What is Digital Engineering?

It’s a big question and depending on where you sit, the answer will always change. Digital engineering encompassed a lot, and it could be argued is now becoming interweaved with the more traditional forms of engineering:

·   Mechanical

·   Manufacturing

·   Chemical

·   Electrical

·   Civil

·   Software

Ultimately, like all of the above, the output from the process is to solve a problem. Digital engineering solves a number of problems for individuals, organisations and companies. Examples could be:

Integrating and making more efficient, an organisations’ library of booking methods for say an event

Allowing a company to take payments online, and automatically introduce recurring monthly payments, with all required documentation signed electronically

Enabling an individual to integrate their online bank account with their budgeting app, or with their smart fridge for example

All of the above examples start with a problem that is to be solved, and through a mixture of digital solutions, engineer a process to solve that problem.

What has this got to do with Digital Installer?

I’m an engineer at heart, having studied Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at Queens University Belfast. With that engineering mindset, and learning later about the power of digital automation, it became clear that the mindset is so important for small and medium businesses, who normally go to small software or marketing houses for anything digital in nature. Although that is fine, for automation to truly work and drive massive efficiencies through your business, or new revenues, an engineering mindset is required which is based on:

·   Defining the problem properly to be solved

·   Identify the solutions already available to control costs

·   Identify and spec properly, any customer solutions that may be required

·   Process map the transactions your systems need to make

·   Map what bit needs to speak to who

·   Map the integrations required and test them rigorously

·   Future proof the build

·   Secure the application or website

·   Ensure the application or website performs and speaks in a language that fits your industry and users

·   Test, test and test performance

·   Ensure the usability and performance are measurable for reporting purposes

·   Ensure it answers the problem or question originally raised

Its through this mindset that we are able to develop websites and applications that look good, but more importantly perform well and solve the problem originally posed. For more information on ourselves, our values and our projects, please visit Digital Installer or email us at hello@digitalinstaller.co.uk

About the author

Ciarán Harkin studied a Masters in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, before moving into the aviation sector. From there he has led large scale, global operations in telecommunications, automotive and construction. He is former Managing Director of Qure Group Ltd, a company specialising in remedial solutions for the construction sector. He is a founding director of Digital Installer, launching the company following seeing the lack of digital transformation in some of the sectors he worked in.