A smart tool to optimize on-site cable management
Mobiway POP Connect is the first connected solution dedicated to electricians, enabling real-time tracking of cable length used and remaining on a reel.
To bring this ambition to life, Nexans chose to rely on Kickmaker to develop a comprehensive solution integrating hardware and a mobile application, from proof of concept through to mass production.
Nexans is the world’s second-largest manufacturer of electrical cables and a pure player in sustainable electrification. Operating in 41 countries with 28,500 employees and generating US$8.2 billion in sales in 2024, the group designs essential systems that support the transition toward a connected, resilient, and low-carbon future.
Within its PWR Connect activities, Nexans develops innovative solutions aimed at improving both performance and working conditions for electrical installers.
The challenge
The innovation originated from very concrete field issues:
- Cable pulling operations are physically demanding and can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
- Electricians lack visibility on the remaining cable length on a reel
- Stock management is still largely non-digitalized
- Cable waste and leftover materials impact productivity
The objective was clear: to connect the existing Mobiway POP reel in order to give electricians better visibility on cable usage while improving on-site productivity and reducing material losses.
Another major challenge was meeting a tight schedule: the product had to be developed and ready for industrialization within 18 months.
The solution
Kickmaker developed the connected system integrated into the Mobiway POP reel. This embedded electronic module measures the exact length of cable dispensed and transmits the data to a mobile application.
A mobile application, connected via Bluetooth, enables data tracking even offline through an NFC tag.
We supported Nexans across the entire development cycle:
- Design and development of the embedded electronic module
- Integration of NFC and Bluetooth technologies
- Hardware development and design of an electronic board with Bluetooth connectivity and advanced control
- Design and development of the mobile application
- Prototyping, validation, and testing
- Preparation for mass production and coordination with industrial partners
Mobiway POP Connect enables:
- Automatic reel identification via NFC
- Precise measurement of unrolled cable lengths
- Real-time consumption tracking
- Real-time communication with the electrician through speakers and LED indicators
- Power supply for the system and smartphone charging thanks to an integrated battery
- Offline operation
- Seamless integration into electricians’ working environments
The solution transforms an everyday operational gesture into a simple and efficient management tool.
Benefits
Through this collaboration, Nexans was able to:
- Launch the first connected solution of its kind designed for installers
- Reduce cable waste and improve inventory management
- Increase on-site productivity
- Accelerate time-to-market through close collaboration on technology and design decisions
- Ensure full control of intellectual property throughout the project
Mobiway POP Connect lays the foundation for a scalable digital ecosystem designed to sustainably simplify electricians’ daily work.
Expertise
Kickmaker leveraged:
- Its expertise in connected product development (hardware + software)
- Its know-how in industrialization and management of mass-production partners
- Structured development processes (design reviews, risk matrices, test plans, project tracking)
- The ability to temporarily reinforce teams to secure project timelines
- A collaborative methodology with regular progress meetings and strong client immersion
”"The choice of Kickmaker was strategic: we needed a partner capable of supporting the entire solution, hardware and application, across the full development cycle, from proof of concept to mass production.
Marie de WilliencourtMarketing & Innovation Director
Kickmaker’s expertise in connected product development and their strong industrial partner network were key success factors. We were closely involved in technology and design decisions, which significantly reduced our time-to-market.
Beyond the technical expertise, the human aspect and our close collaboration were the cornerstone of this success. Between Nexans and Kickmaker, everything flows."