Microtechniques cannot be tied to any one industry (an APE code, for example) or scientific discipline; this is a multi-disciplinary activity, both in scientific and industrial terms. The common denominator in microtechniques issues is miniaturization and integration of complex functions.

The necessary competencies to make a sub-system or microtechniques system notably come under:

- Micro-mechanics
- Optics
- Heat sciences
- Time frequency
- Electronics
- Fluidics
- Acoustics
- Signal processing

Microtechniques are a transversal concept, grouping several fields of competence and industries.

‘Microtechniques’ activities are increasingly present and spreading in a growing number of scientific and industrial activities worldwide. The microtechniques product notion therefore applies to a growing number of products in a growing number of application sectors. The final product in which the sub-system or system is integrated is not necessarily a ‘microtechniques’ product. For example, it can be a surgical instrument, a vehicle or a measuring instrument. One of the particularities of microtechniques is precisely that they are used in many industrial fields, such as biomedicine, cars, aeronautics and space, rail, defence, connector technology, consumer products (including watches or eyeglasses), etc.

Microtechniques therefore have an important role to play in all these industrial sectors, tied to the need for miniaturization and added functions.

The know-how to design and make miniaturized sub-systems (sensors, for instance) that can be integrated into process machinery, for example, and improve productivity (quality, speed), is precious to all industry in France.

So microtechniques have two principal characteristics:
- they are spreading to all industrial sectors
- they generate an industrial leverage effect since integration of microtechniques sub-systems improves systems by adding new functions.

The Franche Comté region is the cradle of microtechniques. Professions dealing with smallness and precision have long been part of its history and genes. Let’s not forget that this is where the watch was born.
From 1820 to 1970, the watchmaking industry prospered throughout the “Arc Comtois”, on either side of the Swiss border. People here have kept this passion for precision and developed know-how that is still useful today in all industries.
As a result, microtechniques in Franche Comté account for 1 to 2% of the world market.
This is exceptional for a region that only represents 1 to 2% of French indicators.