Our digitalisation solutions
We combine low-cost technologies to create solutions that provide an easy way to start digitalising company processes.
Embarking on the journey of digitalisation can be a daunting task for businesses, especially those operating on a tight budget. Shoestring recognises this challenge and has developed a framework for creating low-cost digital solutions that are modular, scalable and can be incrementally added to a company’s site.
Shoestring has released a range of ‘starter solutions’ that enable companies to see first-hand how digitalisation improves productivity and employees’ digital skills and confidence. These starter solutions are designed to be as simple as possible and can be deployed in an afternoon by a non-expert employee who is willing to give it a go.
Starter solutions
Job
location tracking
Improves productivity with real-time visibility of jobs on the shop floor.
Scrap
monitoring
Reduces waste with real-time visibility of the reasons why parts or products are scrapped.
Air quality
monitoring
Keeps track of the air quality of a factory or office space to maintain healthy and comfortable work conditions.
Downtime
monitoring
Keeps track of machinery utilisation with real-time visibility of the reasons behind downtime.
Power
monitoring
Helps companies understand energy consumption by tracking actual equipment power usage.
Temperature
monitoring
Helps companies keep track of the temperature of a space or process in a factory or office.
What’s needed from you?
A solution champion
Someone who will champion the solution deployment and make sure it gets the time and attention needed to make it a success (this person will get hands-on experience leading a digital project).
A solution implementer
Someone who will do what is needed to get the solution deployed (this person will develop practical digital skills – the only prerequisite is being interested).
How long does it take?
To deploy
The solution can be deployed in an afternoon once everything is ready. For most companies it takes 1-4 weeks to get everything ready (purchase the components, coordinate with their IT support, and set aside time for the implementer).
To use and review
4+ weeks: Once deployed, companies use the solution day-to-day for at least 4 weeks before we meet to review what has been learnt and what the next steps could be.
What you get:
How the mentored self-start programme works
Shoestring’s mentored self-start programmes are designed to give companies an easy way to get started with digitalisation.
The online training programme enables non-technical staff to build and deploy a simple, low-cost digital solution in their factory so that they can see how digitalisation benefits their business, building in-house digital skills along the way. Deployment takes approx. 12 hours, however many companies choose to do this in small chunks, which is why our programme runs over 6–8 weeks. Participating companies select a starter solution which is designed to provide a practical learning experience whilst solving a practical problem.
Mentored self-start – Technical support programme
Delivered online over 6–8 weeks by the Shoestring engineer, with cohort of 3–5 businesses:
Specification and planning workshop
- Solution overview
- User perspective
- Deployment planning
(Approx 1.5 hours)
Programme also includes:
- Bill of materials
- Low-cost component shopping list (<£200)
- Software download
- Full instructions
- Access to the online forum
Impact and review workshop
- Review
- Impact
- Experience
- Discuss next steps
(Approx 1.5 hours)
Weekly online drop-in sessions
- Procurement
- Deployment
- Trial running
Peer group share questions and experience open chat, scheduled reviews (weekly, 10-30mins)
Typical participants: production manager and apprentice (or student)
Mentored self-start – Technical support programme
Delivered online over 6–8 weeks by the Shoestring engineer, with cohort of 3–5 businesses:
Specification and planning workshop
- Solution overview
- User perspective
- Deployment planning
(Approx 1.5 hours)
Impact and review workshop
- Review
- Impact
- Experience
- Discuss next steps
(Approx 1.5 hours)
Weekly online drop-in sessions
- Procurement
- Deployment
- Trial running
Peer group share questions and experience open chat, scheduled reviews (weekly, 10-30mins)
Programme also includes:
- Bill of materials
- Low-cost component shopping list (<£200)
- Software download
- Full instructions
- Access to the online forum
Typical participants: production manager and apprentice (or student)
Why become a member?
Need to accelerate your digital transformation using low-cost technologies? To get started quickly and easily, take out an annual membership with Shoestring for only £100 a month.
The benefits
Gives confidence and digital skills
to non-technical staff
Builds awareness
of how digitalisation can improve your business
Opens up peer-to-peer networks
and facilitates technical support from experts
Enables self-deployment
of low-cost digital starter solutions
Low-cost
at less than £140 a month (£1650 a year)
Enjoy access to:
Online resources
for all available starter solutions
Online support forum
for problem–solving
Peer-to-peer network
all focused on similar issues
Expert training
available for up to three mentored self-start programmes with direct support from a Shoestring engineer
