FAQ for OEM Integration
Dracal’s MII (Modular Instrument Integration) solution is designed for manufacturers who wish to integrate our precision sensors into their own products. This FAQ addresses the most common questions from all stakeholders involved in an integration project: engineers, buyers, quality managers, IT teams, and management. At any stage, our team is available to answer your specific questions at support@dracal.com or sales@dracal.com.
Supply and availability
Do you ship in VCP (Virtual COM Port) mode?
Yes, we can ship in VCP mode if requested at the time of order. However, by default, the product is shipped in USB mode.
Is my specific product in stock? What is the typical stock level?
We maintain stock levels sufficient to cover our “normal” supply for several months. However, our policy is not to deplete our reserves for a few large “surprise” orders at the expense of all our other customers. As a general rule, orders of 30 units or fewer can be processed within 3 business days. For larger orders, it is advisable to contact us to obtain a customized delivery time.
What is the standard lead time? And in the case of an urgent order?
Generally speaking, a full production cycle takes between 8 and 12 weeks. In the case of an urgent order, Dracal can expedite the process somewhat (which, of course, involves additional costs) but only to a limited extent.
Can I arrange for stock reserved in my name at Dracal in exchange for a volume commitment or a deposit?
Yes, that is possible. Contact us to negotiate the terms.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for OEM prices?
There is no minimum quantity requirement. Volume discounts apply starting at 3 units and increase gradually based on the quantity ordered. Contact us for a pricing schedule tailored to your needs.
Am I required to purchase exclusively from Dracal, or are there authorized distributors?
We do have authorized partner distributors. We will also work with your preferred distributor if that makes things easier for you.
Do you offer long-term supply contracts with fixed prices?
Yes, with a signed contractual agreement allowing us to plan our supply accordingly, we can offer long-term supply contracts with fixed prices.
Product continuity and lifecycle management
Will my product be available in the long term? What is the guaranteed product lifespan?
Dracal’s offering is simple and sustainable. No USB sensors have been discontinued in years, and no such discontinuations are planned, as one of Dracal’s promises is that what works today will still work tomorrow. Less popular USB sensors are simply maintained in smaller quantities, but rarely discontinued.
What is your end-of-life (EOL) notification policy? How much advance notice will I receive?
If this were to happen, you would receive written notification several months in advance, along with a replacement strategy to help you make the transition.
What is your Product Change Notice (PCN) policy? Will I be informed if a component or subassembly changes?
Dracal reserves the right to make component substitutions to maintain product availability, provided that published specifications and applicable certifications remain unchanged. Any changes affecting performance, firmware, external appearance, or certifications will be subject to prior notice to active OEM partners.
Do you offer a made-to-order production service (end-of-life buy) for extended volumes?
In the event of a product discontinuation, Dracal is committed to providing reasonable advance notice to active MII partners and offering a final ordering period before production ceases.
Origin, manufacturing, and quality
Is final assembly performed in Canada? Which aspects of the production chain are under your direct control?
We handle all our own sourcing to ensure the quality of every component. Assembly is 100% performed in Canada. Every unit sold has been individually tested at our factory in Brossard, Quebec, Canada.
What are your internal quality control processes during production?
Each unit is individually tested before shipment. The checks vary depending on the type of sensor and cover the functional and measurement parameters specific to each product.
Do you offer traceability by batch or serial number?
Each unit is identified by a unique serial number. Our internal systems allow us to trace the original batch of the main components of each unit, ensuring complete production traceability.
Are your products RoHS/REACH compliant? Are material compliance declarations available?
Yes. You will find all documentation in the “Documentation” section of the product page.
Certifications and regulatory compliance
What certifications do your products hold?
Our products are CE certified and comply with RoHS and REACH requirements. Declarations of Conformity are available upon request.
Are Declarations of Conformity (DoC) and test reports available under an NDA?
Declarations of Conformity are available upon request. Detailed test reports can be shared under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
Does the CE marking cover my end use if I integrate the product into my own device? Do I need additional certification?
The CE marking and RoHS/REACH compliance of our products cover Dracal sensors as components. Integration into a final device is the responsibility of the device manufacturer, who must obtain the applicable certifications for their own product. Our declarations of conformity and test reports can facilitate this process. We recommend consulting an accredited certification body to assess the specific requirements for your application.
Does the CAL option include a calibration certificate traceable to a national standard (e.g., NRC/NIST)?
The CAL option means that the device is designed to be recalibrated in the future—the correction coefficients are stored directly in the device’s memory. It does not include a calibration certificate traceable to a national standard.
To obtain a traceable calibration certificate issued by our ISO 17025-accredited partner laboratory, it is available for purchase separately. For more details, see our FAQ on calibration and recalibration.
Do you offer a periodic ISO 17025-accredited recalibration service?
Yes. You can return your device to us for recalibration by our ISO 17025-accredited partner laboratory. The process is simple: contact us to obtain a tracking code, then purchase the certificate directly online. Upon receipt of your units, we will forward them to the partner laboratory for processing.
Note: Our DracalView recalibration software is free and cross-platform. Any laboratory with a USB port can, in principle, recalibrate our devices, giving you the flexibility to work with a laboratory of your choice. See also the current list of our partner laboratories.
Technical integration
Which operating systems are supported (Windows, macOS, Linux, embedded)?
Our products are compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, including Raspberry Pi. Compatibility with other embedded or industrial Linux systems depends on the availability of standard USB drivers on the target platform.
For environments where native USB communication is limited, the VCP option (Virtual COM Port) option allows you to simulate a standard serial port, facilitating integration into a wide variety of embedded and industrial systems. Contact us if you have a specific environment that needs to be validated.
Does VCP mode require a proprietary driver, or does it work with the system’s native drivers (CDC-ACM)?
In VCP mode, Dracal sensors are natively recognized by Windows, macOS, and Linux without the need to install a proprietary driver: they use the standard serial drivers included in the operating system (CDC-ACM). Only one initial step is required: converting from USB mode to VCP mode using the free ProtocolSwitcher tool included in DracalView. This step is performed only once and does not need to be repeated afterward.
Is there documentation for the VCP command set?
The command set available in VCP mode (INFO, POLL, PROTOCOL, RESET, etc.) is fully documented in our VCP option guide.
What development tools or SDKs are available to facilitate integration (Python, C/C++, LabVIEW, REST, MQTT)?
CLI, virtual serial port (VCP), REST API, MQTT, as well as code samples in Python, C/C++, C#, Java, Node.js, LabVIEW, and other languages are available for free. Check out our guide “Which integration tool do I need?” to identify the option best suited to your environment.
How does the product behave during hot-plugging?
Our sensors support hot-plugging without requiring any special handling.
Is there a stabilization time to observe at startup?
Like most precision sensors, our instruments require a thermal stabilization period after power-up before measurements reach their full accuracy. This period typically ranges from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the type of measurement. We recommend consulting the specific product datasheet for the values applicable to your application.
Is it possible to obtain a custom configuration (e.g., sampling frequency, units, measurement ranges) for production?
Yes. It is possible to receive your units preconfigured in VCP mode directly upon delivery: simply indicate this on your purchase order or in the notes section of your online order. For orders of significant volume, additional custom configurations
Is there a mechanism for updating the firmware in the field (OTA or USB)?
Our products do not currently have a mechanism for updating the firmware in the field. The stability and maturity of our instruments have not made this necessary to date.
Can the VCP option and the CAL option be combined on the same unit?
Yes, both options can be combined. The product model number reflects the selected options: the prefix VCP- indicates the presence of the virtual serial port option, and the suffix -CAL indicates the presence of the recalibration option. A product equipped with both options will therefore be formatted as VCP-******-CAL.
Do you offer access to a test or simulation environment to validate integration before receiving the physical units?
We do not currently offer a simulation environment or virtual unit. Integration validation is performed using the physical test unit.
Warranty and support
What is the duration and scope of the warranty (parts, labor, advance replacement)?
Our products are covered by a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects. In the event of a failure, we will promptly replace the unit: as soon as the defect is confirmed and we receive your return tracking number, a replacement unit will be shipped immediately. Damage caused by misuse is excluded from the warranty.
What is the RMA (Return Material Authorization) process?
To initiate a return, contact our team at support@dracal.com. We first conduct a remote assessment (questions about the installation, screenshots, and photos) to diagnose the problem as quickly as possible. If the defect is confirmed, we will provide you with a return code to include in the package when returning the product. As soon as we receive your tracking number confirming that the unit is on its way, we will immediately schedule the shipment of a replacement unit.
We take every return very seriously: our return rate is extremely low, and every returned unit undergoes a systematic analysis to ensure the continued quality of our products.
Do you offer dedicated technical support for OEM/MII accounts? What is the contact channel and guaranteed response time?
Yes. Our technical support covers integration-related questions as well as requests for documentation for highly regulated environments (e.g., FDA). Email us at support@dracal.com: a member of our team will respond within 24 business hours.
Is there in-depth technical documentation (datasheets, integration guides, etc.) available exclusively to MII partners?
Comprehensive technical documentation is available for all our products: datasheets, integration guides, code samples, case studies, and tutorials. All of these resources are accessible directly on the product pages and in the Support section of our website.
Commercial and legal framework
Do you offer a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for the evaluation phase and in-depth technical discussions?
Yes. We can provide our own non-disclosure agreement or sign your organization’s agreement, depending on your preference. Please contact us at support@dracal.com to request one.
Is there a formalized OEM contract covering pricing, volumes, timelines, and continuity?
We do not offer a standardized OEM contract. The terms (pricing, volumes, timelines, and configurations) are discussed and tailored to each partner based on their specific needs. Contact us to start the conversation.
Do you offer white-label or product customization options?
Our products are not available as white-label products or with custom product designs.
What is the pricing policy in the event of fluctuations in component costs? Are contract prices protected for a specific period?
Signed pricing agreements are honored for their agreed-upon duration. Outside of a formal agreement, our prices are reviewed annually in January based on market conditions. In the event of an exceptional geopolitical situation significantly affecting production costs, Dracal reserves the right to adjust its prices outside of this usual cycle.
Which jurisdiction and which law govern commercial contracts?
Unless otherwise specified in a signed agreement, commercial relationships with Dracal are governed by the laws of the Province of Quebec, Canada.
What are your standard payment terms for OEM accounts?
We offer NET30 payment terms for qualified OEM accounts. To apply, contact us at sales@dracal.com to obtain the application form.
Initial evaluation
What does the MII evaluation unit include? Are the VCP and CAL options included?
The MII evaluation unit is a standard production instrument (identical to the units shipped as standard) equipped with the VCP and CAL options. These options are enabled at the factory prior to shipment. By default, the unit is shipped in USB mode; conversion to VCP mode is performed using our free ProtocolSwitcher tool included in DracalView.
For volume orders, you can request delivery with the unit preconfigured in VCP mode. Simply indicate this on your purchase order.
Is the integration documentation available before you even receive the evaluation unit?
Yes, all of our technical documentation is publicly available on our website even before you receive your evaluation unit: datasheets, integration guides, code samples, tutorials, and case studies. You can start your integration analysis today by visiting the product pages and the Support section of our site.
What is the typical path from the evaluation phase to an initial production contract? What steps need to be taken?
The steps below describe the typical process, but you don’t have to go through them alone. At any stage, even before purchasing the evaluation unit, our team is available to answer your questions. Email us at support@dracal.com or sales@dracal.com and you’ll receive a prompt response from a member of our team.
- Research and documentation Most of our partners start by thoroughly reading our online documentation before even contacting us. Everything is publicly available so you can assess the suitability of our products without wasting time. The comprehensive nature of this documentation also allows you to quickly get help using the generative AI tools of your choice.
- Purchase of the evaluation unit Once convinced of the technical suitability, the customer purchases an evaluation unit equipped with the VCP and CAL options.
- Integration and development The unit is connected, data is read via DracalView, and then integration is developed using the available tools and code examples. Our technical team responds quickly to questions so as not to slow down your development.
- Moving to Production Once the prototype has been approved, contact us at sales@dracal.com to request a quote based on your order volume. You’ll generate a purchase order, and we’ll get started.
Next Steps
The best way to evaluate how our sensors integrate into your product is to get your hands on a unit. Check out the MII solution to see what it includes, then purchase your evaluation unit directly from our online store. If you have any questions before getting started, email us at sales@dracal.com: you’ll receive a prompt response from a member of our team.
La meilleure façon d’évaluer l’intégration de nos capteurs dans votre produit est de mettre une unité entre vos mains. Consultez la solution MII pour comprendre ce qu’elle inclut, puis achetez votre unité d’évaluation directement sur notre boutique en ligne. Si vous avez des questions avant de vous lancer, écrivez-nous à sales@dracal.com: vous recevrez une réponse rapide d’un membre de notre équipe.
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