Technology Due Diligence
Independent executive assessment of a product, platform or manufacturing partner's real technical position.
- — Hardware & firmware
- — API & cloud architecture
- — Certification & lifecycle
- — Commercial suitability
Asia Technology & Manufacturing Intelligence
Independent Technology & Manufacturing Advisory Across Asia
Strategic Tracking is retained by boards and executive teams as their independent advisor on tracking technology, IoT and connected hardware across Asia — technology due diligence, manufacturing strategy, supplier validation and supply chain intelligence.
- Asia
- Active presence across key technology manufacturing hubs
- 0%
- Commission taken from manufacturers
- 100%
- Retained directly by the client
- IoT
- Specialists in tracking and connected hardware
Why organisations retain us
Better technology, manufacturing and supply chain decisions across Asia
Strategic Tracking advises organisations developing, sourcing or evaluating tracking technology and connected hardware. We are not a sourcing agent and we do not sell products — we provide the independent regional intelligence and technical judgement that executive decisions require.
- Technology due diligence
- Manufacturing strategy
- Supplier validation
- Commercial risk assessment
- Partner identification
- Technology scouting
- Supply chain intelligence
- Manufacturing diversification
On the ground in China
We are physically inside the factories we assess
These are unedited photographs from recent Strategic Tracking work in China — an SMT production and assembly audit at a manufacturer in Suzhou, component traceability checks in the goods store, partner meetings, and market work in Shanghai. Every assessment we deliver is based on first-hand observation of the lines, the test benches and the people running them, not a video call or a supplier brochure.
First-hand observation, not second-hand assurance
Audits, capability reviews and partner meetings are conducted in person by Matthew Holland. Client identities and findings remain confidential — the photographs above are shared with permission of the host facilities.
Discuss a factory visitRegional coverage
Across Asia's leading technology manufacturing ecosystems
Strategic Tracking undertakes regular engagements across Asia's leading electronics and manufacturing centres, maintaining an active presence across key technology manufacturing hubs rather than operating from a single location.
That regional view matters: the right answer for a connected hardware product is increasingly a combination of markets rather than a single country.
Greater China
Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou and Hong Kong — the deepest electronics ecosystem in Asia.
Vietnam
Growing electronics assembly capability and a central pillar of China +1 strategies.
Malaysia
Established electronics and semiconductor manufacturing with mature export capability.
Singapore
Regional headquarters, advanced manufacturing, finance and technology innovation.
Advisory services
Where independent advice changes the outcome
Manufacturing Strategy
Where a product should be built across Asia, and how to structure it for resilience.
- — China +1 strategy
- — Country comparison
- — Diversification options
- — Market access view
Supplier Validation
Evidence-led validation of a manufacturing partner's capability, credibility and commercial fit.
- — Capability assessment
- — Compliance review
- — Capacity & continuity
- — Written findings
Technology & Supply Chain Risk Assessment
Commercial and technology risk evaluated before a supplier relationship is committed to.
- — Dependency mapping
- — Firmware & data ownership
- — Continuity planning
- — Resilience view
Partner Identification & Technology Scouting
Identification of credible manufacturing, technology and commercial partners across Asia.
- — Ecosystem mapping
- — Qualified shortlist
- — Emerging technology scan
- — Comparative assessment
Market & Supply Chain Intelligence
Structured regional intelligence on suppliers, technologies and manufacturing trends.
- — Emerging suppliers
- — Competitor monitoring
- — Innovation tracking
- — Regional developments
Manufacturing strategy
Where should your product actually be manufactured?
China? Vietnam? Malaysia? A multi-country strategy? We help executive teams answer that question against their own product, volumes, certification markets and risk tolerance — not against a generic cost model.
China +1 strategy
Retaining Chinese capability while qualifying an additional country as a parallel base.
Manufacturing resilience
Designing manufacturing arrangements that survive disruption, tariffs and single-country risk.
Supplier diversification
Qualifying credible alternatives before dependency becomes exposure.
Market access
Aligning manufacturing location with certification, tariff and target-market requirements.
Technology due diligence
What we assess before you commit
Connected hardware decisions fail on software, lifecycle and integration far more often than on the device itself. Technology due diligence examines the whole picture.
Hardware capability
Design competence, build quality and manufacturability against your specification.
Firmware
Maturity, ownership, update and security patching process for deployed devices.
API maturity
Documentation quality, stability, rate limits and real integration readiness.
Cloud architecture
Platform design, hosting location, data ownership and operational resilience.
Roadmap & lifecycle
Product direction, component availability and end-of-life exposure.
Certification
Which approvals exist, for which exact model, valid in which markets.
Integration readiness
How realistically the technology fits your existing stack and processes.
Commercial suitability
Whether the technology is a sound long-term commercial fit, not just a technical one.
Findings are delivered as technical observations and a commercial suitability judgement. Detailed assessment frameworks are shared with clients following qualification.
Technology & supply chain risk
The risks worth understanding before a supplier relationship begins
These are commercial and technology risks, evaluated from a business perspective. Strategic Tracking is an advisory practice, not a cybersecurity consultancy — the objective is to make exposure visible to decision-makers early enough to act on.
RISK
Supplier dependency
Concentration on a single manufacturer, cluster or country, and what a disruption would actually cost.
RISK
Firmware ownership
Who owns and controls the software in your device, and what happens if the relationship ends.
RISK
Cloud hosting & data sovereignty
Where platform data is stored and processed, and whether that satisfies your customers and regulators.
RISK
Cybersecurity considerations
Update mechanisms, credential handling and device management assessed as commercial risk, not as a security audit.
RISK
Product lifecycle
Component availability, last-time-buy exposure and the cost of a forced redesign.
RISK
Export restrictions
Regulatory and trade exposure affecting components, technology and destination markets.
RISK
Resilience & continuity
Second-source readiness, transferability of tooling and documentation, recovery timelines.
Independent advisory
Independent advice matters
Strategic Tracking works for clients — not manufacturers.
Technical suitability
Whether the technology genuinely does what your product and customers require.
Commercial fit
Whether the arrangement stands up commercially over the life of the product.
Risk
What could go wrong, how exposed you would be, and what mitigates it.
Long-term partnership potential
Whether this is a relationship worth building, or a transaction to limit.
No supplier commissions
Recommendations are based on technical suitability, commercial fit, risk and long-term partnership potential — never on supplier commissions. Strategic Tracking is retained and paid by the client, and takes no payment of any kind from manufacturers. That independence is what allows the recommendation to be “do not proceed”.
Who we help
Sectors and decision-makers we advise
Cold Chain
Medical Devices
Pharmaceutical Logistics
Asset Tracking
Industrial IoT
BLE
GPS
Sensors
Supply Chain
Manufacturing
Who we typically work with
- CEOs
- COOs
- CTOs
- Innovation Directors
- Procurement Directors
- Product Managers
- Supply Chain Directors
Engagements are strategic rather than transactional. Organisations retain us at the point of a significant technology, manufacturing or partner decision — not to buy product at the lowest available price.
Typical engagements
Representative examples of our work
Client and counterparty identities are always withheld. The examples below illustrate the type of work Strategic Tracking is retained to do.
ENGAGEMENT
Technology due diligence on a connected hardware platform ahead of an investment decision.
ENGAGEMENT
Manufacturing strategy review comparing Greater China and Southeast Asian options for a logistics technology business.
ENGAGEMENT
Independent supplier validation for a cold chain monitoring programme.
ENGAGEMENT
Comparative technology assessment of competing asset tracking devices before a platform commitment.
ENGAGEMENT
Supply chain risk and dependency assessment for an industrial IoT product line.
ENGAGEMENT
Partner identification and technology scouting across Asian electronics manufacturing hubs.
How we work
Four steps, from first conversation to recommendation
- 01
Strategic Discovery Call
A confidential conversation to understand your objectives, technology and risk exposure.
- 02
Confidential Proposal
A written proposal setting out objectives, scope, deliverables and commercial terms.
- 03
Regional Engagement
Independent work across the relevant Asian technology and manufacturing hubs.
- 04
Findings & Recommendations
An executive assessment with evidence, options and a clear recommendation.
Typical deliverables
What you receive
Executive findings
A concise assessment written for board and executive decision-makers.
Technology assessment
Independent judgement on capability, maturity and integration readiness.
Risk assessment
Dependency, continuity and commercial exposure, made explicit.
Strategic options
Manufacturing and partner options with the trade-offs of each.
Commercial view
Where the commercial position is strong, weak or negotiable.
Recommended next steps
A sequenced action plan aligned to your decision timeline.
Engagement models
Ways to work with Strategic Tracking
Engagements are tailored to the technical complexity, travel requirements and scope of each project. A confidential proposal follows the strategic discovery call.
Advisory Consultation
- Typical objectives
- Pressure-test a technology, manufacturing or partner decision with an independent view.
- Typical deliverables
- Structured advisory session and a written summary of findings and options.
- Typical outcomes
- A clearer decision, with risks and alternatives made explicit.
Supplier Validation Programme
- Typical objectives
- Establish whether a prospective manufacturing partner is genuinely capable and credible.
- Typical deliverables
- Independent validation assessment covering capability, compliance and commercial fit.
- Typical outcomes
- A proceed, negotiate or decline recommendation supported by evidence.
Technology Due Diligence
- Typical objectives
- Understand the real technical and commercial position of a product, platform or target.
- Typical deliverables
- Executive due diligence assessment across hardware, firmware, platform and lifecycle.
- Typical outcomes
- Confidence to invest, integrate or walk away.
Asia Market Intelligence
- Typical objectives
- Build an informed view of suppliers, technologies and manufacturing options across Asia.
- Typical deliverables
- Regional intelligence briefing with shortlisted opportunities and observations.
- Typical outcomes
- A regional strategy grounded in current market reality.
Dedicated Regional Representation
- Typical objectives
- Maintain continuous, independent representation across Asia without regional headcount.
- Typical deliverables
- Ongoing representation in technical and commercial discussions, with regular reporting.
- Typical outcomes
- Executive-level presence in the region on a retained basis.
Ongoing advisory retainers
Recurring advisory support across Asia
For organisations with a continuing interest in the region, retained advisory provides regular independent input rather than a single point-in-time report.
Quarterly Manufacturing Review
A recurring review of manufacturing partners, performance, risk and alternatives.
Technology Intelligence
Ongoing briefing on emerging tracking, sensing and connected hardware technology.
Supplier Monitoring
Continuous monitoring of incumbent and alternative manufacturing partners.
Competitive Intelligence
Structured observation of competing products and technologies across the region.
Asia Market Updates
Regular updates on regional manufacturing, regulatory and market developments.
Partner Search
Continuous identification of new manufacturing, technology and commercial partners.
Confidentiality
Trusted with confidential projects
Strategic Tracking regularly works with new product concepts, emerging technologies, commercial negotiations and supplier evaluations.
All engagements remain confidential unless permission is given. Nothing on this page identifies a client, a manufacturing partner or a live project.
- NDAs welcomed and signed before technical detail is shared
- Client identities never published or used as public references
- Findings and introductions remain your commercial property
- No conflicting engagements taken without disclosure
Insights
Straight answers to the questions executives actually ask
How do I evaluate an electronics manufacturer?
Assess four layers together rather than in isolation. Legal: the registered entity, its scope of business and its export history. Physical: independent confirmation that the lines, equipment and engineering staff for your product category genuinely exist. Technical: quality procedures, test capability, in-house design competence and certification issued for your exact model in the manufacturer's own name. Commercial: capacity against your volumes, warranty and failure-rate evidence, IP and tooling ownership, and financial stability. A manufacturer that passes on documents but fails on independent verification is the most common failure mode.
Should I manufacture in China or Vietnam?
It depends on the product, not on headline labour cost. Greater China retains the deepest electronics component ecosystem, the widest supplier choice for GNSS, cellular IoT and BLE hardware, and the fastest engineering iteration. Vietnam and Malaysia offer tariff and geopolitical diversification, growing electronics assembly capability, and increasingly credible EMS partners, but a thinner local component base — meaning many sub-assemblies are still imported from China. For complex connected hardware, the practical answer is often a phased approach: develop and prove in Greater China, then qualify a second-source assembly partner in Southeast Asia once the design is stable.
What is China +1?
China +1 is a manufacturing strategy in which an organisation keeps its established Chinese production while qualifying at least one additional country — commonly Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand or India — as a parallel or backup manufacturing base. The aim is resilience rather than exit: reducing exposure to tariffs, export restrictions, single-country disruption and concentration risk, while preserving the component ecosystem and engineering depth that Greater China provides.
How do I reduce manufacturing risk?
Reduce dependency and increase visibility. Qualify a credible second source before you need one; separate design ownership from the manufacturer where possible; secure firmware source or a maintained escrow arrangement; confirm where cloud data is hosted and who controls it; verify certification for your target markets in your own product's name; hold component lifecycle and last-time-buy data; and review the arrangement on a recurring schedule rather than only when something fails.
How do I validate a supplier?
Validation is evidence-led. Confirm the legal entity and ownership; verify in person that the claimed capability exists; test the technical claims against your own specification rather than the datasheet; check certification numbers against the exact model and issuing body; take references from customers in your own market; and assess commercial fit — capacity, terms, IP position and long-term partnership potential. Anything that cannot be independently confirmed should be treated as unverified until it is.
How do I evaluate IoT hardware?
Define the connectivity stack first — GNSS, LTE-M, NB-IoT, 2G fallback, BLE, LoRa — because that determines which manufacturers are relevant at all. Then evaluate the device against real deployment conditions: verified battery life at your reporting interval, antenna and radio performance, enclosure and IP rating, and environmental tolerance. Weigh the software as heavily as the hardware: firmware maturity and update mechanism, API quality, data ownership, hosting location and roadmap. Most IoT failures are firmware, platform and support failures, not hardware ones.
What questions should I ask a manufacturer?
Who owns the entity and is the product built in-house? What monthly capacity exists for your product category? Which exact model do the certification reports cover, and in whose name? Who owns the firmware, tooling and design IP? What update and security patching process exists for deployed devices? Where is platform data hosted? What are the documented field failure rates? What is the component lifecycle and last-time-buy position? Which customers in your market already ship this product?
How do I build resilient electronics supply chains?
Map dependency before optimising cost. Identify single points of failure at component, sub-assembly, firmware and platform level; qualify alternative manufacturing locations across Asia rather than a single cluster; design for component substitution where feasible; document certification and test evidence so a transfer is possible; and treat resilience as a governed, recurring review with named owners and defined triggers, not a one-off project.
Our direction
Strategic Tracking Asia
Strategic Tracking is an independent advisory practice specialising in logistics technology, IoT, tracking hardware and connected devices — smart labels, sensors, BLE tags, GPS trackers and the platforms behind them.
Our purpose is helping organisations build resilient manufacturing partnerships across Asia — today across China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, with future expansion as the region's manufacturing ecosystems evolve.
We also operate GoAndTrack, which gives us operator-level insight into how tracking technology performs once deployed in the field rather than only on a datasheet.
- Specialists in tracking technology, IoT and connected hardware
- Active presence across key Asian technology manufacturing hubs
- Executive-level advisory, not product sourcing
- European market, certification and compliance perspective
- Fee-based and independent: no commission from manufacturers
Who you work with
Matthew Holland
Founder — Strategic Tracking
Engagements are led personally by Matthew Holland. Every factory visit, supplier assessment and executive briefing is delivered by the same person you speak to on the first call — no account handovers, no junior teams, and no supplier relationships influencing the advice you receive.
FAQ
Working with us
Every engagement begins with a strategic discovery call to understand your product, technology, commercial objectives and risk exposure. We then issue a confidential written proposal setting out objectives, scope, deliverables and terms before any work begins.
Free download
The Asia Technology & Manufacturing Guide
- How to evaluate an electronics manufacturer across Asia
- A practical framework for China +1 and diversification decisions
- Technology due diligence checkpoints for connected hardware
- Supply chain risk and dependency questions to ask early
- Glossary of manufacturing, IoT and tracking technology terms
Facing a technology or manufacturing decision in Asia?
Book a confidential strategic discovery call. We will discuss your objectives and tell you honestly whether we are the right fit.
Or download the Asia Technology & Manufacturing Guide