December
09
2024
Insights from the Caldwell’s Engineering Team
At Caldwell Inc., innovation isn't just a buzzword; it’s the cornerstone of everything we do. One of the standout examples of this ethos is the online SmartSpec Product Configurator tool, designed to simplify the customization process for the company’s best-selling lifting devices. A game changer when first developed in 20XX, SmartSpec’s 2025 update is a game-changer in the industry, offering a new and improved online experience.
As part of the engineering development team behind this innovation, we are thrilled to share the behind-the-scenes story of how SmartSpec came to life and the vision that drives it forward.
The Problem: A Need for Precision and Speed
In today's fast-paced and highly specialized work environments, custom equipment is often needed quickly. The modifications might not be huge … add a lifting spread or change a bail type … but they’re necessary. Every change to the standard design, however, requires recalculations and new drawings. And then, the new piece of lifting equipment must run through pricing for another manual process.
In the best-case scenario, it took days. In the worst case, perhaps a week or more. All along the way there was room for miscommunication and errors.
Early on, Caldwell recognized the need for a digital tool that could streamline the specification process, reducing human error and minimizing back-and-forth iterations.
“The primary challenge we faced as engineers,” said Manufacturing Engineer Manager and SmartSpec Project Lead Mark Blomberg, “was how to provide users with an intuitive experience while retaining the depth of customization and precision that Caldwell products are known for.”
The Vision: Simplicity Meets Sophistication
“Our goal with SmartSpec was clear: create a tool that offers seamless integration between the customer’s needs and Caldwell's technical capabilities, all within an easy-to-navigate interface,” Blomberg continued. “We aimed to develop a solution that allows customers to configure their ideal product with minimal hassle, without sacrificing accuracy or performance.”
Early versions of the tool handled complex engineering scenarios for a handful of products. But the 2024 goal was bigger: Make the tool faster, cleaner, and more user-friendly. Blomberg and his team were ready for the challenge.
First, Nail the Backend Complexity
One of the most challenging aspects of developing the configurator was building a system that could dynamically adjust based on real-time input. Caldwell's products often involve complex customizations like load capacities, dimensions, and material specifications. The SmartSpec tool needed to provide real-time feedback, ensuring that every configuration met rigorous engineering standards. Building this engine required meticulous programming and an extensive database capable of handling an ever-growing range of products and customization options.
Then, Improve the User Experience
Another major focus was creating a user interface that would cater to both technical and non-technical users. From an engineering perspective, this meant finding the perfect balance between simplicity and flexibility. The configurator needed to accommodate engineers looking for specific load ratings or compliance with industry standards, while also being accessible to customers without technical expertise.
To achieve this, Caldwell worked closely with web developers and UI/UX designers to map out user journeys, creating a logical, step-by-step configuration process. The result is an interface that simplifies complex product specifications into intuitive selections and drop-down menus. Users can easily visualize how each choice impacts the final product, in real time.
The Result: A Tool That Works for Everyone
Today, the revamped SmartSpec tool stands as a reflection of Caldwell’s commitment to innovation and customer service. It reduces lead times, increases accuracy, and significantly improves the customer experience.
Jeff Ferchen, Caldwell’s Business Development Director, captures the impact perfectly: “What used to take days now takes just minutes with the SmartSpec tool. It's a huge leap forward in terms of efficiency, and it's transformed how we interact with our customers.”
Looking Ahead
Today’s SmartSpec is just the beginning. New models are being added all the time, as adoption of the technology continues to grow. “We’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in product configuration,” Blomberg promised.
To learn more about SmartSpec, start here: https://www.caldwellinc.com/instock
MEET THE ENGINEERS
Mark Blomberg, Mechanical Engineering Manager and Black Belt Education: Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Years at Caldwell: 14 Describe the SmartSpec Team: This engineering crew is phenomenal. I’m so proud of the work we have done ... and it’s been no small task. Imagine the hundreds of thousands of calculations and configurations that have to be programmed. It’s a game changer.
Michael Stitt, Configurator Designer Education: Information Technology, University of Missouri Years at Caldwell: 7 years Describe what part of the SmartSpec project you like best: Being able to automate the modeling process. It's cool to see a program you create able to make an almost limitless number of different models.
Anil Bradley, Configurator Engineer Education: Computer Science, Harvard University Years at Caldwell: 1 year Describe the why this SmartSpec update is so good: SmartSpec is fast. It’s accurate. It does all of the “heavy lifting” with the push of a button, so you get what you need faster. Vishal Parashar, Configurator Engineer Education: Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, University of Cincinnati Years at Caldwell: 6 Years Describe what you are most proud of regarding SmartSpec: We can reduce lead times for customers and help the whole Caldwell engineering team be more efficient ... it’s a win-win.