Orbic Smart Wrist

Premium Features, Mass Market Pricing

Reliance Communications LLC stands out as a leading national distributor of cutting-edge wireless devices and accessories in the U.S., maintaining its market leadership in wireless communication products for over two decades.

As one of only three authorized Verizon Wireless distributors, Reliance Communications offers a comprehensive suite of services, including distribution, forward and reverse logistics, engineering support, marketing support, product training, fulfillment, inventory management, repair, refurbishment, and reclamation.

Their commitment to delivering practical solutions for wireless carriers, device manufacturers, and retailers distinguishes them in the industry. Under the Orbic brand, they aim to produce 5 million devices annually in the U.S. as part of their Project Patriot Initiative.

Orbic provides a range of affordable, reliable technology solutions, including smartphones, tablets, wearables, and hotspots. Their unique selling proposition lies in offering high-quality, feature-rich devices at competitive prices, making advanced technology accessible to a broader audience.

Orbic’s products cater to both personal and business needs, ensuring connectivity and productivity on the go. In 2021, they approached us to design a new device, the Orbic Smart Wrist.

Project Insights

Orbic caters to the entry segment of the market with carrier sales accounting for a large portion of their revenue. Our goals for this project were:

1. Create a design based upon available tech to cut time to market and help them gain the early bird advantage.

2. Create a universally acceptable design that appeals across the diverse constituents of their target segment.

3. Manage design quality across 3 geographies, India, China and the US.

Design Matters

The design philosophy behind the SmartWrist was to create a device that is both subtle and instantly recognizable as Orbic. We achieved this through a thoughtful combination of form and Colors, Materials, and Finishes (CMF). The SmartWrist’s geometric yet soft design, paired with a sleek corporate black, makes it versatile for both consumers and businesses. And a distinctive touch of Orbic green on the button ties the device unmistakably to the brand, embodying both functionality and style.

Time to Market is King

Orbic stands out as a nimble niche player, adept at seizing opportunities swiftly. Their strategy hinges on leveraging a standard platform with minimal customization, enabling rapid product development. We built upon this approach in our collaboration with their ODMs and mockup makers in China and swiftly transformed a design concept into reality.

Quality Matters

Carrier brand managers approve orders based on mockups, expecting the final product to mirror what they signed off on. Any discrepancies lead to renegotiations and erode trust in the supplier. We collaborated with both ODMs and mockup creators to craft a design that was unique yet seamlessly integrated with their processes, ensuring that the design intent was preserved from concept to production.

Materials Matter

While competitive pricing gets a brand noticed, it’s the feel that seals the deal, especially with wearables. We scouted and partnered with suppliers known for providing strap materials to top global brands. By connecting them with Orbic’s manufacturers, we crafted a product that matched the premium feel of high-end competitors, all while keeping it accessible.

Roll with the Changes

We designed the SmartWrist at the peak of the pandemic. The supply chain disruptions forced us to pivot from a physical to a more digital workflow. Collaborating with Orbic’s mockup makers, we developed and remotely approved an appearance model. This model, when showcased to carriers, received immediate approval, enabling Orbic to confidently move forward with mass production.

Key Tasks Accomplished

1. Concept Development

2. Enclosure Design

3. Prototype Design

4. Materials Selection

5. Mockup Management

Services

Product Design

Product Engineering

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3D Configurator

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Micro Offshore Design

Managed Production

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Corporate Innovation

Launchpad

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21 day marketing

Design Exchange

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