Granite's custom manufacturing guarantees the consistency of your computer solution.

Why?
In today's computer market, one of the greatest challenges is the maintenance of consistency. Almost daily, it seems, components are being made obsolete as newer technology emerges. Minimizing or eliminating the effects of the transient nature of the computer market has long been a demand from our customers - and has become a core competency of Granite Microsystems.

How?
Over many years of experience, we have developed a system to minimize many of the common issues associated with consistency of a build. Our Online Build Instructions� have matured to become a major asset to our customers. All documentation is specific to an individual machine, is revision controlled, and follows each machine through the entire process. Through these tools, Granite is able to ensure a level of consistency that was previously impossible.

We also have solid relationships with major manufacturers of high quality, state of the art components. We are insistent that these manufacturers supply us with lifecycle roadmaps and inform us of impending changes when they are necessitated by the marketplace or emerging technologies.

Granite can also help control change through creative stocking, partnering on last-time-buy issues, regimented RMA processes, and other customer-specific assistance catered to your needs.

Let us demonstrate what we can do for you.

Control at the component level:

Comprehensive Incoming Inspection procedures ensure incoming components are consistent

Guaranteed control of internal and customer-supplied products with sophisticated electronic inventory system

Last-time-buy ability for protected production

Product roadmaps allow advance end-of-life notification

Control at the solution level:

Complete revision control ensured throughout product life

All documentation is unique to build / revision

Instructions available for each step - supplemented by CAD drawings and photos where necessary

Each step is double-checked before further work is performed

Changes to Bill-of-Materials, instructions, or drawings are controlled through electronic security on our Intranet

Comprehensive testing criteria included in instructions - including a fully automated, customized software test script

Specialized test fixtures engineered for efficient customized testing at Granite's facility, onsite at the your facility, or both

[Back to top]

Steps we use to assure quality and consistency:
Gather Project Information
Customer gives a project overview, including component, performance, and certification requirements.

Project Review
Project information is taken to Project Review for approval. Sales and Engineering evaluate customer requirements and determine the best solution based on the specified criteria. Component longevity is a critical consideration when determining manufacturer and model.

Bill-of-Material / Prototype
Based on the decisions made in Project Review, a complete bill-of-materials is compiled for the customer to review. Once both parties are in agreement, a prototype unit is built for the customer to evaluate. Additional notes are added to the guide file, and photos may be taken.

Approval
When the customer accepts the prototype, a Prototype Approval Form will be sent to the customer for appropriate signature(s). The customer will return the form and list any modifications that should be made before building additional units. Upon receipt of the Prototype Approval Form, the bill-of-materials becomes a controlled document with limited access enforced through electronic security.

Online Build Instructions
Before building any additional units, our engineers gather all the information necessary for creating the Online Build Instructions. The guide is a set of detailed instructions for the customized assembly of the components for the new project. These instructions are supplemented by such things as AutoCAD drawings, digital photographs, and representative samples to truly capture the level of detail needed for exact duplication. To ensure consistency, customized inspection sheets are created and follow each unit through the entire production process. All guides are under strict revision control and located on our internal Intranet for easy, company-wide access.

Production Units
The initial production run utilizes the guide and is supervised by an Engineering department representative to ensure accuracy and clarity. All aspects of the guide are double-checked, from bills-of-material through shipping criteria.

[Back to top]