> So he approached me for opinions on Microchip consultants. The > question is ... just because they're "certified" Microchip consultants, > does that make them any good? There is no guarantee of course, but Microchip does at least some screening. You have to have done a minimum number of PIC projects, and you have to submit code for review. I don't know how rigorous the screening is, but at least it's better than the warm body test. There are also different levels of PIC consultants. There used to be three if I remember right, bronze, silver, and gold. They might have merged the bronze and silver, but I'm not sure. Of the 300 PIC consultants world wide, only about 40 are gold level. This is based in part on experience and ongoing activity level, but clearly significant culling is going on if less than 15% make the grade. Unfortunately (for me at least, since we are gold level) Microchip doesn't make a big deal of this. The consultants all look pretty much alike on their web site. > Should he just randomly pick one out of > the Microchip list. Sure, as long as it's us. Serisouly, ask around for other people's experiences. We've been hired more than once to pick up the pieces after others botched the job, including certified Microchip PIC consultants in at least two cases. Don't be afraid to interview prospective consultants over the phone and ask for and follow up on references. > Either way, he's looking for a PIC expert (also needs decent analog and > digital electronics skills) to develop this product for him. Any > consultant recommendations? Um, gee, no, I can't think of anyone . ***************************************************************** Embed Inc, embedded system specialists in Littleton Massachusetts (978) 742-9014, http://www.embedinc.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.