Accelerating a Massive Product Launch

One of the fastest, most affordable consumer 3D printers on the market, the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer was a game changer for the production of profession-quality models. Designed for the desktop of an engineer, researcher, creative professional, or anyone who loves to make things, device features 100-micron layer resolution which, at the time, set a new standard in professional looking models and true-to-life replicas. The MakerBot Replicator 2 enables users to make big objects too: up to 410 cubic inches in volume.

Setting the Scene

With just 90 days left until a much anticipated public launch of its new MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer, MakerBot leadership realized they needed desktop integration experts that could not only tackle installation across seven different operating systems but also do it in three months.

Why such a hard deadline? It was due much in part to the fact that media coverage was chomping at the bit and embargoes mean business. (See: WIRED cover story.)

So with the clock ticking, MarkerBot tapped Arcweb Technologies.

Project Objectives

1.) Go-To-Market Urgency

With just 90 days left until launch, MakerBot needed to implement the MakerWare desktop installation software for both PC and Mac across seven operating system variants. The high-pressure situation required much coordination at both the executive and tactical levels.

2.) Maximizing Testing Efficiency

Coupled with daily improvements, Arcweb Technologies engineers designed an extensive testing suite to maximize testing workflow efficiency. The team implemented the MakerWare desktop installation software for both PC and Mac platforms across seven operating system variants and actualized a large suite of tests in order to ensure the integrity of the software, quickly identified software defects, and minimize the workforce required for testing daily improvements.

3.) Continuous Integration

Working directly with the MakerWare team, Arcweb Technologies engineers created automated tests built into a virtualized Continuous Integration (CI) framework using Jenkins and VirtualBox and implemented cross-platform visual tests using the Sikuli scripting environment.The solutions were implemented using Python, Objective-C, NSIS, PackageMaker and Bash. A subset of the software is open source and available on the MakerBot Github page.

Our Process

Key Results

Thanks to Arcweb Technologies’ lean, agile approach MakerBot was able to accelerate critical product development and hit its deadlines. Deliverables shipped on time and on budget and Arcweb Technologies engineers supplied on-demand expertise all the way up until launch.

Rave Reviews

WIRED featured MakerBot on the cover of its September 2012 issue, noting how “the new MakerBot Replicator just might change your world.” Popular Mechanics named the device its “Overall Winner” for best 3D printer. Time Magazine named it one of 2012’s best inventions.

Key Results

Rave Reviews

What Our Clients Are Saying

"Arcweb delivered everything they promised on time, on budget, and without hassle."

What Our Clients Are Saying

"Arcweb delivered everything they promised on time, on budget, and without hassle."

Let's Work Together

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About Arcweb

Arcweb Technologies partners with growth-focused leaders and innovators to build custom digital products that create business value.

Services

Accelerating a Massive Product Launch

Setting the Scene

Project Objectives

1.) Go-To-Market Urgency

2.) Maximizing Testing Efficiency

3.) Continuous Integration

Our Process

Key Results

Key Results

What Our Clients Are Saying

What Our Clients Are Saying

Let's Work Together

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