Advanced Product Development Workshops to take place April 19 at Clemson ICAR

March 25, 2011

Advanced Product Development Workshops to take place March 24 at Charleston Lowcountry Grad Center and April 19 at Clemson ICAR

COLUMBIA, SC – April 19, 2011 – The Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing &Technology (SiMT), The South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP), and AnswerQuest Market Research are pleased to announce a joint workshop, Reducing Product Development Cycle Time with Advanced Research and Virtual Reality.  The workshop will help start-ups and manufacturers located in South Carolina to bring new products to market quicker. Several of New Carolina’s industry clusters, private consultants, local economic development groups, and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce are helping to promote the event.

Marketing managers, market researchers, product development managers, engineers, start-ups and anyone else involved in product development are encouraged to attend. The methodology taught in the workshops has helped companies reduce time-to-market by 20% or more, creating a quicker return on research and development investments.  SiMT will present the latest in Virtual Reality and 3D technology used in product development. SCMEP will present highlights of its Lean Product Development methodology, and AnswerQuest will teach new market research techniques applying virtual reality.  Case studies will demonstrate how companies have applied these innovative strategies to reduce time-to-market.

SiMT is one of only six virtual reality centers in the world offering next generation 3D technology.  The workshop will also present advertising and marketing communications tools using 3D technology. The events will wrap-up with a quick look at legal considerations presented by Charleston’s largest law firm, Buist Moore Smythe McGee P.A. In addition, a brief introduction of how to receive research and development tax credits and other opportunities to fund product development will be introduced.

The event will take place at the Lowcountry Graduate Center on March 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and at Clemson ICAR on April 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. The cost is $25 per person or $50 per company (teams are encouraged to attend).  To register or for more information, please call 866.304.7468, email Michael.Mazen@fdtc.edu, or visit www.SiMT.com.