The embedded
industrial computer
market
Our primary
market consists of OEMs
who embed computers in
military & space
applications,
transportation, control,
security and energy
systems; and data
acquisition. Our rugged
computers are uniquely
designed to withstand
wide temperature ranges
and shock and vibration.
Because Octagon
computers are smaller
than most other
industrial PCs, they can
be used in many
applications not served
by the traditional
market.
Product
Longevity
For 27 years
Octagon has designed
product longevity into
its embedded products.
Our design philosophy
includes:
-
Multiple–source
components selected
in our initial
design reviews for
multiple–source
availability;
-
an on–line,
cycle–life
management database
with electronic PCNs
(product change
notifications);
-
strategic
partnerships with
multiple vendors to
create optimal
component
allocations;
-
redesigns and
upgrade paths to
ensure that
replacement options
are available before
components are
obsolete.
Proof is
availability
Octagon's policy is to
make our products as
long as possible. They
currently build and
support products that
were introduced over 14
years ago. Custom and
semi–custom designs are
still being produced
that where implemented over
10 years ago.
End–of–life
In the event
that a critical
component is
discontinued by the
manufacturer, Octagon
will:
-
notify customers of
the end–of–life;
-
on a case–by–case
basis contract to
purchase and
maintain key items
in stock;
-
provide as possible
new replacement
designs and upgrade
options.
ENGINEERING
DESIGN & TEST FACILITIES
Octagon is an industry
leader in innovative
solutions for embedded
industrial PCs.
Computer aided
design (CAD) center
Octagon's CAD center
is equipped with the
latest design tools for
high–tech computer
development. Using an
advanced shape–based,
auto–routing system,
Octagon can route new
designs in a matter of
hours while minimizing
line lengths and
avoiding RF emissions
structures. Our circuit
board designs
incorporate processors
like the Intel(r)–compatible
X86 (from 386SX to PIII)
and MMX technologies, as
well as
industry–standard buses,
like the PCI, PC/104,
PC/104–Plus, and ISA
Buses.
This means the products
keep pace with today's
rapidly changing
technologies. Your
project will be securely
based for future
technological
developments as well as
the needs of your system
today.
Compatibility
testing
We want your
systems to operate in
the most demanding
environments. So, we
subject our computers to
rigorous tests with
industry–standard
operating systems, with
compatibility
diagnostics, and with
third–party
adapters/peripherals. We
do this before our
computers go into
production. We prove
compatibility before you
design in our computers.
In fact, we often
engineer third–party
alliances to provide
software and hardware
support from companies
like Fedora, Redhat,
Microsoft(r), Datalight
and Opto 22, that
simplify your system
development.
Electro–magnetic
compliance (EMC) test
center
One of the
fastest growing areas of
global regulatory
standards is
electro–magnetic
compliance, such as CE,
FCC, T†V, and VDE. Our
EMC center is outfitted
with state–of–the–art
EMC design, test, and
measurement tools. So,
we can test and scan our
products to prove they
meet acceptable levels
of electro–magnetic
interference and
immunity. In fact, we
even analyze our board
designs for potential
problems with various
EMC guidelines. This
means your system goes
to market in compliance
with the appropriate
standards.
Some of the standards
that
Octagon
screen for include:
-
FCC class A & B
emissions
-
CISPR 22 emissions
-
CE Mark emissions
(EN500081–2 1993)
-
CE Mark
susceptibility
(EN500082–2 1995)
-
EN55022 industrial
-
IEC–1000–4–x
immunity
Consistent and
reliable EMC
measurements
EMC measurements are
often distorted by
radiation from radio,
television and other
sources of RF energy.
Octagon guarantees the
accuracy of its EMC test
results with a device
called a GTEM Cell. This
RF anechoic chamber
measures radiation from
a computer and
susceptibility of the
computer to external
radiation. Octagon also
uses the most advanced
spectrum analysis and
instrumentation hardware
and software. The end
result is consistent and
reliable test data.
Immunity testing
As a pioneer in
designing computer
products for harsh
environments, we know
the importance of
immunity testing. We use
the latest signal
generation equipment to
simulate electrically
noisy environments where
incidental radiation
from sources such as
collapsing fields might
damage or alter the
circuitry of our boards.
We also can test
computer performance
under ESD, fast
transient and surge
conditions. This brutal
testing simulates the
real world where
reliability counts.
Printed test reports are
available to OEM
customers.
EMC
certification
Many
international standards
require a written report
of EMC test results. As
part of our EMC program,
a "report of
measurement" is created
that outlines the data
collection and
assessment process. We
then generate a summary
of the information. This
EMC Certificate of
Assessment is available
for your records as
well.
Environmental
stress screening
We know that
certain components tend
to be more susceptible
to failure under
environmental stress
than others. So, we test
the product life of our
computers early in the
design phase to identify
and correct any "weak
links." The HALT (Highly
Accelerated Life Test)
verifies the operating
and destructive limits
of our computers.
The HASS (Highly
Accelerated Stress
Screening) test is
similar to the HALT test
but occurs at the
manufacturing stage. We
burn–in our computers,
and then statistically
sample and subject them
to HASS testing to
reveal any latent
defects. This means
manufacturing problems
show up in our
laboratory, not in your
field operation. The
computer we ship to you
is one you can count on.
HALT testing subjects
our computers to
temperature and
vibration stresses well
beyond the range of
conditions that we
design them to endure.
So, when we say our
computers operate over a
broad temperature range
of –40ˇ to 85ˇ C, and in
5g vibration and 40g
shock, we can stake our
reputation on it. And,
you can bet that your
embedded system will
operate time after time,
just as you designed it.
A summary of these test
results is available for
both your company
records and your
customers.
ON-SITE MANUFACTURING
FACILITIES
MADE IN U.S.A.
MEANS WE ALL SPEAK THE
SAME "QUALITY" LANGUAGE
Because we
design, manufacture, and
test on–site in
Colorado, we have a
"closed loop." That
means the design
engineer is on the
production line.
Problems or issues can
be resolved in minutes,
not in days or weeks.
The design engineer and
the production team work
hand–in–hand,
communicating quickly
without
misinterpretation or
cultural or process gaps
that can occur when
production and
engineering are isolated
from each other.
ON–TIME DELIVERY
98.4% Y–T–D
Our Design For
Manufacturing (DFM)
program means higher
production yields at
lower costs with shorter
cycle times. From the
first gleam in the
design engineer's eye
through a product
release, Octagon's
production team
influences our board
designs. That means
on–time delivery, all
the time.
WE PUT YOU CLOSE
TO THE DESIGNER TO
RESOLVE ISSUES QUICKLY
Our application
engineers, who answer
your service call, work
side–by–side with the
production team and the
engineers who design our
products. If you call
for assistance, our
application engineers
can walk right on to our
production floor and get
you answers fast. They
are just steps away from
the engineer who
designed your board.
BUILT–IN
RELIABILITY VIA AN
ISO–CERTIFIED QUALITY
SYSTEM
Octagon's
quality system is
certified to the
ISO–9001: 2008 standard.
Octagon was the first
embedded computer
company to achieve
ISO–9000 certification
in 1993. We track our
quality through all our
processes and post the
results for customers to
inspect on plant visits.
Each CPU card has a
proven history, and our
tests are certified and
signed by the technician
who performed the test.
A certificate copy is
shipped with each
product.
PC–CERTIFIED,
EXPERIENCED PRODUCTION
STAFF
Our test
technicians bring a
honed skill set and a
deep pool of knowledge
to our processes. Our
process operators have
at least seven years, or
more, of industry
experience. Octagon
complies with IPC
standards, and our
production staff are
trained and certified to
IPC–610B. Our entire
production team is
committed to Octagon's
long–term success.
EVERY CUSTOMER
IS A "BIG" CUSTOMER
Whether you
order one or 100 cards,
you get the same
priority. Our employees
are rewarded for
shipping on–time for
each line item,
irrespective of
quantity. The same
effort applies to our
RMA processes. Our
average time to repair
goal is 16 days, and
we've beaten that
year–to–date.
BUILDING FOR THE
FUTURE
We are building
a "borderless" company.
Our processes are
designed to flow like a
stream through various
departments–from the
marketing specification,
to the circuit design,
to CAD layout, to
validation, to
production, to test and
burn–in, to your
doorstep. That means you
always get the quality
you expect, the answers
you need, the service
you want.
ISO QUALITY MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS
ISO 9001:2008
Octagon is an
industry leader in
innovative solutions for
embedded industrial PCs.
Octagon's
quality policy
Octagon Systems
is dedicated to
Simplifying Technology.
Quality, Integrity,
Ownership, Flexibility
and Continuous
Improvement are at the
heart of our
operations.
We are committed to
meeting our customer’s
requirements for High
Quality Products,
Superior Service and
Excellent Value.
ISO guarantees
our customers continual
improvement
ISO focuses on
the effectiveness of the
"quality management
system" in meeting
customer needs and
requirements. The
standard aims at
enhancing customer
satisfaction through
effective company
processes and systems
and through continual
improvement of those
processes.
ISO audits occur
twice a year
Octagon is
audited every six months
by an independent
registrar, and we are
re–certified at those
intervals if we pass the
audit. We have passed
every audit since 1993.
Our commitment
to customers
Employees at
every level are
responsible for the
quality system.
Employees document their
work processes and
strive to make each
process more efficient
and cost–effective.
Managers ensure
employees have the
resources and support to
analyze and improve
company systems. Our
managers review our
entire quality
management system once a
year. We pass on the
improvements and
cost–savings to our
customers in better
products, better
service, and better
delivery times. Our
on–time delivery is
98.4% y–t–d.
