HWREV

ABOUT

Hardware Has a Story. Keep It Connected.

Electronic hardware changes throughout its lifecycle. Revisions change, components are replaced, firmware evolves, units are tested and reworked. We built this product to keep the information associated with an individual hardware unit connected to the hardware itself.

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Close-up photograph of an electronic circuit board with processors, components, and copper traces
HARDWARE ↔ DIGITAL RECORD ILLUSTRATIVE CONCEPT · NOT ACTUAL CUSTOMER OR PRODUCTION DATA
Hardware detail — photograph by Alexandre Debiève / Unsplash.

01 / WHY WE BUILT IT

The Information Around Hardware Gets Complicated

A physical hardware unit can have a revision, component configuration, firmware version, test results, rework, repairs, and other changes associated with it. Over time, that information can end up scattered across different systems, documents, spreadsheets, and conversations.

We wanted a more direct connection between the physical unit and the information that describes it. That idea became the foundation for this product.

ENGINEERING OBSERVATION INFORMATION ACCUMULATES AROUND ONE PHYSICAL UNIT
Illustrative physical electronic control board identified as unit 10284 INDIVIDUAL HARDWARE UNIT · #10284
  • Revision
  • Components
  • Firmware
  • Testing
  • Rework
  • Repairs

ONE UNIT · MULTIPLE SOURCES · ONE CONTINUOUS POINT OF REFERENCE

02 / OUR PERSPECTIVE

Traceability Should Follow the Individual Unit

Two units built from the same product design can have different histories. One may have different components, a different firmware version, additional testing, or a repair that the other never had.

That is why our approach focuses on the individual physical unit — not just the product model or revision.

CONCEPTUAL EXAMPLE — NOT CUSTOMER OR PRODUCTION DATA

PRODUCT / MODEL
Illustrative physical electronic control board UNIT #10284
UNIT #10284 PHYSICAL IDENTITY · DM-10284
Configuration
Configuration A
Firmware
Version 2.4
Illustrative physical electronic control board UNIT #10285
UNIT #10285 PHYSICAL IDENTITY · DM-10285
Components
Alternate component
Testing
Additional test
Illustrative physical electronic control board UNIT #10286
UNIT #10286 PHYSICAL IDENTITY · DM-10286
Changes
Repair recorded
History
Configuration updated
Hands performing detailed electronics work on a circuit board at a workbench
Illustrative hardware work — stock photograph, not NAK Engineering staff or workspace. Photo by Blaz Erzetic / Unsplash.

03 / WHO IS BEHIND IT

Built With Hardware in Mind

Created by NAK Engineering, a team that works with companies developing electronic products, this product grew from firsthand experience with the realities of designing, building, testing, and changing physical hardware.

That experience shapes the way we think about traceability: it should be practical, connected to the physical product, and useful throughout its lifecycle.

04 / OUR APPROACH

Three Principles Guide the Product

  1. 01 — HARDWARE FIRST

    The physical unit is the starting point. Its digital record provides context about that specific piece of hardware.

  2. 02 — UNIT-LEVEL IDENTITY

    Individual units can develop different histories. Traceability should account for those differences.

  3. 03 — CURRENT STATE + HISTORY

    Knowing the current configuration matters. Understanding how the unit reached that state can matter too.

05 / NEXT

See the Product in Context

Explore how individual hardware units, their configurations, and their history can stay connected.

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