowed them to identify and secure international distributors in target markets like Canada, South America, and Europe. Idir believes an open and positive approach to innovation is an effective one:

‘Start with a wish list of what an ideal product should look like while removing any barriers and negativity that might slow innovation. Keeping a positive attitude with an ‘everything is possible’ mindset from concept to production. Test the market as early as possible, listen to customers, and feed it back to your design. Continued improvement is key to developing the best product and innovation in the market.’

In July 2020 Sensoteq received Gold Level status through the Innovate NI Innovation Accreditation Programme. This recognises that they researched and validated their idea, developed and tested it on the market, and successfully commercialised their new product.

Contact us for guidance on innovation techniques, tools and support, and possible sources of funding.