Free e-book: IEEE 802.15.4ab vs IEEE 802.15.4z
Free e-book: IEEE 802.15.4ab

Certification, run by the people who help write the standards.

needCode takes wireless products through FiRa, CCC, and Bluetooth SIG qualification - pre-certification testing, compliance documentation, and certification program management. As active contributors to FiRa, the UWB Alliance, and the Bluetooth SIG who automated Bluetooth qualification from weeks of manual testing to an overnight job, we de-risk the stage where products stall before launch.
needCode IoT

We work with Industry Leaders

Certification is where finished products miss their launch date.

A product can be done and still not shippable - because it hasn't passed FiRa, CCC, or Bluetooth SIG qualification, and a failed first attempt means re-testing, re-work, and a slipped launch. The cost isn't the certificate; it's the schedule risk of finding a compliance problem at the very end.

The way to de-risk it is to involve people who know the spec intimately and have made the testing fast. needCode contributes to FiRa, the UWB Alliance, and the Bluetooth SIG, and automated the Bluetooth PTS process from weeks to an overnight job. We run certification as a managed, de-risked stage - not an end-of-programme scramble.

Standards authors

Active in FiRa, the UWB Alliance, and the Bluetooth SIG - certification by people who help write the rules.

Qualification, automated

Bluetooth PTS taken from weeks of manual testing to an overnight run.

De-risked, not deferred

Pre-cert testing early, so compliance problems surface before the launch date, not on it.

What we handle

Certification is four pieces of work. needCode runs all four as one managed stage.

Pre-Certification Testing

Testing against the spec early and throughout development, so compliance failures are found and fixed before formal certification rather than on the way to launch. It's the cheapest place to catch a problem, and the step that keeps the certification date predictable.

Bluetooth SIG Qualification

Full Bluetooth SIG qualification, with the PTS test process automated from weeks of manual work to an overnight job. needCode knows the spec from the inside, so qualification runs as a managed stage rather than an end-of-programme scramble.

FiRa & CCC Certification

UWB FiRa and Car Connectivity Consortium certification for digital-key and ranging products, run by an active FiRa and UWB Alliance contributor. The product is built and tested to the spec by people shaping it, which is what carries it through cleanly.

Compliance Docs & Program Management

The compliance documentation and program management that carry a product through certification without stalling. One accountable owner for the stage, instead of a product team juggling labs, paperwork, and deadlines.

Certification on the critical path?

Book a discovery call with our CEO

Across the protocols and use cases

The same certification capability covers UWB and BLE, for any product that has to be certified to ship.

UWB (FiRa / CCC)

Digital-key and ranging certification to FiRa and CCC - the compliance a UWB access or positioning product needs to ship. needCode handles it as the team that also builds the UWB SDK beneath it.

BLE (Bluetooth SIG)

Bluetooth SIG qualification for any BLE product, mesh included, with the PTS testing automated. The same team that writes the firmware takes it through qualification, so nothing is lost in handoff.

Mesh (certified)

Certification for BLE Mesh products, from the team that delivered the world's first certified BLE Mesh stack. There's no harder mesh-certification case, and needCode has already passed it.

Across the ICP

Automotive digital key, IoT devices, and any wireless product that has to be certified before it can ship. needCode brings the same standards-inside knowledge wherever compliance is on the critical path.

Why teams certify with needCode

We help write the standards

needCode contributes to FiRa, the UWB Alliance, and the Bluetooth SIG - so certification is run by people who know the spec from the inside, not from a PDF. That inside knowledge is what turns the ambiguous corners of a spec from a failure risk into a solved detail.

We automated qualification

needCode took the Bluetooth PTS process from weeks of manual testing to an overnight job, so certification stops being a schedule risk and becomes a predictable stage. Speed here comes from engineering the testing, not cutting corners on it.

The world's first certified BLE Mesh stack

needCode has taken a genuinely first-of-its-kind product through certification - the world's first certified BLE Mesh stack - where there was no prior path to follow. That's the hardest version of certification, and proof it can be done at the frontier, not just for routine products.

Managed end to end

Pre-cert testing, the formal qualification, compliance documentation, and program management run as one de-risked stage with a single owner. A product team gets a clear path to a certificate instead of coordinating labs and paperwork itself.

Four ways to bring needCode in

From a readiness audit to ongoing re-certification. We match the engagement to where the product is.

01

Certification Readiness Audit

  • Duration:
    2-4 weeks
  • Best for:
    Assessing where a product stands against the target certification
  • Deliverable:
    Gap analysis, certification plan, leadership readout

02

RTLS Design & Build

  • Duration: 
    Phased
  • Best for:
    Testing against the spec and fixing issues before formal submission
  • Deliverable:
    Pre-cert results and fixes

03

Deployment & Scale-Up

  • Duration: 
    Managed
  • Best for:
    Running the FiRa / CCC / SIG certification end to end
  • Deliverable:
    Certified product and documentation

04

Long-Term Partnership

  • Duration: 
    Retainer
  • Best for:
    Re-certifying across releases and spec updates
  • Deliverable:
    Maintained compliance

What we ship on

Standards, testing, and documentation across UWB and BLE.

Standards

FiRa
CCC Digital Key 3.0 / 4.0
Bluetooth SIG
BLE 6.0
IEEE 802.15.4z / 4ab

Testing

Automated Bluetooth PTS
hardware-in-the-loop
RF test
UWB Protocol Sniffer

Deliverables

Pre-cert reports
compliance documentation
certification program management

Case studies

The proof for a certification service is standards membership and a track record of passes.

Qorvo: RF Leadership

Context: Rapid scaling for new chipset bring-up.
  • Scale: Grew from <10 to 30 FTEs.
  • Output: Supported bring-up of 9 new hardware platforms (SDKs, Drivers, Stacks).
  • Retention: Zero-churn core team retained for 5+ years.
Dedicated Development Center for RF Solutions
Bluetooth Mesh Smart Lighting Control System

Smart Lighting: Core R&D Extension

Context: Client needed deep, specialized expertise to pivot from proprietary tech to a new global standard.
  • Service: Deployed a dedicated squad of embedded engineers to function as the client's core R&D team.
  • Output: Co-authored official Bluetooth SIG protocols and delivered the world’s first certified BLE Mesh stack.
  • Value: Enabled the client to secure Series A funding and defined the industry standard for smart buildings.

Creative Werks: Innovation rescue

Context: Hardware obsolescence threatened production shutdown.
  • Action: Full-stack takeover (PCB redesign + Firmware + Mobile App).
  • ROI: 1230% ($1.6M value generated).
  • Speed: Payback period of 2-3 months.
NeedCode-case study - IoT Solution for Boat Lift Modernization - cover2s
needcode-powerpolen-case-study-cover2s

PowerPollen: AgTech automation

Context: Lack of internal expertise stalled a critical automation project.
  • Action: Re-architected system using unified MCU and ISOBUS standards.
  • ROI: 13.8x ($2.9M value generated).
  • Impact: Enabled $1.9M increase in harvester value.

Strategic Partnership

needCode is an official business partner of Qorvo, bringing over 8 years of proven expertise and trusted service to the technology sector.
qorvo-logo-banner
UWB-Alliance-logo-banner

Members of the UWB Alliance

In 2025 we became a member of the UWB Alliance. This strategic step reinforces our commitment to pioneering Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology.

Proudly Certified for Excellence and Security

needCode is officially certified for:
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 – Information Security
ISO certifications reflect our focus on delivering reliable IoT solutions, smart product development, and secure technology services.
ISO 9001_2015ISO - IEC 27001_2022

Testimonials

“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
Bob Folkestad
President at Creative Werks
“One aspect that truly sets needCode apart is its profound expertise in firmware development. Their proficiency in various programming languages, embedded systems and hardware architecture is truly impressive. When faced with difficult problems, their strong problem-solving skills and analytical mindset shine through, allowing them to overcome obstacles with remarkable ease.”
avatar Semeh Sarhan
Semeh Sarhan
CEO at Xtrava
“I worked with needCode while leading the NWTN-Berlin team in 2018. A big chunk for our FW development has been outsourced to them and they had proven to iterate very quickly, following specs and deliver on time. It was great working with them. I recommend working with needCode’s team on any Embedded SW development.”
avatar Marco Salvioli Mariani
Marco Salvioli Mariani
CTO at NWTN Berlin GmbH
“needCode Team proved to be one of the best engineers I have ever met. The part I like the most about the team is the more difficult an obstacle seems to be, the more motivated they were to find a solution and a way forward.”
A Testimonial picture
Szymon Słupik
CTO at Silvair
“needCode is an outstanding partner. Their quick follow-up, scalability, and extensive professional network set them apart. Their expertise in wireless technologies has been valuable, supporting us from low-level drivers to architecture discussions.”
avatar Tim Allemeersch
Tim Allemeersch
Director at Qorvo, Inc.
“needCode did a great job improving the firmware of the Vai Kai connected toys and developing new features, surpassing our expectations multiple times. I would definitely recommend hiring Bartek and needCode for the embedded software projects!”
avatar Matas Petrikas
Matas Petrikas
CEO & Co-founder
at Vai Kai UG

Insights

FAQ

Yes - needCode runs full Bluetooth SIG qualification and has automated the PTS testing process, taking it from weeks of manual work to an overnight job. As Bluetooth SIG contributors, needCode knows the spec from the inside. Qualification is treated as a managed, de-risked stage rather than an end-of-programme scramble.

Yes - needCode supports FiRa and Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) certification for UWB digital-key and ranging products, as an active FiRa and UWB Alliance contributor. That involvement means the product is built and tested to the spec by people shaping it. It covers both the pre-cert work and the certification itself.

Pre-certification testing checks a product against the spec early and throughout development, so compliance failures are found and fixed before formal certification rather than on the critical path to launch. It matters because a failed first attempt means re-testing, re-work, and a slipped date. It is the single most effective way to de-risk certification.

Yes - needCode runs certification end to end: pre-cert testing, the formal qualification, compliance documentation, and program management. This gives a product team one accountable owner for the stage instead of juggling labs and paperwork. It can also continue as ongoing re-certification across releases.

needCode reduces both by combining deep standards knowledge with automated testing - knowing the spec from the inside, testing early, and running qualification like Bluetooth PTS overnight instead of over weeks. The result is fewer first-attempt failures and a predictable path to certification. Speed and correctness come from the same source.

Yes - needCode's team delivered the world's first certified BLE Mesh stack, taking a genuinely new product through certification and helping define the standard. That is exactly the hardest kind of certification, where there is no prior path to follow. It demonstrates certification capability at the frontier, not just for routine products.

needCode is an active contributor to FiRa, the UWB Alliance, and the Bluetooth SIG - the bodies behind UWB and BLE certification. Membership means authorship of the specs, not just compliance with them. It is what lets needCode certify products by people on the inside of the standards.

Yes - needCode can diagnose why a product failed FiRa, CCC, or Bluetooth qualification, fix the underlying issues, and take it back through to certification. A failed attempt is a common reason teams bring needCode in. Deep spec knowledge is what makes the second attempt succeed.

Let's work on your next project together

Book a demo and discovery call with our CEO
to get a look at:
Strategic Expertise
End-to-End Solutions
Advanced Technology
Custom Hardware Devices
Bartek Kling
Bartek Kling / CEO
© 2026 needCode. All rights reserved.

Manufacturing

Modern manufacturing machines are typically equipped with IoT sensors that capture performance data. AIoT technology analyzes this sensor data, and based on vibration patterns, the AI predicts the machine's behavior and recommends actions to maintain optimal performance. This approach is highly effective for predictive maintenance, promoting safer working environments, continuous operation, longer equipment lifespan, and less downtime. Additionally, AIoT enhances quality control on production lines.

For example, Sentinel, a monitoring system used in pharmaceutical production by IMA Pharma, employs AI to evaluate sensor data along the production line. The AI detects and improves underperforming components, ensuring efficient machine operation and maintaining high standards in drug manufacturing.

Logistics & supply chain

IoT devices - from fleet vehicles and autonomous warehouse robots to scanners and beacons - generate large amounts of data in this industry. When combined with AI, this data can be leveraged for tracking, analytics, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, and more, offering greater visibility into logistics operations and enhancing vendor partnerships.

Example: Amazon employs over 750,000 autonomous mobile robots to assist warehouse staff with heavy lifting, delivery, and package handling tasks. Other examples include AI-powered IoT devices such as cameras, RFID sensors, and beacons that help monitor goods' movement and track products within warehouses and during transportation. AI algorithms can also estimate arrival times and forecast delays by analyzing traffic conditions.

Retail

IoT sensors monitor movement and customer flow within a building, while AI algorithms analyze this data to offer insights into traffic patterns and product preferences. This information enhances understanding of customer behavior, helps prevent stockouts, and improves customer analytics to drive sales. Furthermore, AIoT enables retailers to deliver personalized shopping experiences by leveraging geographical data and individual shopping preferences.

For instance, IoT sensors track movement and customer flow, and AI algorithms process this information to reveal insights into traffic patterns and product preferences. This ultimately leads to better customer understanding, stockout prevention, and enhanced sales analytics.

Agriculture

Recent research by Continental reveals that over 27% of surveyed farmers utilize drones for aerial land analysis. These devices capture images of crops as they are and transmit them to a dashboard for further assessment. However, AI can enhance this process even further.

For example, AIoT-powered drones can photograph crops at various growth stages, assess plant health, detect diseases, and recommend optimal harvesting strategies to maximize yield. Additionally, these drones can be employed for targeted crop treatments, irrigation monitoring and management, soil health analysis, and more.

Smart Cities

Smart cities represent another domain where AIoT applications can enhance citizens' well-being, facilitate urban infrastructure planning, and guide future city development. In addition to traffic management, IoT devices equipped with AI can monitor energy consumption patterns, forecast demand fluctuations, and dynamically optimize energy distribution. AI-powered surveillance cameras and sensors can identify suspicious activities, monitor crowd density, and alert authorities to potential security threats in real-time, improving public safety and security.

For example, an AIoT solution has been implemented in Barcelona to manage water and energy sustainably. The city has installed IoT sensors across its water supply system to gather water pressure, flow rate, and quality data. AI algorithms analyze this information to identify leaks and optimize water usage. Similarly, smart grids have been introduced to leverage AI to predict demand and distribute energy efficiently, minimizing waste and emissions. As a result, these initiatives have enabled the city to reduce water waste by 25%, increase renewable energy usage by 17%, and lower greenhouse gas emissions by 19%.

Healthcare

Integrating AI and IoT in healthcare enables hospitals to deliver remote patient care more efficiently while reducing the burden on facilities. Additionally, AI can be used in clinical trials to preprocess data collected from sensors across extensive target and control groups.

For example, intelligent wearable technologies enable doctors to monitor patients remotely. In real-time, sensors collect vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels. AI algorithms then analyze this data, assisting doctors in detecting issues early, developing personalized treatment plans, and enhancing patient outcomes.

Smart Homes

The smart home ecosystem encompasses smart thermostats, locks, security cameras, energy management systems, heating, lighting, and entertainment systems. AI algorithms analyze data from these devices to deliver context-specific recommendations tailored to each user. This enables homeowners to use utilities more efficiently, create a personalized living space, and achieve sustainability goals.

For example, LifeSmart offers a comprehensive suite of AI-powered IoT tools for smart homes, connecting new and existing intelligent appliances and allowing customers to manage them via their smartphones. Additionally, they provide an AI builder framework for deploying AI on smart devices, edge gateways, and the cloud, enabling AI algorithms to process data and user behavior autonomously.

Maintenance (Post-Release Support)

When your product is successfully launched and available on the market we provide ongoing support and maintenance services to ensure your product remains competitive and reliable. This includes prompt resolution of any reported issues through bug fixes and updates.

We continuously enhance product features based on user feedback and market insights, optimizing performance and user experience.

Our team monitors product performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and proactively addresses potential issues. This phase aims to sustain product competitiveness, ensure customer satisfaction, and support long-term success in the market.

Commercialization (From MVP to Product

Our software team focuses on completing the full product feature range, enhancing the user interface and experience, and handling all corner cases. We prepare product software across the whole lifecycle by providing all necessary procedures, such as manufacturing support and firmware upgrade.

We also finalize the product's hardware design to ensure robustness, scalability and cost-effectiveness.

This includes rigorous testing procedures to validate product performance, reliability, and security. We manage all necessary certifications and regulatory compliance requirements to ensure the product meets industry standards and legal obligations.

By the end of this phase, your product is fully prepared for mass production and commercial deployment, with all documentation and certifications in place.

Prototyping (From POC to MVP)

Our development team focuses on implementing core product features and use cases to create a functional Minimum Viable Product (MVP). We advance to refining the hardware design, moving from initial concepts to detailed PCB design allowing us to assemble first prototypes. Updated documentation from the Design phase ensures alignment with current project status. A basic test framework is established to conduct preliminary validation tests.

This prepares the product for real-world demonstrations to stakeholders, customers, and potential investors.

This phase is critical for validating market readiness and functionality before proceeding to full-scale production.

Design (From Idea to POC)

We meticulously select the optimal technology stack and hardware components based on your smart product idea with detailed use cases and feature requirements (Market Requirements Document / Business Requirements Document). Our team conducts thorough assessments of costs, performance metrics, power consumption, and resource requirements.

Deliverables include a comprehensive Product Requirements Document (PRD), detailed Software Architecture plans, an Initial Test Plan outlining validation strategies, Regulatory Compliance Analysis to ensure adherence to relevant standards, and a Proof of Concept (POC) prototype implemented on breakout boards.

This phase aims to validate the technical feasibility of your concept and establish a solid foundation for further development.

If you lack a validated idea and MRD/BRD, consider utilizing our IoT Strategic Roadmap service to gain insights into target markets, user needs, and desired functionality. Having a structured plan in the form of an IoT Strategic Roadmap before development begins is crucial to mitigate complications in subsequent product development phases.