Q: Who are cThings?
A: cThings are an IoT solution provider specifically helping clients develop products and services using the Internet of Things. Drawing upon an experienced and highly versatile team from the Cambridge technology cluster, cThings is uniquely placed to design and deliver products to meet your needs. We offer a range of flexible solutions from rapid device prototyping through to fully managed end-to-end IoT systems.
Q: What is our expertise?
A: Our expertise includes; electronic design, software engineering, system architecture design and big data management. To facilitate rapid system delivery we utilise a range of in-house modular software and hardware. This enables us to efficiently deliver scalable solutions to our customers at a minimal cost. We have experience in the latest communication technologies, from IP based wired networks to low power radio deployments. This allows cThings to develop a solution specifically tailored to your needs.
Q: Do you have devices available off the shelf?
A: Yes we have a whole range of products available which we stock. These range from environmental sensors to complete building control systems. More details can be found on our devices page. Our devices range across many technologies and we will help you find the best product for your application.
Q: Can you design and manufacture products for us?
A: Yes we can. Our in house design team can design your device right from the ground-up. Our team has extensive experience in product development and will work with you to make sure the product meets all your requirements. Our team understands that for you it’s not the technology that is important but the application.
Q: How quickly can you develop my product
A: Our in house development team can rapidly design and prototype products. Past products have taken less than a week from initial enquiry to a final design, with the first production units being installed less than two weeks later.
Q: Will your devices work in my buildings?
A: Our devices are specifically designed to work both indoors and outside. We use a wide range of technologies ranging from LoRaWAN to cellular. We will always select the technology to best meet your application and environment.
Q: How do I configure and install your devices?
A: All our devices are added to our platform and fully provisioned before the commissioning process takes place. You can then easily configure and link the device to a location using our app.
Q: What sort of technology do your devices use?
A: The technology we use is always the best to suit the environment and the application. However, we have experience in many areas of technology such as the latest LPWAN technologies (LoRa, LoRaWAN, Sigfox and NB-IoT) as well as many traditional technologies such as Celluar, Zigbee, Bluetooth and Wifi.
Q: What sort of power do your devices need?
A: Our devices can be battery powered for simple installation and deployment or for mission-critical/instantaneous feedback can also be powered from a fixed power supply.
Q: Do you operate your own Network?
A: Yes we operate or utilise a number of existing networks keeping your costs down. We currently have our own LoRaWAN network which we have extended for a number of our customers to cover previously unsupported areas.
Q: Can your devices work on other LPWAN Networks?
A: Our devices can be provisioned to work on a range of third party networks. We are more than happy to support you deploying your devices on other networks and integrating the data through to our services and platforms if you so wish.
Q: Can you supply Sim cards and data packages?
A: Yes we can provide sims and a range of data packages. Whether it’s to provide backhaul for data or for individual devices we can provide a plan which meets your needs.
Q: What is the cThings Cloud Platform?
A: The cThings Cloud Platform consists of a number of composite components allowing you to monitor and manage key factors to your operation in a single location. All the data from your devices can be viewed online via our web/mobile app or retrieved via our secure API. The Cloud allows you to instantaneously interact with your devices and assets in real-time and see the results of these changes straight away. The platform can also undertake machine learning and big data analytics on your data to provide trend analysis as well as real-time alarming.
Q: What can I see on the cThings Portal?
A: The cThings Portal is our online visualisation tool which can be viewed as an app or as a fully responsive web portal. The Portal provides a complete view of your devices; data collection status, key analytics, alarms and graphs. The portal can be linked to groups, properties and locations to allow you to report against devices, readings, statuses and properties via our highly powerful and visual reporting engine.
Each view of the portal can be customised to the device, location and use case meaning the portal delivers deep key insights.
Q: Can I see all my device data and devices in a single place?
A: Yes all your devices whether purchased through cThings or other 3rd parties can be integrated into our platform. Allowing for historic devices to be moved across into a single platform and allowing for cross-comparison and integration of all your devices and assets.
Q: Can you manage our devices and network for us?
A: We have a range of different levels of support depending on your needs. We can provide our management tools for you and your team to manage everything from a single platform. Alternatively we can provide support or can manage your solution end to end.
Q: Can you undertake the installation of devices?
A: We have a range of national and international installation teams who can assist you with any installation needs. They can help you with everything from project management, physical installation to RAMS and risk assessments. Please get in touch to learn more.