Manufacturing

Well defined processes, statistical process controls, effective tools and fixtures, highly trained employees and an evolving and dynamic corporate culture are all hallmarks of the FocusMicro manufacturing environment. FocusMicro has invested heavily in our Manufacturing organization to insure that every product and system that is produced will not only function perfectly when it arrives at the customer's site, but that it will also deliver years of reliable service.

The foundation of FocusMicro's Manufacturing division is an embedded philosophy of Total Quality Management (TQM). TQM is a structured system that joins technology with business goals, while providing for an environment that fosters continuous improvement, technological breakthroughs and employee growth and autonomy.

TQM encourages a continuous cycle of growth and change, while embracing the concepts of internal as well as external customers. With every employee acting in the role of an internal customer, structured and immediate feedback is given to their supplier, initiating the cycle of improvement.

TQM seeks to lower costs, improve processes, reduce defects, shorten delivery times and most importantly, improve morale. The overall result of these efforts is better communications both internally and externally, greater scheduling flexibility within our processes and a continuously improving level of customer satisfaction.

Statistical Process Controls (SPC) are used liberally throughout the manufacturing process to measure anomalies and prevent problems from escaping detection. How do we know at which points to implement these tools? The employees themselves determine where and how SPC points are implemented, insuring that the most knowledgeable people about the processes are the ones measuring the production quality.

SPC uses mathematical and analytical tools to review and measure key criteria on a sampling basis. Sample rates are determined by process point experience levels and employee recommendations. The net result is a fast moving production facility that carefully monitors its own activities, while delivering nearly flawless and extremely reliable products to FocusMicro's external customers.

All of the FocusMicro branded Digital Video Servers are not only designed by our Research & Development team, but they are also manufactured at our corporate campus as well. Extremely complex and powerful, yet compact in size and boasting an industry leading performance level and feature set, FocusMicro's Digital Video Servers are at the heart of the finest surveillance solutions in the world today.

Every FocusMicro Digital Video Server is assembled by highly trained technicians with experience in the unique requirements and specifications of digital video technology. Each server is custom configured in Manufacturing to the exact specifications requested by the customer in their Security Criteria.

Servers are then powered up in a fully loaded configuration and run for a minimum of 7 days. Special software designed to continuously exercise the servers is run for the entire 'burn-in' period. Multiple validation and performance tests are conducted during burn-in to insure the systems' integrity. Detailed records are kept on each individual Digital Video Server that documents all aspects of its performance.

After successfully completing the burn-in process, the servers are put through a final inspection that verifies the configuration against the sales order, and verifies the software settings against the customer's Security Criteria. The completed Digital Video Servers are then moved into Shipping for packaging and crating in preparation for transport to customers' sites.

FocusMicro utilizes equipment and systems manufactured by our strategic partners that we install, maintain and repair for customers. Additionally, as part of our product neutral policy, we also acquire security systems from other manufacturers as directed by our customers to support their security needs.

Systems and subsystems that are not manufactured by FocusMicro are powered up and have a full set of diagnostic tests run. If a system is to be part of an integrated security solution, then the systems are connected and configured to insure that communication between the various components meets specifications.

Systems are also left in 'burn-in' for a period of 48 hours. A complete history of all activities is kept on each component, and the results of all testing and burn-in is monitored by FocusMicro's SPC systems.