In the world of software development, we are used to comfort. We have GitHub for code, Jira for tasks, Figma for design, and Slack for instant communication. If we make a mistake, we simply run git revert or deploy a hotfix in 15 minutes.
But in Hardware Development (electronics, PCB design), the stakes are entirely different. The cost of a mistake here isn't measured in minutes—it's measured in weeks of production time and thousands of dollars for board respins. And the most common cause of these expensive errors isn't a lack of engineering knowledge; it is a failure of communication.
The “Screenshot in Telegram” Problem
Imagine a typical workflow in a small hardware team or startup:
An engineer designs a board in KiCad or Altium.
They need a review from a colleague or approval from a client.
What happens next?
They take a screenshot of a specific section of the schematic.
They send it via messenger or email with the text: "Is U4 okay here?"
They get a reply 3 hours later: "No, change resistor R12."
The engineer searches for R12 and changes it... but they are working on an outdated version of the file.
This is called a “Context Gap.” Design tools (CAD) are isolated from communication tools. Clients and managers often cannot even open the project file because they don’t have the specific heavy software installed or lack a license.
The Consequences of Poor Communication in Hardware
Version Hell: Files named
board_v2_final_FINAL_fixed.kicad_pcb. Nobody knows which version was actually sent to the factory.Lost Comments: Critical feedback thrown into a chat gets buried. As a result, the board returns from production with an error that was "supposedly discussed" but never implemented.
High Barrier to Entry: To simply look at a board, stakeholders need to install specific software, configure libraries, and waste valuable time.
PCBHub: “GitHub + Google Docs” for Electronics
We built PCBHub to solve these specific pain points. We aren't trying to replace your CAD system. We are creating the collaboration layer that the industry desperately needs.
Here is how PCBHub transforms team communication:
1. Visual Context (Like Figma for PCBs)
Instead of static screenshots, you upload your project file (e.g., KiCad). Our system automatically renders it into vector format (SVG) directly in the browser.
The Solution: You can click on a specific component or pin on the schematic and leave a comment. Your colleague sees it exactly where it belongs. No more "look at the top left corner" confusion.
2. Accessibility for Everyone
Your project manager, client, or student doesn't need to buy an expensive Altium license or know how to use Git CLI.
The Solution: They simply open a link. PCBHub works entirely in the browser. This democratizes the development process—everyone can participate in the discussion.
3. History and Versioning
We’ve implemented a versioning system that is intuitive for humans, not just programmers.
The Solution: When you upload a new iteration of a board, a Release is created. Comments, files, and documentation "stick" to that specific version. You can always go back in time to see why a specific decision was made.
4. Everything in One Place (Workspaces)
A hardware project is more than just a PCB. It involves datasheets, BOM specifications, mechanical enclosures, and assembly instructions.
The Solution: PCBHub allows you to store documentation, manage Kanban tasks, and organize resources in one unified space. This eliminates the chaos of files scattered across Google Drive and tasks lost in Trello.
Who is this for?
Startups: Iterate fast without paying for enterprise PDM systems.
Outsourcing Teams: Seamlessly deliver results to clients. Clients see progress and can comment without installing CAD tools.
Education: Professors can review student coursework online, leaving corrections directly on the schematics.
The Open Source Community: Public projects on PCBHub allow you to share hardware designs with the world as easily as sharing code on GitHub.
Conclusion
Electronics are becoming more complex, and teams are becoming more distributed. Old methods of exchanging ZIP archives via email simply don't work effectively anymore. PCBHub offers a modern workflow where communication is an integral part of the design process, not an obstacle.
Upload your first project today. It’s free for makers and open-source projects.