February 19, 2025
The Prowise Development Process in Focus: Prowise Neo Lift Systems
How innovation, sustainability, and strong collaboration made the difference in developing our latest lift systems.
At Prowise, we are constantly striving to raise the bar in educational solutions. We do this by developing all our products in-house, from start to finish. But what does such a development process actually look like? Let’s take you behind the scenes of one of our latest innovations: the Prowise Neo Lift System.
Why a new lift system?
When new guidelines from the German certification body (GS mark) were introduced in 2022, we saw an opportunity to innovate once again. This marked the beginning of an ambitious development journey, resulting in the Prowise Neo Lift – a lift that combines safety, flexibility, and sustainability with outstanding ease of use.
Collaboration for smart solutions
From the very start, collaboration was key. We gathered valuable insights from our customers, installation partners, and service teams, using them as the foundation for our design. By focusing on manufacturability, flexibility, and sustainability, we developed a system that is easy to produce with fewer custom-made components and suitable for interactive displays of various sizes.
The idea was simple but effective: just as LEGO offers countless possibilities with the same building blocks, we wanted to create a system with a standardised base that remains highly versatile. By reducing the number of (sub)suppliers and making components reusable, we ensure an efficient production and supply chain.
The first sketches that laid the foundation for the innovative Prowise Neo Lift system.
Balancing technology and aesthetics
We worked with hegge ID industrial design studio from Hamont (BE) to merge technology with aesthetics. The result? A lift that is not only functional and robust but also visually appealing. During the design and testing process, we selected a special coating originally developed for extreme conditions, such as aircraft and façade panels. While this particular coating proved too advanced for our application, we stayed true to our principle: a scratch-resistant, dirt-repellent, and durable finish.
In addition, we worked with suppliers to optimise the manufacturability of the components. The design of the mobile base was refined by observing user behaviour through movement analysis and heatmaps. This allowed us to create a lift that is not only practical but also seamlessly integrates into everyday use.
Rigorous testing for maximum safety
At Prowise, quality and safety are of utmost importance. That’s why the Neo Lift underwent extensive testing under the strict guidelines of GS and TÜV. Here are some highlights from our testing procedures:
- Load capacity: Tested with a weight of 750 kg to assess structural integrity.
- Stability: Placed on a 10-degree incline in the highest position, with an 86” touchscreen and whiteboard frame opened at a 90-degree angle.
- Durability: Lift columns completed 10,000 movements with a 150 kg load to ensure long-term performance.
- Mobility: Wheels were tested on various surfaces, including carpet, cobblestones, and asphalt – even through potholes and over bumps – to guarantee optimal performance.
All tests were conducted in our in-house test centre, led by Stef Beerten, who plays a key role in technical development within the Product Development Team.
Exceptionally inclusive
At Prowise, we believe education should be accessible to everyone. That’s why the Neo Lift was designed with inclusivity in mind. It is ADA-compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act), making interactive displays accessible to wheelchair users. This ensures that all students, regardless of their physical abilities, can actively participate in learning.
A company-wide collaboration
The Prowise Neo Lift is the result of teamwork across multiple disciplines. Our UX team ensured a user-friendly design through extensive user testing, while also working on manuals and packaging. The lift has also been seamlessly integrated with our touchscreen operating systems, allowing settings to be adjusted directly via the display.
Sustainability at the forefront
Environmental impact was a key consideration in the development of the Neo Lift. The system contains less plastic, making it easier to recycle at the end of its lifespan. We also reduced packaging size, minimising storage space and lowering environmental impact during transport. Plastic use in packaging has been kept to an absolute minimum, supporting our commitment to a more sustainable future.
A flying start
Production began in May 2024, and within weeks, the first installations were completed. Today, thousands of satisfied users are already experiencing the benefits of the Neo Lift. The positive feedback confirms that we made the right choices with this project.
The Prowise Neo Lift is not just a technological feat but also a symbol of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability.
By Maikel Hoofs
Product Manager Lift Systems
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