$1,640,652 Total Delivered Value: Developing an integrated IoT Solution

Discover the blueprint for modernizing marine infrastructure, showcasing how our advanced IoT solutions enabled a seamless transition and secured market leadership.

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Executive Summary: IoT Solution for Boat Lift Modernization

Challenge:

Creative Werks, serving the marine infrastructure sector, faced a production halt due to obsolete legacy hardware in their boat lift controls. Their End-Client, a Marine Dock Equipment Manufacture, also required a modern, connected system – specifically, an IoT solution to boost automation.

Value Chain of parties involved in the project:

Solution:

We delivered a comprehensive IoT solution by redesigning the embedded software, creating a mobile app, and taking over hardware development due to Client-side issues. needCode managed the entire project lifecycle. This involved creating a tailored IoT solution for marine infrastructure needs.

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Business results:

ROI over 3 years

2-3 months

Payback Period

Total Delivered Value
over 3 years

Project results:

01 Successful delivery of a modular, future-proof & expandable architecture with scalability to different verticals.

02 Enhanced automation with seamless remote control via mobile app.

03 Strengthened partner relationships, leading to a second major engagement.

04 Efficient, cost-effective development, reducing potential technical debt.

“I think the key takeaway from needCode is their ability to adapt and understand the customer's requirements. That took away probably a large portion of what could have been a lot of development time and expense for both companies.”

Bob Folkestad

President at Creative Werks

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Background & Challenges in Modernizing Marine Infrastructure Control Systems

Creative Werks (our Partner) needed an advanced control system for their End-Client’s premium boat lifts, initially focusing on modernizing embedded software for compatibility with existing marine infrastructure. Challenges arose:

Total Hardware Circumstances: The original plan was for Creative Werks to handle the hardware in-house. However, resource shortages and internal resignations on the Partner side meant the hardware wasn’t getting done. This left the Marine Dock Equipment Manufacture in a difficult spot—without the necessary hardware, they couldn't proceed with production or meet customer demand. The delay threatened their ability to fulfill orders on time, resulting in potential revenue loss and damage to their reputation in a highly competitive market. At this point, needCode stepped in—not just as a software provider, but as a full-scale problem solver, taking complete ownership of the hardware design and production.
Limited Engineering Resources: Creative Werks struggled to recruit in-house hardware engineers due to high local competition from tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft.
Scope Expansion: The Marine Dock Equipment Manufacture saw the opportunity to add a mobile app and enhanced automation, significantly increasing project complexity.

Recognizing these hurdles, we stepped in to bridge the gap and ensure project success, not being afraid to confront the Partner with another idea for the Project— act as a full-stack Software Provider offering a partner’s approach.

Solution: Developing an Integrated IoT Solution

Phase 1: Modernizing Embedded Software for the IoT Solution

The new well-structured design that allows our Client to further expand possibilities and features:

Our team overhauled the system's embedded firmware, implementing a unified microcontroller architecture across all system components, reducing development redundancy and ensuring future scalability. The redesign introduced:

A single microcontroller family across the main controller, keypad, and remote control.
Optimized firmware for improved reliability and efficiency.
Future-proof hardware selection to guarantee long-term availability (10+ years lifespan).
Code-improvement and reduction of technical debt, allowing greater long-term elasticity.

Rather than simply rewriting the old code, we made it clear to Creative Werks that their existing approach needed to be completely phased in for a new system. While the previous solution had served its purpose, it had become outdated and was no longer sufficient to meet future demands. To ensure optimal performance, maintainability, and long-term viability, we recommend a complete rewrite to deliver a more robust and scalable solution.

"Never be afraid to propose a bold solution if you are sure it is the best one for Partner’s success."

Stanisław Halauko

Lead Embedded Software Engineer at needCode

Phase 2: Mobile App & IoT for Marine Infrastructure Functionality

To enhance the user experience and add new functionality, we developed a custom mobile application for remote control and monitoring, featuring:

Wireless connectivity: Users can operate the boat lift system from their smartphones.
Battery monitoring: The app provided real-time insights into system power levels, reducing support calls related to low-battery issues.
Scalability to different verticals, allowing for potential adaptation to other industries.

“Thanks to the trust our Partner placed in us, we were able to deliver a solution that maximized resource and time savings while avoiding unnecessary complexities. Our flexibility and comprehensive service offering ensured a streamlined process, ultimately reducing both stress and costs for Creative Werks.”

Bartek Kling

CEO at needCode

Phase 3: Hardware Takeover & System Integration

When Creative Werks faced setbacks with hardware production, we took ownership of the hardware design and prototyping process:

Designed and manufactured custom PCBs, ensuring seamless integration with the new software.
Delivered hardware prototypes within tight deadlines to avoid disrupting the Marine Dock Equipment Manufacture’s production schedule.
Implemented end-to-end testing with hardware-in-the-loop, ensuring flawless software and physical components integration.
We took a difficult situation and turned it around — our team stepped in and took complete control of hardware development.

“It was the quickest project that I’ve signed off on after the first demo. We spent about two hours on the demo, and there were only minor comments.”

Bob Folkestad

President at Creative Werks

Key Results & Business Impact of the Custom IoT Solution

The whole project resulted in $1,641,000 generated in just 3 years and additional value will be accumulated across the product lifecycle.

Total Value Delivered in USD:

Value Category

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Total

Controller price
increase:

-88,750

400,000

420,000

731,250

Comments:

Price increase significantly outpaced rising production, creating a substantial margin expansion.
Value accelerates in years 2-3 as market adoption increases.
Creates a foundation for future revenue growth beyond the 3-year timeframe.

Recruitment
& onboarding:

440,000

0 440,000

Comments:

Eliminated critical talent acquisition challenges in a competitive marke.
Avoided 5+ FTE recruitment and onboarding costs in specialized technical domains.
Bypassed lengthy hiring cycles that would have delayed market entry.

Outsourcing savings:

430,000

0 430,000

Comments:

Achieved U.S. senior-quality deliverables at significantly reduced costs.
Eliminated overhead associated with expanding internal teams.
Realized immediate cost advantages without a compromise to quality.

Long-term elasticity:

10,625

11,156

11,714

33,495

Comments:

Created future-proof architecture supporting rapid market adaptability.
Enables 50% faster response to changing customer requirements.
Ensures product longevity and relevance for 10+ years.

Technical debt elimination:

-31,250

18,125

$

5,906

Comments:

Mitigated critical operational risk through legacy code replacement.
Created a scalable foundation for future growth.
Reduced maintenance costs and system vulnerability.

Total Value Generated in 3 years:

760,625

429,281

450,745

1,640,651

Value calculated & approved by Valueships

Year 4 and onwards: the product was designed to ensure safe use for the next ~10 years of the product lifecycle. Each year of its life will bring on average additional $412k.

Total Value Delivered in USD:

01 Controller Price Increase → 731,250

Before needCode:

Selling price per controller: 150
Material cost per controller: 50
Profit per controller: 100

After needCode:

Selling price per controller: 300
Material cost per controller: 100
Profit per controller: 200

Value Calculation:

Additional profit per controller: 100
Annual production: 4,000 controllers
Annual additional profit: 400,000
3-Year Value: 731,250

02 Recruitment & Onboarding Savings → 440,000

Recruitment Costs:

Senior developer annual salary: 220,000
Recruitment cost rate: 15%
Cost per hire: 33,000
Number of FTEs saved: 5
Total recruitment savings: 165,000

Onboarding Costs:

Monthly cost per senior: 18,333
Onboarding period avoided: 1 month
Number of FTEs: 5
Total onboarding savings: 91,667

Hardware Development:

Additional delay avoided: 2 months
Monthly cost: 91,667
Total hardware savings: 183,333
Total Value: 165,000 + 91,667 + 183,333 = 440,000

03 Outsourcing Savings → 430,000

needCode Approach:

Project cost (0.5 year): 120,000

U.S.-Based Alternative:

Senior salary per year: 220,000
Half-year cost per developer: 110,000
Required FTEs: 5
Total alternative cost: 550,000

Value Calculation:

Direct savings from outsourcing: 550,000 - 120,000 = 430,000

04 Long-term Elasticity → 33,495

Before Implementation:

Time per adjustment: 120 hours
Hourly rate: 114.58
Cost per adjustment: 13,750

After Implementation:

Time per adjustment: 40 hours
Hourly rate: 78
Cost per adjustment: 3,125

Value Calculation:

Annual savings: 13,750 - 3,125 = 10,625
Year 1: 10,625
Year 2: 11,156
Year 3: 11,714
Total 3-Year Value: 33,495

05 Technical Debt Elimination → 5,906

Initial Investment:

Code rewrite hours: 400
Hourly rate: 78
Total investment: -31,250

Bug Fix Cost Comparison:

Before: 3 fixes × 80 hours × $114.58 = 27,499 annually
After: 3 fixes × 40 hours × $78 = 9,360 annually
Annual savings: 18,139

Value Calculation:

Year 1: -31,250 (investment)
Year 2: 18,125
Year 3: 19,031
Total 3-Year Value: 5,906

Unquantified Value Delivered

#1 Relationship Value

Secured a second major project with the Partner + expanded our scope.

On-Site Fun: When the team from our Partner flew in, it wasn’t just business — it was an experience. We made sure they had a great time, blending work and fun in a way that strengthened our partnership. Cracow, with its vibrant tech scene and vast historical significance, provided the perfect backdrop for our collaboration. The city’s unique combination of modern innovation and centuries-old culture made the experience even more memorable.

Further referrals by Creative Werks, highlighting trust and credibility.

“I think we can scale this project with the tech more, and I see a long-term relationship with needCode, not just a one-time project.”

Bob Folkestad

President at Creative Werks

#2 Technical Value

Device unification, eliminating redundant variations.
Shortened time-to-market due to optimized software & hardware integration.
Modular solutions of needCode can be transferred or cross-used in different industries, reinforcing value exchange within the ecosystem.
Lack of technical debt and scalability allowance.
Consulting-first approach: We told them outright — rewriting the existing code was not the optimal solution. Instead, we built everything from scratch to guarantee long-term success.

How it was vs how it is now after re-writing the code:

Final Thoughts

This case study demonstrates how technical expertise and a consultative approach successfully delivered a complex IoT solution for marine infrastructure, turning challenges into significant business advantages. If you need a partner for your IoT solution project, let's talk.

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