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DIGITAL STILL PHOTOGRAPHY

Digital still photography (DSP) in business has been the subject of a number of projects. The most comprehensive has been a multiclient study, Electronic Still Photography: The Coming Decade which examined underlying technologies, applications, and strategic issues facing the industry participants. The work culminated in a forecast of product developments (performance, features, and cost) over the next decade, and a forecast of the market which was segmented by application and camera characteristics. Strategies for future industry participants were outlined.

Other projects have included the evaluation of competitive camera designs and technologies, forecast of electronic still photography's impact on professional photography and photojournalism, and the assessment of photographers' preferences for specific camera design approaches and operating features.




SATELLITE-BASED FACSIMILE NETWORK

For a start-up venture, a consulting team including CCG designed and implemented a facsimile distribution system for camera-ready newspaper advertising images. A system architecture was devised which demonstrated the technical and economic feasibility of the concept. The consulting team went on to implement the system in a series of tasks that included:

• Detailed design and specification of the subsystems
• Solicitation, evaluation and selection of subsystem vendors
• Supervision of subsystem development
• Acceptance testing, installation and evaluation

ON-DEMAND PRINTING AND PUBLISHING

Printing one, or a few, copies of books when and where needed is both technically and economically feasible. Research showed that there is a specific business opportunity in educational and professional markets. An on-demand anthology printing service was designed to meet a primary need of the readers, and at the same time recapture significant royalty revenue now lost through photocopying. This project resulted in a preliminary business plan for establishing such a business.

Other work relating to on-demand publishing assessed the competitive strength of a particular printing technology in this application. The values of specific performance levels and operating features were determined.



DIGITAL PHOTO STORAGE & DELIVERY

For the proprietor of one of the world's largest collections of international photography, CCG developed a strategy for entering the electronic stock photo business. The project required exploration of the full range of technical and business issues. This required an assessment of the changing ways in which stock photography will be used, and a forecast of the future market for stock photography. Attention was given to the way electronic imaging would interface with electronic pre-press systems. Scenarios for the future adoption of this technology were developed.




STRATEGY FOR ELECTRONIC COLOR PRE-PRESS SYSTEM

A vendor of high-end graphic arts systems wished to extend and diversify the product line by developing an electronic color separation and half tone screening system. CCG evaluated specific distribution channels that had been under-exploited by electronic prepress system vendors. The work revealed the value of a specific class of OEM vendors. A second project resulted in identifying an optimum position for the new product in the crowded market. The recommendations took advantage of the client's established customer base and avoided direct confrontation with some of the well-established competition. Further research sought (and found) non-graphic arts applications for the underlying technology.







PICTURE ARCHIVING AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS (PACS)

The Concord Consulting Group has published a 330-page report based on an intensive examination of the future of systems for the integrated electronic handling of medical images from such modalities as x-ray, MRI, ultrasound, CT, and nuclear medicine. The work was prompted by the revolution now taking place in American medicine. For almost 20 years these PACS have been the subject of enthusiastic research and experimentation, but of only limited use in the healthcare community at large. But, in the last half of the 1990s, the situation changed vastly with a higher value being placed on the operational and economic advantages of PACS and PAC subsystems.

The study identified and characterized the future opportunities for PACS vendors, and is based on a systematic analysis of the forces that govern adoption of new technology in medicine - technical merit, clinical usefulness, operational effectiveness, and economic attractiveness. The internal analyses was supported by two focus groups of recognized leaders in the development and implementation of PACS. In addition, a survey was conducted among potential users of PACS, i.e. radiologists and administrators in hospitals and imaging centers.




ASSESSMENT OF BIORESORBABLES FOR ORTHOPEDIC FIXATION

Our client, a successful supplier of niche products used in orthopedic surgery, was considering acquiring a firm specializing in developing technologies for resorbable products for orthopedic fixation (screws, nails, pins, and other implants). We surveyed more than 60 bioresorbable products and technologies being offered by 28 organizations throughout the world. The technologies were categorized, and we projected commercialization profiles for each category to the year 2006. We then assessed the likely position of the target firm overall within this future competitive arena and laid out the pros and cons of an alliance with them. Our client followed our recommendations by rejecting an acquisition.




MARKETING STRATEGY FOR A MULTI-FORMAT CAMERA

A client company developed a high performance laser scanning technology and wished to launch a new line of multipurpose, multiformat medical imaging cameras. CCG carried out extensive field research with vendors of competitive systems, camera users in health care facilities, potential OEM customers, and in the academic community. This led to the establishment of functional specifications for the new camera. In addition, the market for this innovative product was forecast. A strategy based on an analysis of the market and the competitors was developed and CCG assisted the client in implementing it.




NEW-PRODUCT COMMERCIALIZATION IN PATIENT MONITORING

We were asked to assist the management team of a new venture in defining their first product offering and in planning its development. The technology, which was intended to replace or augment pulse oximetry, involved noninvasive monitoring of cerebral blood and tissue oxygenation via near-infrared optical reflectance measurements. The strategic plan of the company and its associated product plans were reviewed and critiqued. Significant changes in direction were recommended, these included a critical adjustment in the product concept definition.




IMPACT OF DRUG LEGISLATION

For a nonprofit, public service organization, CCG examined the impact of DRG legislation on its ability to deliver home health care. By assessing the traditional patient population in light of the changing regulatory environment, CCG was able to develop a strategy for expanding services and upgrading personnel. The strategy was implemented with the result that the client organization's long term viability was assured, its position with respect to proprietary providers strengthened, and the quality of service to the community enhanced.










PETROLEUM INDUSTRY PRODUCTIVITY ANALYSIS

We have assessed the productivity of operating units of over 30 major oil companies around the world. This work is based on industry benchmarking on proprietary analytical tools. The work has led to the analysis of trends and recommendations for improvement. Participants have used the results and the tools in continuing improvement processes to define opportunities and plan action for improved profitability. Specific sectors of the Oil and Gas Industry have been analyzed on an annual basis for the last 10 years.




MARKET STRATEGY

The staff of an international major oil company, was assisted in the development of a retail gasoline strategy based on customer needs. Customer preference research was conducted and analyzed in several U.S. metropolitan markets. This process asked motorists to select among competitive alternatives of various product attributes and price levels. This tool provided input to product strategy, competitive analysis and pricing strategy. The client has implemented new strategic directions based upon the output of this analysis that has the potential for a significant increase in their retail market share.




RISK/HAZARD ANALYSIS

For a number of commercial clients, we carried out risk analyses of the processing, storage and shipments of oil/LNG/LPG and various hazardous materials. We quantified the frequency of accidents using fault trees that accounted for the failure rates of equipment such as level gauges, pressure sensors (etc.) and of operator errors. We modeled the potential consequences of accidents, including fire, explosion and toxic release. In each case, we estimated the size of the hazard zone impacted by the accident. Finally, we developed risk profiles for these activities and compared them with more well-known risks. Thus, we identified the most important accidents and means to mitigate them.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEYS

We have asked thousands of customers about their satisfaction with banks’ products and services.  With the banks, we identify performance elements, the building blocks that make up the banks’ services.  Customers indicate their satisfaction with each element and, overall, with service received.  By correlating each performance element with overall satisfaction, we deduce the handful of performance elements that are very important to customers.  Thus, we recommend to bank management that they act to improve performance elements that (a) will strongly affect overall satisfaction and (b) that received low satisfaction ratings.

IDENTIFYING EMERGING NEEDS

In addition to multiple-choice questions about satisfaction, our surveys ask: (1) “What are the really good things about this bank?” (2) “What most needs to be changed or improved?” and (3) “What new products and services would best meet your needs?”.  We give banks not only verbatim transcripts of the answers to these questions, but also analyses of the frequency of occurrence of themes.  Bank management reviews the reports for ideas about new products and services and about additional performance elements to cover in future surveys.