1) CirrusMio partnered with MakeTime to create "smart objects" that could connect manufacturing machines to the cloud and collect operational data, enabling MakeTime to launch the first online machining marketplace. 2) CirrusMio helped MakeTime develop sensors that could attach to machines and transmit data on their location, temperature, vibration, idle time, and more to the cloud. 3) This allowed MakeTime to launch an online platform where manufacturers can buy or sell machine time by the hour, optimizing utilization of idle factory capacity.

1.
Case Study:
How CirrusMio helped MakeTime create “smart objects”,
resulting in first online machining marketplace.

2. “We’re proud that MakeTime has had a positive impact in our regional economy, and is building
a solution for a global problem.” Todd Willey, CEO
Connecting Shop Floor Devices to the Cloud
CirrusMio partnered with the Lexington­based company MakeTime to create their namesake
software: an online platform that is singlehandedly streamlining the American manufacturing
process. Offering machine capacity for immediate purchase, MakeTime provides manufacturers
and designers with the opportunity to make what they need, when they need it, and with the
level of quality they expect.
But before MakeTime became a reality, CEO and Founder Drura Parrish and members of his
team collaborated with CirrusMio to explore the concept known as The Internet of Things.
Commonly referred to as IoT, this refers to a network of physical objects, devices, vehicles,
buildings and other objects that contain electronics, software, sensors, and network
connectivity, which enables these objects to connect to the cloud and collect and exchange
data.
Simply put, any device with an on/off switch can be connected to the Internet (and/or to each
other). This includes everything from cell phones, coffee makers, washing machines,
headphones, lamps, wearable devices and almost anything else you can think of.
IoT is expected to grow significantly in the next several years. As broadband internet becomes
more readily available, we are seeing more devices with wifi capabilities and built­in sensors are
being created. The cost of this technology is decreasing, and smartphone use is growing
steadily.
So what is the business value in Internet of Things? There are several examples. If your car had
access to your calendar, it could tell you the quickest route to take. If you’re caught in traffic, it
might send a text to the other party that you’ll be running late. If your alarm clock was connected
to your coffeemaker, you could have a fresh pot brewed by the time you wake up. If your office
equipment could sense when it was running low on supplies and automatically order more, your
productivity would be uninterrupted. Besides making everyday life more convenient, IoT
technology can be applied on a broader scale to create “smart cities” which can help increase
energy efficiency and reduce waste.

3. From Prototype to Marketplace
In the initial project stages, CirrusMio helped MakeTime develop their Internet of Things device.
At the time, MakeTime consisted of raw circuit boards and exposed wires. CTO Dmitry "Dima"
Strakovsky approached CirrusMio for help in creating a sensor that could be attached to a
power cable and deliver information about a machine. Designer/Developer Nick Warner
explained that a wifi chip was installed that connected to the device.
By writing the appropriate code, this object was able to connect to the internet and, through the
connection of other wireless sensors, deliver valuable insights into each machine’s operational
performance such as:
● The machine’s physical location
● Room temperature & humidity level
● Machine temperature
● Coolant temperature
● Machine’s vibration
● How long the machine is idle or in use
● Cutting speeds and feeds
● Voltage/amperage draw
● Operational status
● Internal alarms
● Energy consumption
● Number of units in process, completed, failed
The original intention was for the sensor to be a product sold to manufacturers who were interested
in optimizing machine time by monitoring the status and collecting data on all their machines.
According to Warner, “We added the cutting edge magic that allowed MakeTime’s electronics to
communicate with the cloud. It was an exciting collaboration that revealed the potential of
understanding when and how devices are used.”
Using the software that CirrusMio helped develop, MakeTime made it possible for individuals or
companies to buy factory time by the hour from suppliers who have posted fixed rates and
availability, or post a request and negotiate with factories and machine owners bidding for the
job. Connecting buyers and sellers via a smart object, (in this case, computer numerical control
or CNC machines), participants can refine their search by machine type, required or available
hours, hourly rate, material type, and date range. MakeTime collects 15 percent of the supplier’s
fee for facilitating the transaction.
As Strakovsky explained, “We wanted to bring a focused solution to the fundamental
manufacturing challenge.” Previously, a great deal of complexity existed on both sides. In an
economy driven by manufacturing, MakeTime is now helping more people to quickly get their

4. goods on the market, while at the same time, optimizing machine operation and making
profitable use of idle hours.
A Strong Partnership
The CirrusMio team consists of developers, designers, and programmers with extensive
experience on both the client and the agency side, giving MakeTime the distinct advantage of
working with people who understand a project from both perspectives.
CirrusMio and MakeTime developed a solid working and interpersonal relationship from the very
beginning, which made for quick assessment of feedback and building of demos. “For start­up
companies, a quick turnaround from idea to implementation is vital for securing initial customers
and piquing investor interest,” Willey explained.
CirrusMio also understood start­up companies’ need for flexibility since they are still in the
process of gauging the market and responding to client and investor needs. Instead of using
strict roadmaps and specifications, CirrusMio provided a malleable platform and adapted to
MakeTime’s evolving requirements. In the end, they were able to push forward quickly, even
under uncertain conditions. This allowed plans to evolve and transform seamlessly as the
proposition came into focus.
Big Results Now & in the Future
Since launching in November 2014, MakeTime now represents more than $2.5 billion in
buyer­side demand and over 2 million hours of capacity on CNC machines. In addition, they
have recently announced a $2.65 million Series A round of funding allowing it to build on current
momentum with increased sales, marketing, and product efforts.
The project was a success on both sides. CirrusMio gained valuable insight into how other
industries are adopting technologies and deriving business value from monitoring their
operations. They were able to utilize their strongest skills (cloud software, Internet of Things,
and cloud operations) to build a solution that fit their client’s needs. “There aren’t many software
development houses in the area that we felt could deliver the results that CirrusMio did,”
Strakovsky said. “We wanted to share the intelligence space, create the prototype, and get the
idea up and running quickly. And CirrusMio’s speed and accessibility allowed us to do just that.”
About CirrusMio
CirrusMio is an IoT Professional Services firm comprised of an eclectic group of fun loving
hackers passionate about the Internet of Things revolution and the intersection of man,
machines and the environment. The company is currently experiencing rapid growth through
word­of­mouth referrals and a series of successful connected device projects including smart
digital signage for a global manufacturer of digital displays, connected appliances for a global
manufacturer of commercial and residential coffee brewing equipment, and a cloud based shop
floor machine remote monitoring solution.