Planet Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Planet Innovation (4.2/5) edges ahead of Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (4.0/5) overall. Planet Innovation is the better choice for diagnostics companies in Asia-Pacific and the US. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) is the stronger option for touchscreen user interfaces on medical devices. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Planet Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Planet Innovation | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 | 1987 |
| HQ | Box Hill, Victoria, Australia | Waltham, MA, USA |
| Team size | 300–400 | Not published |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US | Qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, time and materials | Time and materials, fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, Cloud (AWS/Azure), Microfluidics | Qt, QNX, Embedded Linux |
| Industries served | Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial, Automotive |
Planet Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): overview
Planet Innovation
Planet Innovation was founded in Melbourne in 2009 by four diagnostics industry specialists: Eduardo Vom, Sam Lanyon, Stuart Elliott and Troy O'Callaghan. It is headquartered in Box Hill, Victoria, with a facility in Irvine, California, and employs roughly 300 to 390 people depending on the source. The company has focused on regulated medical devices since 2016 and works across diagnostics, medical devices, biotechnology and connected health, including some product ventures of its own.
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) has worked in software since 1987 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, with offices in Sunnyvale and Ottawa. It describes itself as the largest independent source of Qt expertise in North America and runs a dedicated medtech practice for regulated device development (per company website; independently unverifiable). Since 2019 it has partnered with BlackBerry QNX for safety-critical medical work. ICS does not publish its headcount.
Services and capabilities: Planet Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Capability | Planet Innovation | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics & PCB design | ✓ | ✗ |
| Firmware & embedded software | ✓ | ✓ |
| SaMD & companion apps | ✗ | ✓ |
| Connected devices & IoT | ✓ | ✗ |
| Industrial design & human factors | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mechanical engineering | ✓ | ✗ |
| Device cybersecurity | ✗ | ✓ |
| Regulatory & QMS support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Manufacturing & scale-up | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Planet Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Framework / platform | Planet Innovation | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | ✓ | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | ✓ |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | ✓ | ✓ |
| IEC 62304 | N/A | ✓ |
| ISO 14971 | N/A | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | ✓ | N/A |
| Qt | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: Planet Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Criterion | Planet Innovation | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Manufacturing contract, Time & materials | Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Planet Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Dimension | Planet Innovation | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial |
| Best use cases | Developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic, Commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup | Designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console, Porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Planet Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): pros and cons
| Planet Innovation | |
|---|---|
| + | Founders came from the diagnostics industry, and diagnostics is still its strongest area |
| + | Has launched products of its own, so it understands commercialization as well as engineering |
| + | Australian base offers time-zone coverage for Asia-Pacific clients |
| + | Irvine facility serves US clients locally |
| - | Runs its own product ventures, so ask how client work is prioritized |
| - | Less known in Europe |
| - | Headcount and certifications should be confirmed directly |
| Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) | |
|---|---|
| + | One of the deepest Qt benches in North America, useful for device GUIs |
| + | QNX partnership for safety-critical medical operating systems |
| + | Also offers device cybersecurity and regulatory support |
| + | Long history and US-based teams |
| - | Medtech is one practice among several industries |
| - | Not a hardware design firm |
| - | Headcount and certifications are not published |
Who should choose Planet Innovation?
A typical fit: developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic.
Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring.
Who should choose Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
A typical fit: designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console.
Qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial, Automotive.
Decision matrix: Planet Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Planet Innovation |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Planet Innovation (Not disclosed) vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Planet Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Use case | Planet Innovation fit | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic | Strong | Limited | Planet Innovation |
| Commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup | Strong | Limited | Planet Innovation |
| Designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console | Limited | Strong | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
| Porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux | Limited | Strong | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
Verdict: Planet Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
Planet Innovation (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US.
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (4.0/5) is worth a look if you need porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux. If your situation matches that, Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Planet Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) FAQ
Is Planet Innovation better than Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
Planet Innovation (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Planet Innovation's strongest advantage: founders came from the diagnostics industry, and diagnostics is still its strongest area. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)'s strongest advantage: one of the deepest Qt benches in North America, useful for device GUIs.
How do Planet Innovation and Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) differ in pricing?
Planet Innovation uses fixed project, time and materials pricing. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) uses time and materials, fixed project pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Planet Innovation or Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
Planet Innovation is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each company before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Planet Innovation and Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
Planet Innovation's primary differentiator is: diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)'s primary differentiator is: qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX. They also differ in team size (300–400 vs Not published), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health vs Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.