--- title: 3 Benefits Of Lower Costs For HMI Manufacturers description: Improvements to the human-machine interface manufacturing process across electronic industries allow HMI manufacturers to use better technology for less money. image: https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/hmi-with-embedded-firmware.jpg --- [![Epec Engineered Technologies](https://www.epectec.com/images/logo.png "Epec Engineered Technologies")](https://www.epectec.com/) [![Epec Engineered Technologies](https://www.epectec.com/images/logo.png "Epec Engineered Technologies")](https://www.epectec.com/) - [Articles](https://www.epectec.com/articles/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) - [Webinars](https://www.epectec.com/webinar/) - [Videos](https://www.epectec.com/videos/) - [Case Studies](https://www.epectec.com/case-studies/) - [News & Events](https://www.epectec.com/news/) - [Customer Portal](https://system.netsuite.com/c.406760/site/NSlogin.html) - [About](https://www.epectec.com/about/overview/) - Back - [Company Overview](https://www.epectec.com/about/overview/) - 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[Register](https://secure.epecpcb.com/epec/index2.jsp) - [Home](https://www.epectec.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) - 3 Benefits Of Lower Costs For HMI Manufacturers Share This Page: [LinkedIn](https://blog.epectec.com/#linkedin) [X](https://blog.epectec.com/#x) [Facebook](https://blog.epectec.com/#facebook) [Email](https://blog.epectec.com/#email) # 3 Benefits Of Lower Costs For HMI Manufacturers [![Ed McMahon](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog-Authors/ed-mchmahon.jpg "Ed McMahon")](https://blog.epectec.com/author/ed-mcmahon) Written by [Ed McMahon](https://blog.epectec.com/author/ed-mcmahon) Posted on July 21, 2016 at 1:37 PM ![Ed McMahon](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog-Authors/ed-mchmahon.jpg "Ed McMahon") - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Continued improvements to the [human-machine interface (HMI) manufacturing process](http://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/manufacturing-capabilities.html) across entire electronic industries have made technology once widely considered too expensive for most applications now accessible within many design budgets. ## LCDs, Touch Screens, ICs Industry thought leader Charles Annis, the VP of Manufacturing Research at Display Search mentioned, “LCD and touchscreen prices are on a relentless downward trend as the manufacturers understand that lower prices are key to stimulating demand and overall market growth.” HMI manufacturers have also realized that lower [powered displays and backlighting](http://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/light-guide-film-technology.html) is required for portable applications and there are now many very economical models for battery powered devices. ![HMI with Embedded Firmware](https://blog.epectec.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/hmi-with-embedded-firmware.jpg?width=640&name=hmi-with-embedded-firmware.jpg "HMI with Embedded Firmware") *Human-Machine Interface with Embedded Firmware* Now that the costs are in a position where this technology can be considered for almost any application, the true benefits of these products in interface designs can be used: 1. **Improved Device Safety** – With the use of custom software and firmware an OEM can now guide a user through the safe and effective use of their product using visual instructions that work through “if-then” programming. 2. **Fewer SKUs** – Since these visual tools can be used for any language or customization, companies can now have just one part number (SKU) for the hardware and then change the software for the necessary customization. Thereby saving money by only managing one SKU but also lowering the cost of the device as all of the volume can be leveraged to one part number. 3. **Lowering Warranty Costs** – These devices utilize an IC to run the software, firmware and we can write data to the IC to log activity. This takes away any of the warranty guesswork and gives OEMs unique insight into what the users are experiencing with their products. ## Summary With lower costs come concern from customers about a reduction in quality and lack of durability. In the case of HMI manufacturing, the opposite is true. With new materials and technologies, the displays are commonly used in high reliability applications throughout [aerospace, military, and medical industries](http://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/military-specifications.html). Improvements have also been made to the viewing angle and the ability for the displays to work in different lighting environments, which were some of the largest drawbacks in the past. Ultimately, this brings human-machine interface technologies into the cost-effective category. --- ## Key Takeaways - **HMI Technology Is Now More Affordable:** Advances in manufacturing and reduced LCD and touchscreen costs have made sophisticated HMI solutions practical for a wide range of applications and budgets. - **Lower Power Requirements Benefit Portable Devices:** Modern displays and backlighting use significantly less power, making them ideal for battery-operated and handheld products. - **Embedded Firmware Enhances Functionality and Safety:** Custom software allows OEMs to guide users through safe, efficient product operation with visual prompts and “if-then” logic. - **Fewer SKUs and Lower Costs for OEMs:** A single hardware design can serve multiple markets by changing only the software, reducing inventory complexity and overall production expenses. - **Improved Quality and Durability:** Despite lower costs, today’s HMIs are more reliable, with better viewing angles, environmental resilience, and performance that meets aerospace, military, and medical standards. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Topics: [User Interfaces](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/user-interfaces) --- [Next](https://blog.epectec.com/lowering-oem-risk-with-vendor-consolidation) | [All posts](https://blog.epectec.com/all) | [Previous](https://blog.epectec.com/regulation-changes-q-and-a-for-lithium-ion-battery-manufacturers) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/707152/0b090bf2-15d5-4b69-8019-8bb9a6f3555d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/707152/0b090bf2-15d5-4b69-8019-8bb9a6f3555d) ## Leave a Comment --- ## Related Posts --- ### Recent Posts --- ### Posts by Topic - [Printed Circuit Boards (157)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/printed-circuit-boards) - [Product Design (132)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/product-design) - [Battery Packs (118)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/battery-packs) - [Cable Assemblies (99)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/cable-assemblies) - [Flex & Rigid-Flex PCB's (92)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/flex-rigid-flex-pcbs) - [Electronics Industry (61)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/electronics-industry) - [User Interfaces (54)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/user-interfaces) - [Quality Solutions (32)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/quality-solutions) - [Flexible Heaters (30)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/flexible-heaters) - [Events, Training, and Support (9)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/events-training-and-support) - [RF Products (7)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/rf-products) - [CNC Machining (3)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/cnc-machining) - [Fans & Motors (1)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/fans-motors) See All --- --- ### Need Help with A Project? 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