Frequently Asked Questions
 

DMC is a consulting firm providing high-caliber engineering and custom software development services for manufacturing, testing, and product development organizations in the Chicago area and throughout the world.

When originally founded in 1996, “DMC” was an abbreviation for “Dynamic Motion Control”.  Today, DMC does much more than just motion control (although we are still very dynamic), so we prefer DMC.

No matter the size of the client or the complexity of the problem, DMC helps organizations increase productivity and quality.  We specialize in applying emerging and proven technologies to allow our clients to compete and win in today’s global markets.  Understanding the latest in automation technology, and the skilled application of these tools, is the foundation of our business.

On the Manufacturing Automation front, we make production systems more efficient, flexible, and reliable. Our Manufacturing Intelligence solutions provide the information needed for more effective business decisions. Our Test and Measurement Services provide automated solutions for production, quality, and R&D laboratory testing. Our Custom Software services provide rock-solid software for product development needs.

DMC has been building mission-critical systems for top organizations since 1996.

DMC's primary business is to sell engineering services. We are not a distributor, nor a traditional VAR (Value Added Reseller). We will provide a complete solution for our clients, including hardware, software, and integration, or we can provide some parts of the solution - whatever makes the most sense for our clients. Regardless of whoever purchases the components, DMC can take on total project responsibility.

No.  DMC is not tied to any particular hardware or software platforms.  This ensures we have the freedom to work with your existing software and/or hardware systems, or to make the best recommendations for a new solution.

Of course we do.  We work with a wide variety of software and hardware systems every day.  We also know what works best in specific applications.  We want our clients to leverage that experience.  After discussing your application, specifications, and constraints with you, we would be more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tools for the job.

No, No, and No.

Generally speaking, we don’t machine parts or wire up systems.  Not because we can’t, but because we don’t add a lot of value to those specific tasks.  If you need these services as part of your overall solution, we can provide general project management, assist with specifications or drawings development, and/or provide recommendations for several partners we have experience working with.

If it makes sense for our customer, we will provide a turnkey solution.  Sometimes, it makes sense for DMC to focus on the system architecture and software part of the project and to partner with another company to provide services and products that we don’t specialize in.

We currently support all of the hardware and software systems mentioned on our website.  We have tried to include all of the most commonly used platforms; however, there are many systems and components that we work with which are not specifically listed.  The best way to find out if we support something you currently use, or plan to use, is to ask us.  There is a good chance will be able to help you.

Yes, we will work with just about any system.  DMC engineers are fast learners, and have a great deal of experience to draw from.

There are many reasons to use a solution provider like DMC, but here are some of the most common ones.

• Expertise.  You need to implement new technologies or platforms and don’t have engineers with the required experience on staff.

• Capacity.  You don’t have the available capacity to complete your project in a timely manner, and you can’t justify adding the full-time staff which would be required to do so.

• Focus.  Your in-house staff has other responsibilities that distract them from completing project work.

• Rescue.  You need to get a wayward project back on track

Working with us provides you with the following key benefits:

Top Talent.  We hire and retain engineers that are at the top of their field.  This allows us to provide you with the best solution in the shortest amount of time.

Transparency.  We want you to continue to work with us because you want to, not because you have to.  Throughout our engagement we will show you everything we’re doing and ensure that you can take over the project when it’s finished.

Reliability.  We’ve done countless manufacturing-related projects for organizations of all sizes.  We know how to meet deadlines and create robust solutions.

We work with organizations of all sizes, across many different industries, including Manufacturers and their Suppliers, Government Research and Development Laboratories, Product Development Companies, and Warehousing and Distribution Centers.

We don’t have a typically sized customer.  We work with companies ranging from start-ups in the product development phase to Multi-National Fortune 50 companies and everything in-between.

Organizations that are willing to apply emerging and proven technologies to achieve increases in productivity and quality, or shorter time to market, will benefit significantly from partnering with us.  We are focused on ensuring that all levels of business benefit from partnering with DMC.

We have solved challenging problems for companies in a wide range of industries.  Here is a brief list of the industries we’ve been working in recently:  Automotive, Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Semiconductor, Specialty Machinery, Chemical, Packaging, Industrial Products, Test and Measurement, Water and Wastewater.  If you don’t see your particular industry listed, ask us.

We handle the full project lifecycle, from requirements, to programming, to training.  Our projects follow a typical path of evolution:  Specifications Development, Feasibility Analysis, Proof of Concept, Prototyping and Development, Full Scale System Deployment, On-Going Support.  Of course, all of these phases may not apply to your project.  During an initial conversation with you we can describe the most appropriate path your project would take. 

There really isn’t a typical size for the projects we work on.  Projects can range from a few days to many months of development.

Absolutely.  We prefer to form a partnership with your internal staff, identifying the critical issues facing your business, and implementing solutions quickly, without interrupting workflow.  Your in-house engineers are experts in your systems and processes.  Our engineers are experts in the latest technology and can provide an experience-based, best practices approach to your project.  Working together, we can create the optimal solution for your organization.  Throughout the course of your project we will work with your internal team to ensure they know what we are doing and understand how the solution works.  We can also train your internal engineering staff on the technologies used and details of the system delivered. 

You’ll get as many engineers as it takes to get the job done right and completed on-time.  And that really depends on the details of your project, which we’ll determine after you call to discuss the specifics.  With that said, we typically assign multiple engineers to every project to ensure the highest level of support possible.

DMC will manage your project from start to finish; from concept to completion.  At the very least, we will internally manage our own portion of your project.  If needed, we can also provide a higher level of project management to larger-scale programs that may involve your internal staff and/or other external contractors.

First of all, we hope this doesn’t happen.  If it does, rest assured that we have you covered.  We have the internal infrastructure required to handle internal catastrophes—from engineers with redundant skill sets, to structured offsite data backup systems.

You just need to contact us and start talking to one of our engineers or project managers.  You can fill out our online contact form, email, or call us.  In a first discussion, we can answer any remaining questions you might have about DMC or working with us.  After you tell us about your needs and project requirements, we can determine how to proceed.  Typically we will put you in contact with the most appropriate DMC staff member, who will schedule a more detailed phone discussion, an onsite visit, or an informational visit to DMC.

 It’s never too early to get us involved.  We can help with upfront conceptualization and project planning.  The sooner we’re involved, the faster you can benefit from our knowledge and experience.  For that matter, it’s also never too late to give us a call.  We can help you bring that wayward project back on track.

Usually, it only costs you the phone call it takes to get us up to speed on your requirements.  If we can help you, we can talk you through different approaches to your project.  If required to develop a quote or proposal, we can spend more time with you at your site, generally with no cost to you.  For more extensive projects, or those with evolving or yet-to-be-defined specifications, we may want to start your project off with a quote for a small Feasibility Analysis phase.

We pride ourselves in being highly responsive to our customers’ needs.  Since every emergency is different, contact us and there is a good chance we will be able to help you or point you in the right direction.

Yes. Our expert engineers have extensive experience in modifying, adapting, and breathing new life into your existing software applications. For that matter, we will provide you with all the source code for any changes we make to your system, so that later you can make changes yourself, or even choose another vendor. After all, we want you to work with us because you want to, not because you have to. 

No. In fact, the most-often overlooked factor in selecting a solution provider is their willingness to transfer knowledge and deliver source code. Some people lock out their code or are unwilling to share the thought process behind a design, which could leave you vulnerable down the road. We want you to work with us because you want to, not because you have to. We will provide all the source code to your system, so you can make changes yourself, or even choose another vendor.

At DMC, we build very flexible systems that typically don’t require programmers to make adjustments, and we will train your staff on system modification procedures.  We also can add a certain degree of system support into our quotes/proposals.  If required, we can customize an agreement to fit your needs. 

Throughout the course of your project we will work with your internal team to ensure they know what we are doing, and understand how the solution works.  We can also train your internal engineering staff on the technologies used and details of the system delivered.  If you have specific training requirements, let us know. 

All of our solutions are designed from the outset to be self-documenting and easy to use.  If you have specific documentation requirements, let us know.

Yes.  In fact, the most-often overlooked factor in selecting a solution provider is their willingness to transfer knowledge and deliver source code.  We will deliver all source code developed for your system.  We won’t lock you out of the source code or refuse to share the thought process behind our designs, so we won’t leave you vulnerable down the road.  We want you to work with us because you want to, not because you have to. 

DMC works on a fixed bid, hourly, and hybrid basis for our clients.

Our billing rates are comparable to our competition and to our clients’ internal billing rates. 

Throughout the course of your project, we will work with your internal team to ensure they know what we are doing, and understand how the solution works.  If you have specific training requirements, we can account for that in our quote/proposal.

Yes.

Yes, however in order for us to provide a fixed bid we will require a clear scope of work.

For hourly projects, we will bill you weekly, with payment due net 30.  For fixed-bid projects, we typically require a down payment to begin the project, billing another portion of the balance upon system functionality, and the remainder net 30 from acceptance.

You won’t need a license for the software we develop for you.  However, you may need to obtain a license for some of the platforms we use to develop your solution.  If this is a concern for you, make sure to let us know.

No, you don’t need to buy it all.  However, you may need to obtain a license for some of the platforms we use to develop your solution.  If this is a concern for you, make sure to let us know

Yes, DMC is growing.  However, we are not the place for everyone – we hire only “A” Players who are the best at what they do.  If you’re truly passionate about engineering, problem solving, and providing excellent service, we want you on our team.  Email us your resume and cover letter.

That one's easy.  We hire really smart, competitive, fun, driven, nice people.  Great companies are built from great people.  We actively seek to attract and retain bright people who are quick learners and who are committed to embracing and effectively utilizing new technologies.

Virtually all (> 99%) of our work is done by our internal staff of experts.  On very rare occasions we will engage with external resources to assist us in completing a project.

Our office is located in Chicago, Illinois.

Usually it’s some of both.  During some phases of your project we may be working at DMC, but other phases will usually require us to be present at your site.  If you have a special need or requirement, let us know.

We serve organizations in the Chicago area, the Midwest, and throughout the world.

Yes, we do.

Sure, we’d love to have you stop by our offices.  Call to set up a visit here, or to schedule a visit out at your site.

Our core business hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 5pm Central Time.  However, don’t hesitate to try to contact us during off hours.

DMC has achieved Microsoft Gold Partner certification, including a number of individual personnel certifications.  We are a Siemens Solution Partner and have Wonderware ArchestrA certification.  As a National Instruments Alliance member, DMC has several certified LabVIEW developers on staff.  DMC is also a CSIA certified integrator, demonstrating best practices and knowledge in automation and integration.

We would be happy to provide you with references.