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Innovation is driving the future of technology, shaping the landscape of industries, and transforming how businesses operate. Innovative visionaries with strategic foresight are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in IIoT and digital transformation.
One such visionary is David Smith of BlackPearl Technology. Through his role as Co-Founder and VP of Innovation, he ensures BlackPearl remains at the forefront of technological advancement, continuously anticipating market needs and delivering groundbreaking solutions.
David recently shared insights into life as a leader in innovation and how to use it to champion client advancement while facilitating growth within your own company.
Question: Can you briefly describe what the role of the Vice President of Innovation entails? How does it align with BlackPearl’s mission and objectives?
“This role is all about being the creative force within the company. It’s about understanding the market, anticipating customer needs, and predicting future trends. Essentially, the VP of Innovation is tasked with identifying the next big thing that will transform both the market and our industry.”
“This role requires a blend of intuition and the ability to connect countless dots from various conversations and information sources. It's about sensing opportunities and thinking creatively about how to meet emerging needs with transformative solutions. Innovation means breaking away from traditional approaches and daring to create something new.”
“Without innovation, BlackPearl would be just another manufacturing or engineering service company. Innovation is what helps us drive repeat business through customer-focused advancements and attract new business with cutting-edge products.”
Question: Innovation is at the core of BlackPearl’s purpose. Can you describe how you foster a culture of relentless innovation across the organization?
“It’s about inspiring and exciting people. It's about encouraging our team to think beyond the obvious and embrace the excitement of creating something truly different. We don't just stick to the status quo; we empower our team to explore broader possibilities and potential.”
“By opening their eyes to what’s possible, our team members start generating their own ideas. Even the most unconventional ideas often hold valuable insights waiting to be uncovered. We focus on those nuggets of potential and nurture them into impactful innovations. When employees see their ideas respected and considered, it fuels their excitement and commitment.”
“We emphasize to everyone that they have the power to make a significant impact—not just on our company, but in their own professional journeys. By continually reinforcing their value and the difference they can make, we help them grow their skills and stay motivated to contribute to our innovative culture.”
Question: Can you walk through the process of how an innovative idea or concept evolves into a fully developed IIoT solution?
“It all starts with identifying a need. This can come from listening to a customer or observing industry trends. You have to think about how current technologies and methods can be applied or adapted to meet this need. The initial phase is somewhat magical—imagining possibilities and conceptualizing solutions that leverage existing technologies in new ways. After that, we design, prototype, test, and perfect the product.”
“For example, with our latest innovation—the Zephyr—a customer came to us needing a Class 1 Division 1, low-power, multi-sensor wireless gauge. Leveraging our existing line of modular IIoT edge devices, we brainstormed how to integrate advanced connectivity and resilient housing while considering expandability, reusability, and reconfigurability. We visualized the elements needed for the solution and collaborated with our mechanical team to focus on ease of access and use. For instance, we designed the battery to be easily replaceable with a simple twist, ensuring long-term usability.”
“Once the concept was clear, we moved to prototyping. We used 3D printing and quick-turn boards to see how everything fits together. Within weeks, we had refined the design with top-of-the-line components. As we got closer to customer delivery, our software and firmware teams worked on making everything cohesive.”
“Throughout this process, we conducted extensive testing—from initial prototyping to final production. We tested for temperature variations, static voltage impact, and physical durability, which prompted adjustments like enhanced cable security and robust component design.”
“Whether it's the Zephyr or another IIoT solution, innovative development involves a gradual ramp-up from conceptualization to full-speed production with continuous testing and refinement throughout.”
Question: How do you navigate the balance between pushing technological boundaries and ensuring practical, scalable solutions for clients?
“It’s a constant challenge and a topic our leadership team brings up with me regularly. I tend to dive into ‘what if’ scenarios and start building exciting things before there's a clear path to a practical client solution. Many great ideas fail because they lack a clear focus on their purpose.”
“Staying focused on the ‘why behind our innovations helps us push technological boundaries while still developing practical, scalable solutions that meet our clients' needs. Our top priority is ensuring our clients have reliable solutions that make their jobs easier and their companies more profitable.”
“It's also important to have someone who keeps the innovators grounded—like a rudder on a ship. Without it, we could be swayed by every new idea. Having someone in our company who helps focus our development efforts ensures we don’t get lost in our innovative imaginations.”
Question: In your experience, what are some key traits or skills that are essential for someone aiming to lead innovation in a technology-driven company like BlackPearl?
“An open mind and a creative spirit are first and foremost. Innovation means constantly thinking outside the box and being open to new ideas and perspectives. A genuine love for the creative process is another must. Even if I had $100 million in the bank, I’d still be doing this because it’s what I love. You need to have a passion for making things and a deep-seated drive to create, like the Michelangelo of tech.”
“Always wanting to learn something new is also vital. I teach myself new things every week, even if I'm not great at them. This curiosity and willingness to get hands-on with different aspects—whether it's software, hardware, or mechanical work—are important for driving innovation. Being willing to get your hands dirty, break things, and fix things is key. It's about experimenting and seeing what's possible, even if it means working outside your primary area of expertise. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with creating mosquito traps using CO2 generated from a mixture of sugar, yeast, and water. While this has nothing to do with my role at BlackPearl, it fuels my curiosity and creativity.”
“Innovators must also have the persistence to keep tinkering and a playful approach to problem-solving. This often means trying unconventional methods and being unafraid of failure. My wife often shakes her head at my seemingly outlandish experiments, but it's this willingness to experiment that can lead to unique and innovative solutions.”
Question: What excites you the most about the future of IIoT and technological innovation within industrial industries?
“Most IIoT devices are still using commodity products that are not ruggedized, resilient, or secure. This vulnerability presents a significant and exciting opportunity for innovation.”
“I anticipate a major push to harden the technology being deployed. As reliability issues continue to surface, there will be a concerted effort to revamp and strengthen the technology used in IIoT. True innovation in this area requires a comprehensive approach, ensuring that security extends all the way down to the microcontroller and chip level.”
“The exciting part is leading this transformation and setting new standards for reliability and security in IIoT. This focus on robust, secure, and resilient technology will drive significant advancements and open up new possibilities for innovation within industrial businesses.”
BlackPearl Technology exemplifies what it means to prioritize relentless innovation and customer satisfaction. Businesses ready to embrace the future and collaborate on transformative projects will find a dedicated partner in BlackPearl.
Connect today to explore how innovative IIoT solutions can optimize your operations and elevate your success.
