ARC Solutions

ARC Solutions has traditionally offered a semi-custom PC keyboard as an optional accessory with their software packages. However, in 2004, as part of a product and market review, ARC Solutions decided to improve the value of their offerings by including a keyboard as part of the package.

Project Overview

Whilst the existing semi-custom PC keyboard served the purpose as an accessory, ARC Solutions identified the need for a high-quality bespoke keyboard to raise customer perception, brand awareness and product differentiation. The ability to tailor the keyboard layout, keytop legends and colours specifically to match ARC Solutions’ on-screen application layout was key to the new approach. 

Another major factor in ARC Solutions’ decision process was the product lead-time of the incumbent supplier, which needed to be considerably reduced to allow Arc to react effectively to the demands of their marketplace. 

The Benefits

Devlin Electronics offered a solution which enabled ARC Solutions to achieve both goals with a fully customisable bespoke keyboard design which can be delivered within the specified timescales.

By basing the product on a custom design featuring a compact 109-key layout with an integrated pointing device, Devlin Electronics were able to offer the flexibility of a dual PS2 and USB compatibility with the required functionality.

Differentiation and application compatibility were provided by fitting a range of coloured keytops with custom legends. Devlin Electronics were able to offer a large choice of colours and using in-house laser marking capability, apply the complex legends required to tie in with ARC’s application functions. The completed keyboard is laser marked in a single, high-speed operation, enabling Devlin to reduce both production time and set-up costs. 

In addition, Devlin Electronics has been able to respond very quickly to ARC Solutions’ request for sample keyboards with an alternative language layout to assist ARC Solutions with foreign customer demonstrations, greatly improving operations with the client.