Running Head: MANUFACTURING SOLAR-POWERED CELL PHONES 2
Manufacturing solar-powered cell phones
Name
Institution
Introduction
Technology is becoming the architect of the future developments in every sector of humanity. Innovations are the heart of technology advancement. It is said that the world is becoming a global village, but today, it is inarguable that the prospective village is becoming interconnected into personal relations. Today, a business person from South Africa can call a supplier from Canada and strike a business deal in less than 24 hours with no need for an intermediary. Even with the advanced mobile telephony technology, innovations are still digging deeper to enhance convenience among the consumers in terms of product reliability, availability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. With the growing greenhouse impacts on the environment, there is an equivalent increase in the demand for green energy sources. These are among the measures approved for environmental conservation. Solar energy is inarguably the most convenient renewable source of power. In this regard, many solar-powered devices have been developed over time. With the lucrative telephony industry, creating solar-powered cell phones is becoming the future goals of most technology companies (Palumbo, 2014). The latest innovations in solar energy make it a versatile technology that can be applied in numerous ways.
An example is the thin film panel’s technology, which has led to the development of solar-powered phones. However, the current solar-powered cell phones are expensive and can only sustain a limited battery power. Fortunately, with the fast rate of technological advancement, more innovations are getting closer to filling the gaps (Sangani, 2007). In this business strategy, we unveil a plan to manufacture many capable cell phones that are solar-powered.
Background
Smartphones are the trending features of the latest cell phone technology. With the ability to support many mobile applications, smartphones require a large battery capacity to sustain the functions, apart from the smashing features of the smartphone screens, faster draining of the lithium-ion batteries. In fact, with the latest smartphone technology, lithium-ion batteries. With that, the idea of utilizing the energy offered by the sun proves to the future of technology innovations. Following this, many firms, including big companies in the technology industry, are coming up with the best ways of maximizing the potential in solar energy for technology development. For instance, manufacturers like Apple and Samsung are strategizing on the solar energy application on mobile devices.
While developing solar-powered cell phones becomes a lucrative technology project, understanding the history of the solar-powered smartphones is essential. In going by history, Samsung was the first player to launch the solar-powered phone in 2009. The first solar-powered phone, commonly referred to as Guru E1107, was designed to solve frequent power outages. However, the challenge was the time duration the battery could support after solar recharging. In other words, Solar panel on the phone was just applied as a back-up for the battery, but not as a primary charging technology (Hopkins, 2019). Besides, the efficiency of solar technology used was quite low, thus appeared not to solve the problem.
It seems Samsung provided the stepping stone for more companies to establish solar technology into mobile devices. Since the launch of the first solar-powered phone, many companies have since ventured into solar-powered tech. Nokia is among the top companies to have developed solar-powered devices. However, one significant challenge encountered is that the back cover size is quite limited, thus, restricting the capacity of the recharge power accessed.
Nevertheless, with innovation, light is still at the end of the tunnel. The partnership between Sunpartner Technologies and Kyocera has led to the development of more promising solar-powered smartphones. The last two years have revealed tremendous progress in the solar-powered phones. The two companies’ latest design includes the panel at the screening phase rather than the back cover. This implies that the phone could actually be recharging while it is still used. Besides, the future improvement desired in the solar-powered smartphones should address the battery life while maintaining the phone’s popular smart designs. In this regard, photovoltaic technology is developed by technology companies. This technology can transfer any surface into a solar panel. Therefore, regardless of the surface color, solar rays can be absorbed. Photovoltaic energy material contains organic molecules that can absorb both infra-red and ultra-violet rays. Besides, the technology acts as a semi-conductor, which enhances the direct conversion of photons into electrical energy (Xue et al. 2004). This will overtake the current solar panel understanding that surfaces must be black to absorb sunlight. The mobile devices market is yet to enjoy the application of this technology despite the tremendous development in photovoltaic panel technology. This strategic plan envisages how photovoltaic technology has been applied to improve the solar-powered cell phones. Solar-powered cell phones developed to enhance the efficiency of solar energy absorption and increase battery life after solar recharge.
Opportunity
Solar-powered cell phones have numerous applications in the telephony industry. The current smartphone technology consists of several apps that demand more power. It is, therefore, necessary to develop measures of sustaining the power demand by smartphones. The mains electric power may not be reliable enough to support the smartphone battery away from the source. Secondly, all mobile devices rely on electric power. However, not all places in all countries are connected with power. With civilization being at its high level, there is an increasing demand for smartphones. Following this, people living in places with poor electricity connectivity are less privileged to obtain maximum benefit from their smartphones. Therefore, the introduction of solar-powered cell phones breaks the gap that exists in electrical power connectivity. As a result, there will be increased access to information, enhancing creativity and innovation. Since smartphones are changing the dynamics of many businesses, there is an increased need for power continuity (Zukor et al. 2013). Today, there are many online businesses, learning, and teaching that are executed using smartphones. However, power outages witnessed in most countries subjects most smartphone users into offline modes. In this regard, most users will be inconvenient. Therefore, solar-powered cell phones will correct the inconveniences that result from the power outages. Besides, the 21st century is faced with challenges, including climate change. The UN, under the eight-millennium goals, has placed strategies for environmental conservation. Among these strategies are promoting uses of green energy. Solar power-cell phones are part of the millennium development goals to help environmental protection.
Strategic plan
Product features
The company plans to manufacture the solar-powered cell phones that utilized photovoltaic technology. The technology enables the phone to charge from sunlight. The phone screen is coated with a photovoltaic technology that absorbs sunlight upon exposure. The light energy is converted to electrical power by the photo-electric process. The phone will be designed with a solar battery that stores electrical energy. According to the tested sample, the phone battery will be expected to last for at least 5 hours of talk time. This will be the most extended duration ever for the solar-powered cell phones. Nonetheless, the phone will be designed with a compact structure. Besides, the solar-powered cell phone will be designed with monochrome black color and incorporated with sock resistant casing. Therefore, the smartphone provides luxury with its innovative exclusive.
Target Customers
The company targets customers living in areas with poor connectivity of electricity. According to research, Africa has the largest population of people living in an insufficient electricity power connection (Zukor et al. 2013). Therefore, this will be the primary target market. Secondly, solar-powered cell phones will be convenient in other countries that experience frequent power outages.
Sales Channels
Penetrating the dominated market with a new product requires strategic marketing mechanisms to achieve sales. The company will utilize several sales channels. First and foremost, the company will apply for ecommerce. Ecommerce will enable the company to reach many potential customers within a short time and get essential feedback on time. Secondly, the company will involve sales outsourcing. This is whereby the company signs a contract with a third party to market and sell the product on the company’s behalf. This will help penetrate the markets outside the company location (Chakravarthy & Perlmutter. 1992). The method will be essential in overcoming cultural barriers such as language and other local traditions. Direct sales and marketing are among the techniques the company will use to reach potential buyers. This will assist the company in getting first-hand feedback about the customers. As a result, the company will identify the features appreciated by the customers and those criticized. Besides, imports and exports will be the primary sales channels for both the company products and the raw materials for manufacturing processes.
Pricing strategy
With the awareness of the dominated smartphone market, the company will adopt two pricing strategies. Penetration pricing will be used to attract the attention of the customers on the new solar-powered smartphone. Although the company might lose more based on this method, more awareness and appeal will be created to start the business. Furthermore, value-based methods will be applied to guarantee the value of the solar-powered smartphone among the customers.
Corporate and brand image
The company has adopted cost-effectiveness and environmental friendly ideology in its branding and identity. The creative elements in the brand include low operational cost and love for nature. The brand identity consists of the sun rays in the morning, symbolizing hope for the customers who cannot access the regular power supply.
Requirements for Suppliers
The company has an established commercial department which takes charge of recruiting staff, assessing the company purchases, and overseeing the tender process. All suppliers are required to apply through the Commercial department head. Among the essential requirements include a license for current practice and the evidence of past performance in practice.
Requirements for Assembly Factory
Assembly Factories are the key partners for our company. Like the suppliers, the engagement requirements include a current practice license and evidence of past performance in Solar-powered technology.
Impact of Revenues and costs
As a starting company, more expenses will be incurred in operation, starting with manufacturing, marketing, and selling. The initial projection of the capital is not less than $1000000. Among this, about 700000 will cater for the purchase and establishment of the manufacturing material. The revenue projected is nearly 170% of the operational costs.
Conclusion
The current smartphone technology consists of several applications that demand more power. It is, therefore, necessary to develop measures of sustaining the power demand by smartphones. The mains electric power may not be reliable enough to support the smartphone battery away from the source. Therefore, the introduction of solar-powered cell phones breaks the gap that exists in electrical power connectivity. As a result, there will be increased access to information, enhancing creativity and innovation. The implementation of our company’s strategic plan will help achieve efficient solar-powered smartphones.
References
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