Rauf,

That sounds like a fun project. The good thing that I hear is that the client WANTS to ugrade a panel and that they see that smart modules can replace time-consuming hand calculations. This is a receptive customer to new ideas.

I'll write more on the bidding aspect later. I'm not going to quote any dollars because on an internatonal discussion, they wouldn't mean much.

I think you have a fair chance once you get your device installed to interest the company in further upgrades. Getting the device installed may be a when you want to discuss it with them because once they see your circuit work, you are an expert in their eyes.

Also, since this is subcontracted through th software company, they might not like to hear you changing a contract that they have already designed and worked with the instrumentation department.

As I mentioned in our prior correspondence, you might tempt the client into paying to get the data back to their company lan. That would allow them to monitor some operations in the main office. Once they decide to bridge some telemetry that way... their appetite just increases and that is good for your business.

Working with ADCs are easy.

As I understand your message, you've already submitted a bid. Was that the client's cost or was that your expected costs? I assume too that one panel is being done for now. I'd recommend spending a little time to locate a project board capable of doing everything you need. Then you just buy the board, wiring it up and program it.

Making more money out of money:

You might want to talk with the quality control expert at the facility to see if he has any additional computations he'd like to see added. An involved QC engineer can easily escalate a contract (and its cost) by asking for a graphic display to maintain charts and statistical sampling. Its a little tricky but it saves them time and makes them think about spending more money with you. :)

I'll look back over your project efinition and see if I can spot an existing micro controller board minimized for your requirements. Be cautious though... if you use a standard product and you turn over your source code to the client or the software company that referred you... you may find they do the other panels wthout paying you anything. Make sure they have to comeback to you for something.

What is your budgeted cost for the microcontroller board?

aka J

(I'm stuck doing corporate paperwork this month so its a good time to get me interested in a project. :)