I have always been a huge fan of crowdfunding campaigns. The idea that anyone can submit a product idea, and if the public responds well to it, receive the support they need to move forward with it: is simply incredible! I have supported a few campaigns myself.
However, huge successful crowdfunding campaigns are usually infamous for having prolonged development periods and massive delays in order fulfillment. That is why, in 2015 when we launched our first successful crowdfunding campaign (a very small campaign), I never thought that my own small campaign would also experience similar delays!
It's 2018, Where are the StrikeTec Units?
Of course, we haven't been sitting around for two years not accomplishing anything. Actually the opposite is true, we have been radically developing new improvements and updates to the StrikeTec units.
Above is pictured our original proposed StrikeTec unit (left) vs the newest and final StrikeTec unit (right). Would you rather want the original ones now or the new ones later? I know that the wait has been tough for some of our most loyal supporters, and for those of you who have suck around and supported us throughout this two year journey, I promise you will be rewarded!
These final versions of the StrikeTec sensors are leagues ahead of what we had originally proposed. The battery life is better, the bluetooth distance is larger, and the units are much more compact and easy to use.
Why Waste Time Progressing?
Some might think that the delays we have caused are unnecessary. Perhaps we could have released earlier but because we are being perfectionists about our product, things are being delayed. This couldn't be farther from the truth!
When we launched our first crowdfunding campaign back in 2015, we had a working prototype, however it was not a commercial ready prototype.
As a natural result of building the commercial app and prototypes, we came across a few flaws with our algorithms and use cases. It was only natural that we would want to fix these issues as we came across them. Everyday, as we worked more and more on this product, we came across more and more small things here and there which ended up going on a list of things to fix. Before we knew it, we had basically developed a Version 2 and Version 3 StrikeTec sensor.
As we fixed issues and glitches with our units, we also came up with new ideas and new ways to use our product. New features were also being added along with our long list of little things to fix. We wanted to make sure the sensor would work in practically any use case.
In a sense, the progression of our product was a natural transition from prototype to commercial product, and as a result, the delays were inevitable.
When are the StrikeTec Units Shipping?
Actually, the first batch of orders have already been shipped! We are shipping everything in the order in which they were received. If you have received a tracking code, then your order has already been shipped!
If you have not, then do not worry because the second and final batch of shipments is on the way! We have a lot of orders to pack, label, and ship out, so each batch takes about one week to ship. The second batch is estimated to be fully shipped out by the end of this month!
What We Have Learned
Firstly, I have learned to never be disappointed or send angry letters at a other projects for delays.
Now that I have ran my own successful crowdfunding campaign, I realize that progressing the product is only a natural step forward in developing the commercial ready product, and of course, the delays are a natural result.
Words can not describe the amount of frustration, disappointment and feelings of guilt I have felt every time I received an angry letter from one of our backers or customers who are mad that they haven't received their StrikeTec yet. Every angry message I receive personally saddens me as we spent the last two years building up our product and improving it.
Of course, I don't blame some of you for being upset. You supported our campaign with your hard earned money, and we put that money to good use through the research, development, and perfection of our product! While we can not make everyone happy, I surely hope that you will all be pleased when you receive your StrikeTec sensors soon!
The purpose of this post is to inform you of where we are currently with the development of our product. We want to be totally transparent with our updates and make sure everyone is on the same page as us.
Thank you for your continued support of StrikeTec and look forward to receiving your units soon!
