Overview:
Technology Scouting, for companies who need to find a critical new technology, process, material or capability. As a result of the recent recession many companies no longer have the engineering or R&D staff they once had. Critical capabilities and knowledge have been lost, and difficult technical needs are going unmet. Technology Scouting is your best alternative for finding solutions to your most pressing problems. In addition, the best solution may exist far from your own industry and hidden from view. Our broad-based search for corollary and analogous applications is the best way to find the most effective, efficient and innovative solutions possible.
Technology Scouting works so well because the process encompasses all industries and branches of research so that no stone goes unturned. Our proven research and investigation process is designed to pursue all possible avenues, then to zero-in on the most promising solutions. The key is in obtaining primary source information via interviews with experts, as opposed to secondary sources and readily available information. Technology Scouting practitioners are experienced in obtaining primary source information and organizing information in a highly practical and understandable way.
The process:
- Prequalify – A 2-hour initial site visit to determine if your company is both right and ready for Technology Scouting.
- Understand the problem – a 1-day on-site engagement to understand the history and nature of the problem, the constraints, and the goals.
- Identify Solution Spaces – 2 to 4 week broad-based investigation to identify the many potential solutions.
- Select Target Spaces – 2-hour meeting to discuss findings and narrow the scope of investigation.
- Focus on Targets – 2 to 4 week deep investigation of best candidate solutions.
- Deliver Solutions – 2-hour meeting to report findings, recommendations, suggest next steps.
We begin with a 2-hour meeting to determine if you are both right and ready for Technology Scouting. If so, we meet for a 1-day needs assessment in which we define the problem, the history, the constraints, and the goals. We are fully aware that you are the experts in your own industries, so in order for us to provide the solutions you need we have to learn as much from you as possible as quickly as possible. After a couple of weeks of broad-based investigation we report our initial findings and narrow the scope of research for a deeper dive. Finally, we provide our findings, recommendations, and suggested next steps. The final report is presented in the form of an interactive thought map and very brief (2-4 slide) Powerpoint presentation.
Success stories:
- A plastics manufacturer found a new bio-based and biodegradable plastic for its contract with the US military. Without Tech Scouting they would have been unable to secure the contract.
- An overhead crane manufacturer found a new process improvement for increasing uptime and quality. Tech Scouting enabled them to identify a new materials technology that lengthened the life of the part by three times while also reducing manufacturing costs.
- A textile company found a new material to improve tool life and wear. The technology has existed in other industries for decades, but had never been applied to this industry of application. Tool life is now extended by 500%.
