Frequently Asked Questions

Frequenctly Asked QuestionsBelow is a list of questions we frequently answer for potential clients, both large and small. If your question isn't answered here, please feel free to contact us so that we may answer your question to your satisfaction.

 

What types of products have you previously designed?

We have designed many products in many areas. A short list is here:

  • Military - a vehicle diagnostic system for tactical vehicles
  • Utility Meter Reading - RF system which aggragates meter readings for utility companies
  • Government - A 235-node custom enterprise-managed VPN spanning the entire United States
  • Government - A custom "One Way Transfer" device for moving data between different classified networks
  • Biometric Mass-storage device
  • "Talking" aviation checklist device

We believe our position as a general R&D laboratory provides great value to our end customers. While we cannot claim to be industry experts in all fields, we can claim to be experts in many and know when to outsource and when to perform the work in-house. Rarely do we need to solicit outsourced services, but when we do our years of experience enables us to manage the relationship effectively and defend against unethical billing, scheduling, and quality issues.

Will you sign a Non-disclosure agreement?

Absolutely. It is always our priority to protect our client's intellectual property and we are always willing to enter into a contractual agreement to do so. Since we are involved in numerous projects, we actually require a mutual NDA that provides both parties equal protection. However, we also recognize that the disclosure of proprietary information can cause damages that may not be proven or calculated, therefore regardless of contracts we always hold our clients' sensitive information in the closest of confidence. In any event, you can find our Mutual NDA right here.

Will you give me an estimate before starting work?

Absolutely. There is no cost up front when dealing with Redstone Labs. There will be no charges until after we fully understand your project, what our role will be, a contract is in place, and everyone is in agreement. Please feel comfortable contacting us, we offer free consultations for all new projects.

How do we know your estimate is accurate?

A good question indeed. Redstone Labs quotation process is the result of many years of breaking down projects into small subtasks and then analyzing how long these tasks take in practice. We compare our estimates with our actual time spent and adjust our quotation process accordingly. Over time, we have developed a very accurate, highly granular estimation process that our customers can have faith in.

Do you work on a fixed/firm or by the hour basis?

We provide services strictly on an hourly basis. We do not do this to maximize profits, rather we do it to minimize losses. During the life cycle of a project, it is typical that clients request changes during development. This usually invalidates previous estimates and often renders previous work invalid. We would prefer to be dedicated to developing the best product to your specifications, rather than minimizing our efforts to maintain a profit.

How much will my project cost?

The golden question, we wish it were that easy so we could answer it here. We recognize that cost is the ultimate driver for most all business decisions. Ultimately everyone is in business to make money. We truly strive to provide value to our clients that far exceed the costs. We believe the skills we posses are not a luxury but a necessity to create a successful product. Many organizations have these skills internally or some portion of them and we just bridge their gaps. Whatever your needs, when it comes to engineering we can save you both time and money. What we can share are the basic concepts of cost, quality, and time. We recognize everyone wants to build the best product as quickly as possible for as little as possible. Unfortunately in most cases we have to prioritize these in order of importance and find a balance that meets your requirements.

Your estimate was higher than others I've received. Why?

We are rarely the cheapest bidder on a project. The first and most important thing we can say about this is if you received an estimate that seems too good to be true -- It is! We compete with countless other contract engineering houses and businesses who export the actual work overseas to take advantage of extremely cheap labor. We've watched project after project go this route and have yet to see favorable results. This gives credence to the old adage that you get what you pay for. Most times, 'cheap' ultimately becomes very expensive.

How much will I have to pay in advance?

It depends on the scope of the work, but typically we require some form of up front good faith payment.

What type of payment terms do you offer?

Usually with new clients we operate on NET15 terms with invoices sent on the 1st and 15th of each month. On request we will consider other terms pending a credit check.

I am in the process of patenting my idea, can you help?

Certainly. We have assisted in authoring patents for numerous clients. We understand the patent process completely and have drafted patent claims and artwork for numerous clients. We have also worked directly with patent lawyers on behalf of our clients to complete the patent process.

I have a product that needs modifications, can you help?

Absolutely. We can work with any project at any phase of its life cycle.

Do you have an office in my city?

Our main office is located in the greater Tampa Bay area with a satellite office in the Washington D.C area. We are planning another satellite office in London, England. Generally speaking, however, the majority of our clients are located all over the world. Travel is a regular part of our business and we have been known to stay at a customer's site as necessary to complete the task.