Our FAQs.

With a clear view of “success” from the commercial strategy, we next explore all the potential ways to deliver the success. In this we focus only on the elements of the solution that can deliver long term competitive advantage - ensuring innovative and efficient use of technology. This can involve cross-sector searching and creative integration of existing solutions. If necessary we can do principle creation and concept development. We do not restrict ourselves in this process and will hunt the world for ideas and technology that we can craft or evolve to novel solutions.

Talk to us. We've a lot of experience bringing new products to market successfully. The length of our experience, depth of our talent pool and extensive networks across industry and academia, mean we know of a lot of possibilities and technologies which the wider public aren't necessarily aware of. No conversation is wasted - give us a call.

Market understanding is the insight gathered into a given target market by a would-be product owner. This includes understanding the part the product will play in the market and how the market will respond to it. From this we can conclude whether a product will be commercially viable or not.

Having clarity on the commercial goals which you and your product are setting out to achieve is vital. It informs every part of the project, and by keeping focus on it, we generate project drumbeat which keeps up momentum from start through to delivery.

Yes. Within reason. Our multi-disciplinary team has a broad range of design capabilities which can be deployed in any new product introduction process.

In short we start with the problem. By properly understanding the problem you want to solve, we can decide what data we need to collect and what we need to do with that data to translate it into a solution for your problem. Once we know this, then we can decide which digital technologies we need to apply.

Our product design services are part of our wider offer. Our OEDM business model means that we work all the way from design, through prototype to volume manufacture of our customers' products.

Traditionally product design and manufacture are delivered as separate processes by different organisations. This is risky as there is generally little or no dialogue between them. Nobody has shared ownership of the product's success. Our OEDM model brings both under one roof, removing risk and making the whole process quicker and more efficient.

Truly disruptive innovation enables a new product to completely change the marketplace it is in. A good example of this is Ocado's Smart Grid.

The minimum viable launch product (MVLP) identifies the minimum requirements a product needs to be realisable and commercially viable.

A design verification plan or DVP is documentation compiled by design engineers during the product design process. It is where prototypes are validated for fit, form, function and compliance for the end products specific needs. All parts would be listed and tested to make sure the requirements are met. Once the requirements are met in the prototyping stage, the product will be ready for the manufacturing process. At Tharsus, a design verification plan is standard practice in our OEDM or Value Added Manufacturing process.

Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computer based tools to assist in design activities. It is used by design engineers, to create precise and detailed conceptual diagrams of a product’s materials, processes and dimensions. These can either be 2D or 3D and rotated to be seen from any angle. At Tharsus, our product design team use CAD software when drawing products. This helps with rapid prototyping and to ensure the product will be DFM.

It varies from product to product depending on its complexity. It's something we build into our thinking and envision with customers at an early stage in the development process.

The Strategic Machines we create for our customers have to be exceptionally competitive. One you disrupt a market, then you’ve got to stay disruptive to keep your advantage. And that means constantly improving and evolving your Strategic Machine to stay ahead. And constant change would cause traditional manufacturing processes to fall over. So this is where Agile Manufacturing comes in. Effectively it’s a methodology entirely geared to delivering changing customer and product needs quickly, while maintaining a very high standard of quality and cost control. The key enabler of Agile Manufacture is specialist support technology which allows everybody involved in the production process to share a common database of parts and data on production capabilities. Our own Value Added Manufacturing is Agile.

It's an important part of the manufacturing process. Essentially at each predefined stage of it, the product must be successfully tested to exacting standards before it passes to the next one.

A navigator is a Tharsus partner to the customer through every step of the process from initial idea to volume manufacture. Navigators ensure the customer has a high level ‘helicopter’ view of the project, as well as a detailed grasp of the finer details.

Not necessarily. Every product is different and our team approach each according to its individual needs and the goals it seeks to achieve.

There are lots of ways this can work. So let’s take a simple example. Digital technology can gather data from a machine in operation via sensors, optimise the efficiency of this operation via algorithms or both.

Product development is a challenging process. Your navigator will work with you to avoid the pitfalls and to help you to make the best decisions for your product to ensure commercial success for you and it.

Big data analytics refers to the collection and use of large and complex data sets. The specific and relevant data is gathered into a number of machine learning algorithms to be utilised by businesses to make informed decisions and set strategic goals. During the Covid pandemic, Tharsus created Bump, a social distancing system for use in workplaces to help colleagues keep socially distanced. Bump used big data analytics to link all wearers to their personal Bump device, use hubs to capture all the wearers data and perform multiple analytics processes, such as wearer bump incidents, duration of bumps with another wearer, report on the network of bumps between wearers. The output of this was accurate contact tracing within a controlled environment, such as an office, workplace or sporting event, allowing admins to see who was most at risk in the event of a wearer testing positive.

Data modelling helps the Digital Technologies team to simulate hardware solutions using software and digital tooling. It is used to help us with rapid prototyping.

To give you a typical example. We'd gather motion data using IoT devices from shop floor employees. This feeds into machine learning algorithms to drive improvements in productivity, and the work environment. We can use this previously unseen insight to help a customer optimise the way they work, making substantial cost savings for them.

Data Scientists build platforms which analyse raw input data then automate useful or informative outputs to our data analysts and customers.

Automation is the application of technology to perform a process or procedure with minimal human assistance. The word was inspired by an earlier word, automatic, meaning a process working by itself, without conscious thought or attention. Automated processes are found everywhere and within everyday life. Automated scheduling is a common process to carry out next tasks after another has taken place. For example most central heating can be run on an automated schedule, setting up automated payments and money transfers with banking, and scheduling wake up alarms, to name a few. All of these use technology to run the automated system but many automated events are run without modern technology. Automation in manufacturing refers to the assistance of automation processes in tasks. At Tharsus, automation is used in many of our systems and processes, as well as incorporating automation technology into our customers Strategic Machine through out a range of industries investing in UK robotics and technology, helping to increase efficiency and ultimately reduce costs. Some types of manufacturing automation: Fixed automation - single part, large volume production, with one set task Programmable automation - batch production, ability to produce varied parts Flexible automation - real time production, system controlled by programming At Tharsus, we use automation technology when designing and manufacturing the parts for strategic machines for our customers. Our manufacturing operators follow automated processes to make sure the build of strategic machines are to the highest, and of the same, quality. Our Digital technology use programmable automation in machine software development. This helps to run rapid prototyping and testing, as well as automating robots, making our strategic machines actually strategic.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning (the acquisition of information and rules for using the information), reasoning (using data driven rules to reach approximate or definite conclusions) and self-correction. Artificial intelligence is used in technology systems people use in everyday life, such as grammar correction or next word predicting when writing messages or emails, facial recognition in smartphones, feed personalization on social media. The list goes on. At Tharsus, our Digital Technology team use a range of digital tools in their processes when programming software for strategic machines, including machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Machine learning uses data analysis to automate analytical model building. Similar to Artificial Intelligence, machines collect and use data to identify patterns and make data driven decisions. Machine learning is seen all around us, in everyday life. It is used to personalise content in based on your preferences, such as on your Social Media feed, Spotify and online advertisements. It is used by personal virtual assistants and online maps, and helps to filter emails. These are all based on consumer preferences.

OEDM or Original Equipment Design and Manufacture is our unique model through which we both design and manufacture products for customers under one roof using one extended multi disciplinary team. This is much less risky and far more efficient than the traditional model of new product development, where the individual elements of the design and manufacture process are handled by separate organisations who by definition don't have a shared interest in your product's success.

The Key encapsulates the way we work. It is the process Tharsus takes to navigate our customers from initial idea to scale manufacture and commercial success.

The Sharkfin is a representation of how customers, suppliers and everyone in Tharsus come together and work as one cohesive unit to deliver a successful product. It allows everybody to understand who precisely is involved from each side during every stage.

Commercial partners ensure products, systems and services will be commercially viable. As a commercial partner, a key part of Tharsus' role is working with our customers to ensure from the outset their strategic machine will be commercially viable and bring advantage back to them. This comes from our vast experience in new product introduction and innovation expertise. Our projects team work collaboratively with our customers to help them navigate the pitfalls of new product introduction, working with them to ensure design and manufacturing specifications bring them the robotic product or system that would achieve their goals. This continues throughout the product development cycle and into manufacturing. At every stage we ensure the costs stack up against the projected commercial returns of the finished product.

Essentially, OTIF measures the percentage of orders that are shipped on time in full, meaning the customer gets everything they ordered, on the day they expected to receive it. It is an important KPI in assessing supply chain and logistic effectiveness.

Here at Tharsus we’ve developed our own approach to quality. We call it the Tharsus Management System or TMS. Our TMS is uniquely designed to manage, maintain and refine our business strategy, execution, processes, controls and performance to deliver our products and services with a consistent level of excellence. Unlike a conventional system, TMS governs all of our activities within the product development strategy, rather than some of them. It’s embedded in our culture and aligned to our business strategy. It isn’t something we refer to. It’s in everything we do. It brings our DNA to life – essentially what makes Tharsus, Tharsus, and rolls this into everything we do for our customers and how we do it.

Cost depends on anything from the size of the project and the level of complexity involved to the time scales and the number of people required to find a solution for your identified objectives. Once we begin discussions and understand more about what you want to achieve, we can assess the requirements of your individual project and give you an estimate of costs involved.

Intellectual Property or IP is something which is generated by creativity. In our customers' case it is a technological solution created to deliver their idea successfully. Because our customers have the initial idea we feel that they should retain all IP rights in the solution.

At Tharsus we have two-way market exclusivity with our customers. This means we will not make anything that will directly compete with their product and they own all the IP in it. In return, we will be its sole manufacturer. The benefit of this approach is we work together towards a shared goal - a commercially successful product.

A business like Tharsus needs a very broad cross sector talent pool to deliver our unique offer to our customers. From engineers to data analysts, manufacturers to accountants, admin staff to HR. If you think you can contribute to our success, we'd like to hear from you.

Timing in the recruitment process depends on the type of vacancy we are recruiting for. Our recruitment team will explain timescales for the specific role you're applying for at the start of your conversation with them.

We’re always on the look out for talented people to join the team. We pride ourselves in offering unrivalled training and development opportunities which will give you the best start to your career. You can find out more and content a member of our HR team via our careers page

Life at Tharsus gives you lots of scope to progress and develop your skills. But there's so much more. Our employee committee is dedicated in making Tharsus a great place to work. Here's a few things we offer our people: Cycle to work scheme Lift share scheme 25 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays PLUS you don't have to work on your birthday Annual leave purchase scheme Team and family days out