#062 - How a hardware SaaS company wants to help you not get lost in your data during product development, with Michael Corr of Duro Labs, USA

The Hardware Entrepreneur · 26 Sept 2018 · 54m

What this episode covers

Michael Corr, co-founder and CEO of Duro Labs, explains how his cloud-based SaaS tool helps hardware companies manage product data from prototype to production, addressing the inefficiencies of using Excel or antiquated PLM systems like SAP and Oracle. He discusses the gap between rapid prototyping technologies like 3D printing and the slow, manual nature of mass production, arguing that digitizing supplier interactions and implementing version control for CAD files are critical for agile hardware development. Corr also shares personal advice on networking and the importance of process in scaling startups, drawing on his 20-year background in telecom, IoT, and clean tech.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 23m

    Product Lifecycle Management with Michael Corr

    Michael Corr, founder and CEO of Duro Labs, explains how Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software can streamline hardware development by integrating CAD, bill of materials, and supply chain data. He argues that legacy PLM systems are too complex for early-stage teams, leading many to use error-prone spreadsheets, and positions Duro as an out-of-the-box solution that automates engineering change orders and supplier communication. Corr highlights specific pain points like part shortages and binary CAD file formats, which cause costly PCB respins and delays, and advocates for open APIs to reduce friction between engineers, distributors, and manufacturers.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 27m

    Cloud-based hardware: The next data revolution

    Michael Corr, Founder and CEO of Duro Labs, explains why hardware companies must adopt cloud-based PLM and API-driven workflows to overcome the inefficiencies of legacy on-premise software. He details how manual data transfer between siloed tools like CAD and ERP creates significant risk and cost, arguing that cloud security is now a commodity that eliminates the need for in-house expertise. Corr also highlights the business opportunity of using connected platforms to instantly access supplier data and parts availability, which helps engineers make better design decisions during shortages.

  • Product Startup · 32m

    122: Modern Methods for New Product Development

    John McEleney, Co-Founder and CEO of Onshape, explains how cloud-based 3D CAD software enables hardware startups to iterate faster and achieve product-market fit. He contrasts Onshape’s real-time collaboration and version control with legacy desktop systems like SolidWorks, highlighting how features like branching and FeatureScript reduce friction in the design process. McEleney emphasizes that modern tools allow teams to get prototypes into customer hands quickly to observe usage, rather than relying on static file exchanges. The discussion covers the shift from local installation to cloud-native platforms, enabling parallel workflows and agile product development for small teams and large enterprises alike.

  • OnTrack · 41m

    AI-Powered PLM: The Future of Hardware Product Lifecycle Management

    Michael Corr, CEO and founder of Duro, explains how his cloud-based PLM platform simplifies hardware product lifecycle management by centralizing bill of materials (BOM) data and integrating with supply chain APIs like Octopart and Nexar. He details the transition from traditional, complex legacy PLM systems to a simplified, opinionated tool that enforces best practices to reduce production errors. The conversation highlights the use of AI to automate data normalization, analyze change orders, and optimize Design for Manufacturing (DFM) by leveraging tribal knowledge. Corr also discusses Duro's Vendor Integration Engine (DVE), which connects directly to contract manufacturers for instant quoting and ordering of PCBAs.

  • OnTrack · 31m

    Altium & Duro: The PLM Software Built for Hardware Startups

    Michael Corr, founder and CEO of Duro, explains why Altium acquired his cloud-based PLM platform to help hardware startups and small engineering teams manage product data without heavy IT overhead. He details how the Altium Designer plugin publishes library parts and full projects into Duro with part numbers and revision status, while the deeper integration within Altium 365 allows seamless switching between the two interfaces. Corr also highlights Duro's new AI agents that act as RF, mechanical DFM, and supply chain specialists to review change orders for teams that cannot hire those specialized roles. Finally, he emphasizes Duro's API-first architecture, which is designed to be easily consumed by AI coding agents to build custom integrations and extensions.

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