I am looking for the name of a company or consultant that can perform
some due diligence on a company's medical camera.  I need to know if
the company's products are "state of the art" utilizing advanced chip
sets, advanced software, advanced firmware, advanced architecture and
the like.  Since the company that we will be performing due diligence
on will be very reluctant to disclose a lot of this information,
(particularly if they view the company that we give the assignment to
as a competitor) the selection process of which company has to be done
with this in mind.   The company that does this would possibly do so
for a living analyzing other people's products and issuing a statement
as to "how state of the art" they are.  Thus, this would allay some
fears since this would be typical for this company to do or the
company might come from a completely different industry, i.e.,
industrial cameras or security cameras.  Do you have some suggestions
on who could perform this type of due diligence "tear down" analysis
of this company's medical camera.  What I am specifically looking for
is a couple of names of companies that specialize in this type of
analysis and "tear down".  Two or three choices would be best.  I will
take it from there and will interview these companies.

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 18 Nov 2003 18:06 PST

Hello Bethj-ga,

Interesting challenge you've put forward here.  Possibly, I can help
you with the contacts you're looking for, but it would help, first, to
have a bit more information.

The company selling the medical camera in question can't do it without
convincing potential customers that they're getting a top-notch
instrument.  Ordinarily, this would involve making known a good deal
of the "specs" of the camera, so that would-be customers could see for
themselves that it's state of the art.

They might also arrange for the camera to be reviewed in an
industry/trade magazine, and again, would provide considerable details
to the reviewer.

A good analogy here would be a new computer -- tons of details about
the chipset, software, drivers, etc. are made public, even if the
company might prefer keeping it private.  Otherwise, not many people
would be convinced to buy one.

Even in the pre-market stage, it's still necessary to make details
known to attract capital, get some "buzz", etc.

Where is your company in all this?  Have they publicized their
product?  Have you looked into the available material?  Why is the
information hard to come by?

Any additional info you can provide will be a help.  Meanwhile, I'll
begin looking into potential contacts who could help you assess the
product.

pafalafa-ga

---

Clarification of Question by bethj-ga on 20 Nov 2003 15:35 PST

Answer to pafalafa-ga

This information is well known to us and what we are looking for is
very technical.  Your questions seem to be based around general
marketing 101 issues.  Please don't spend any time on researching the
companies.  I was looking for people who knew which companies do this
type of technical review for a living.

Thanks.

Hello bethj-ga,

This was a challenging search assignment but I think I?ve located
several consulting companies that may be suitable to help you perform
the necessary technology due diligence evaluation of your medical
camera.

I?ve identified four organizations that offer various approaches and
capabilities so that you have several alternatives to choose from.
Exponent is very big and seems to have the capacity to do any kind of
product analysis you could need. Your project may be too small for
them. KKAI is a similar full-service, broad-based consulting company
that may not take on small projects like yours.

As an alternative, I tried to find some consultants who specialize in
cameras or imaging. Imaging Technology Consultants seem to have the
expertise to do your evaluation if you find their credibility
acceptable. Trilogy Associates seem to be knowledgeable in your field
but may not have the engineering expertise that you?re looking for.
The same issues of credibility apply as with Imaging Technology
Consultants.

I hope that one of these organizations will be suitable. If not,
please don?t hesitate to ask for clarifications so that I can help you
find exactly the type of consultant you need.

Best wishes for your enterprise.

~ czh ~



========
EXPONENT
========

http://www.exponent.com/intro.html
http://www.exponent.com/practices/techdev/tdd.html
Technology Due Diligence
Technology validation is one aspect of an overall due diligence
process performed by those acquiring or investing in other businesses
as well as by those evaluating their internal research and development
programs. To achieve profitability, a business must successfully
integrate adequate capitalization, good management, efficient
operations, and sound technology. Usually, firms investing in such
businesses are fully qualified to evaluate the target firm's finances,
management, and operations, but frequently may benefit from an
independent, third-party evaluation of its technology in order to
confirm that no laws of science are being violated and to qualify a
company's technological assets and liabilities.
Exponent specializes in providing rapid, focused, market-sensitive
solutions to complex issues.




===============================
KEVIN KENNEDY & ASSOCIATES, INC
===============================

http://www.kkai.com/
Kevin Kennedy & Associates, Inc. 
Engineering and Management Consultants

Kevin Kennedy & Associates offers a vast resource of world-class
consultants, engineers and experts in Materials Technology, Product
Development, and Manufacturing Systems.
While these general service areas are broad-based and are applicable
across a wide range of industries, it is the synergy of expertise
available within these areas that sets us apart from other firms. By
combining the resources of select KKAI Associates, we provide a unique
team of experts specific to your needs. Whether you require an
individual resource or a full complement of resources, KKAI offers a
"one-stop" source.




==============================
IMAGING TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS
==============================

http://www.itc-guzik.com/about.htm
Imaging Technology Consultants

Our principal consultants are seasoned professionals with many years
of experience.   We have a record of innovative achievement in product
development and imaging technology.  We have managed hundreds of
projects and can provide a wide range of technical and management
services.  Our multi-disciplinary skills include optical engineering
and engineering physics.  We have worked on a range of applications
from consumer products and precision instruments to automation and
controls.  We produce lab models, prototypes, customized systems, and
pre-production products.  We provide feasibility studies, venture
evaluations, and technical assessments.  We have even delivered
seminars on the development process and the art of innovation.   We
are prepared to offer assistance from strategy to implementation, and
from concept to full production.



==================
TRILOGY ASSOCIATES
==================

http://www.trilogy1.com/index.htm
Trilogy Associates

Trilogy Associates is a business development and management consulting
firm specializing in medical, bioscience and certain industrial
markets:
http://www.trilogy1.com/markets.htm
Medical Informatics & Imaging
http://www.trilogy1.com/projects.htm
Due Diligence and Technology Assessment



===============
SEARCH STRATEGY
===============

technical due diligence 
"tear down analysis" consulting
imaging technology analysis consultants
"medical camera" technology evaluation
technology analysis consultants