Sagentia Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Sagentia Innovation (4.1/5) edges ahead of Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (4.0/5) overall. Sagentia Innovation is the better choice for surgical robotics and combination products. 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.
Sagentia Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Sagentia Innovation | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 | 1987 |
| HQ | Harston, Cambridge, UK | Waltham, MA, USA |
| Team size | 650+ (Science Group) | Not published |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Medical development backed by a listed science group that also runs a regulatory consultancy | Qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, fixed project | Time and materials, fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, Robotics, Mechanical simulation | Qt, QNX, Embedded Linux |
| Industries served | Surgical & robotics, Drug delivery, Diagnostics & lab devices | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial, Automotive |
Sagentia Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): overview
Sagentia Innovation
Sagentia Innovation is owned by Science Group plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market. Its roots go back to 1986; the current business was formed in 2021 from Sagentia, OTM Consulting and Oakland Innovation. It is based at Harston Mill near Cambridge, with R&D facilities in Cambridge and Epsom, and its medical work covers devices, combination products and surgical robotics. Science Group employs more than 650 people across all its businesses.
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: Sagentia Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Capability | Sagentia 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: Sagentia Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Framework / platform | Sagentia 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) | N/A | ✓ |
| IEC 62304 | N/A | ✓ |
| ISO 14971 | N/A | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | ✓ | N/A |
| Qt | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: Sagentia Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Criterion | Sagentia Innovation | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Consulting, Fixed project, Time & materials | Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Sagentia Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Dimension | Sagentia Innovation | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Surgical & robotics, Drug delivery, Diagnostics & lab devices | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial |
| Best use cases | Surgical robot subsystem development, Drug-device combination product engineering | Designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console, Porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux |
| Typical project type | Consulting | Fixed project |
Sagentia Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): pros and cons
| Sagentia Innovation | |
|---|---|
| + | Active surgical robotics software and hardware hiring shows current work in that area |
| + | Sister business TSG Consulting has a medical device regulatory team |
| + | Large owned R&D facilities in Cambridge and Epsom |
| + | About 30 years of medical device projects |
| - | Part of a listed group, so commercial priorities answer to public shareholders |
| - | Recent 2021 merger means the brand and teams are relatively new |
| - | Science Group headcount covers many businesses, so the medtech team size is unclear |
| 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 Sagentia Innovation?
A typical fit: surgical robot subsystem development.
Medical development backed by a listed science group that also runs a regulatory consultancy. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Surgical & robotics, Drug delivery, Diagnostics & lab devices.
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: Sagentia Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Sagentia 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: Sagentia 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: Sagentia Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Use case | Sagentia Innovation fit | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgical robot subsystem development | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Drug-device combination product engineering | Strong | Limited | Sagentia 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: Sagentia Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
Sagentia Innovation (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Medical development backed by a listed science group that also runs a regulatory consultancy.
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
Sagentia Innovation vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) FAQ
Is Sagentia Innovation better than Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
Sagentia Innovation (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Sagentia Innovation's strongest advantage: active surgical robotics software and hardware hiring shows current work in that area. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)'s strongest advantage: one of the deepest Qt benches in North America, useful for device GUIs.
How do Sagentia Innovation and Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) differ in pricing?
Sagentia Innovation uses time and materials, fixed project 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: Sagentia Innovation or Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
Sagentia 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 Sagentia Innovation and Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
Sagentia Innovation's primary differentiator is: medical development backed by a listed science group that also runs a regulatory consultancy. 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 (650+ (Science Group) vs Not published), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Surgical & robotics, Drug delivery vs Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.