Products, Processes, People and Technology

Each client's needs are specific and, more to the point, so are their organizations, histories and markets. Because of this, there is no one way to solve their problems or one process to go through to address their needs. Problem analysis and resolution recommendations, end-user requirements development, product development and design training and mentoring may all be a part of a common consulting project and can be provided by this practice.

Sample projects:

• Analysis of existing client microcontroller-based products and the creation of a new corporate product strategy, products and product sub-systems. This included training of staff and on-going mentoring in new technologies.
• Analysis of business support information systems and leadership of redesign of work and information flows. New information systems were designed, implemented and deployed throughout the firm.
• Conceptualization, definition, design and implementation of an embedded custom-applications generator for proprietary network-based client product.
• Personal computer based distributed access to corporate legacy systems for internal and external (client customer) use.
• The design and development of a new product line based on both custom embedded microcontroller-based hardware and specialized workstation-based software which controlled the customer hardware remotely over the Internet.

Industries/Markets:

The specific industry or market a client is in matters much less than the process of analyzing, understanding and resolving the problem(s) at hand. This requires bringing those with the greatest understanding of the various elements together and creating the processes to form a team and use it effectively -- only then do the specifics of that market and the technologies used to resolve the those issues matter. The clients already served have been in such diverse industries as financial services (banking and credit card processing), electronic security (electronic access control and intrusion), call center processing equipment, electrical utilities, and others.

A common situation is to be invited by a firm to analyze a problem they have been trying to solve for a significant period of time and the project team assembled to solve it -- either an internal need, a customer requirement or a new product needed for their market -- but for which no solution appears to be forthcoming. I evaluate their needs, the market being addressed and the organization in place, then make specific recommendations. If appropriate, other consultants may be brought into the project and we can provide training in new methods of product development, on-going mentoring, and project leadership, as necessary.

A consulting firm I have recommended and worked with on several security industry projects is Greer & Co. Glen Greer has extensive experience in the security industry, particularly in strategic planning and marketing. I recommend you see his web site for information if you are looking for help in strategic planning, market research or product planning in the security industry.