Product Prototype Development – Why Its Necessary?

Product Prototype Development – Why Its Necessary

Undoubtedly, product prototype development is one of the most necessary steps when manufacturing a new product from scratch. But what is a product prototype? In simple terms, a product prototype can be defined as a tangible version or a ready to test version of a product to be developed – which you can touch, feel, and see. A prototype lets you test your concept in the primary stages before you move on to the bulk manufacturing phase and offers you an opportunity to make your final product more successful and customer-centric.

Its 2016, and the importance of product prototype development has increased with every passing day. It is necessary because, it allows you to feel your concept, it lends you an opportunity to attract potential investors and customers, and most importantly, it allows you to test your concept before you proceed towards to final manufacturing phase. Whether you are planning to develop an electromechanical product, a product with embedded software, a plastic, metallic, or fabric product, or a medical device, there are tons of advantages of getting a product prototype made.

Here are some of the most common reasons that justifies, “Why Product Prototype Development is Necessary Before New Product Development”, and they are as follows;

Product Prototype Saves Precious Time:

When you consider launching a new product into the market, time is a most important factor. You need to manufacture and launch your product in the market before anyone else does it. Product prototype development eliminates much of the time that is required or unnecessarily wasted to create patterns, custom tools, and multiple molds for conventional molding. It lends you an opportunity to save time that might be wasted between the initial designing and the analysis, eventually reducing your product’s time to market. A product prototype can be developed easily to test features, performance and usability that would have consumed more time by using the traditional method. Rapid prototyping saves your time; hence, you can get your product in the market fast before your competitors.

Product Prototype Opens Up Innovation Opportunities:

Another crucial benefit of prototype development is that you or the product development company you hire have the freedom to create mock-ups that are complex in surfaces and shaped without worrying about precision. As you get multiple opportunities to modify (both functionally and aesthetically) your concept before final manufacturing process, rapid prototyping takes the creativity to the next level.

Product Prototype Saves Your Money:

In terms of time and money, manufacturing a new product from scratch is always a matter of risk. Real innovation always comes with a risk of failure. Thomas Edison once said, “We now know a thousand ways not to build a light bulb.” Rapid prototype development saves your hard earned money, because it helps you identify and weed out the approaches that don’t work.

Product Prototype Reduces the Risks of Errors:

Simple looking product errors can lead to complex problems in a long run. Rapid prototyping eradicates the probabilities of such tiny errors that can lead to product failure. A product development company can recognize errors and faults, and make fast modifications before bulk manufacturing takes place. Prototyping ensures that the final product is designed and developed as per our expectation. The success of the envisioned product predominantly relies on the prototypes.

If you have a product idea and are looking for a product prototype development company that can help you create a final prototype, then GID Development Corporation can certainly help.

Based in California, USA, GID Company is a product design, product development, and product prototype development company. Whether you are planning to develop products with electronics, products with embedded software, electromechanical products, medical device products, any other types of products, GID Development Corporation has the skills and vehemence to bring your concept to life. Along with over-the-top designing and manufacturing services, GID also offers promising prototyping services that help take a product concept to reality and into the hands of prospective customers.

To learn more about GID Development Corporation, visit https://www.gidcompany.com/ or call Jim Grimes for a free consultation at 714-323-1052 from 8 AM to 5 PM PST Monday through Friday.

Alpha Prototype and Beta Prototype – Difference Between Them in Product Prototype Development

Product Prototype Development

Alpha prototype, Beta prototype, and their difference are what most people have been wondering about. For an inventor, product prototype development is essential. After all, a product prototype is a physical manifestation of a mere idea, which can serve different purposes. For one, a product prototype gives a clearer picture of what the potential product will look like. With a product prototype, the inventor can also test the various functions of the potential product in the real world. A product prototype also assists in making the final product better. Another important purpose a product prototype serves is it helps attract stakeholders, and eventually, the capital that helps take the product further close to the prospective consumers. The cardinal role a prototype plays in the new product development makes product prototype development an important function that no inventor should overlook.

Anyone can create a product prototype, but in order to have a pragmatic prototype that can serve different purposes, it is wise to hire a good product prototype development company. A good product prototype development company has the experience, knowledge to perform extensive research, and proper technology and equipment that help create accurate product prototypes.

Difference Between Alpha Prototype And Beta Prototype

When it comes to product prototyping, a product prototype development company usually creates Alpha and Beta prototypes. What is the difference between alpha and beta prototypes? Well, alpha prototypes are product prototypes that are tested internally by the prototype development company, and such prototypes usually have a lot of flaws. Beta prototypes, on the other hand, are more like the final product with more functions. Beta prototypes are normally tested by potential consumers or the general public. Here are some more details on alpha prototypes and beta prototypes:

Alpha Prototypes

Alpha, the first alphabet in the Greek language, is used for the first testable prototype variant of a potential product. Testing of the alpha prototypes is usually carried out by the product prototype development company itself, but sometimes, the company also recruits outside volunteers to test the alpha prototype.

At the alpha stage, the product prototype can have substantial flaws or missing functions, and unfinished documentation and it may even require a special environment in order to operate or function. Alpha testing can go through many iterations, and the prototype variants may add or subtract certain working features while the prototyping experts fix the flaws and make alterations based on the test feedback.

Once the alpha prototype is fairly functional and closely resembles the envisioned product, it moves to beta testing.

Beta Prototypes

Beta prototypes of a potential product are usually much closer to the final product than alpha prototypes. These product prototypes are, in most cases, tested by the prospective consumers as well as the general public.

A beta prototype is typically an augmentation of an alpha prototype – meaning it has all the functions in place that are expected for the final product. The beta prototype also has fewer flaws than the alpha prototype. The documentation is almost complete or close to complete, and the prototype is usually ready to perform or operate in the real-world environment without any assistance.

Beta testing is usually shorter than alpha testing. The reason for this is that the beta testing is usually designed to identify the minute, last-minute issues before the envisioned product is launched in the market to the actual consumers.

Product prototype development, including alpha and beta, is important. The success of the envisioned product predominantly relies on the prototypes. If you are seeking a good product prototype development company that can help develop definitive alpha and beta prototypes, then GID Development Corporation is worth considering.

GID Development Corporation is a product design, product development, and product prototype development company in California, USA. Using their years of experience in product prototyping and cutting-edge technologies, like the 3DEXPERIENCE platform from Dassault Systèmes, GID Development Corporation can help create accurate product prototypes for products with electronics, products with embedded software, electromechanical products, medical device products, and many other types of products. Aside from new product design, product development, and product prototyping, GID Development Corporation also provides a whole lot of other services that help take a product concept to reality and into the hands of prospective consumers.

To learn more about GID Development Corporation, Get In Touch. Also,  go through our official YouTube channel.

GID Development Corporation currently offers a free, 15-minute telephonic conference for those who have questions regarding new product design, product development, and product prototyping. Those who are interested can call Jim Grimes at 714-323-1052 between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST.

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Traits to Look for in a Product Prototype Development Company

Traits to Look for in a Product Prototype Development Company

If you are manufacturing a new product, then you have to develop a product prototype to test the product design and features prior bulk manufacturing process. Product prototype development is an important phase because it offers an insight on how your future product that subsists as a drawing or computer model will appear and feel when produced. Furthermore, prototyping a concept before the bulk manufacturing process allows entrepreneurs and inventors to enrich the product, both aesthetically and functionally.

If you are planning to prototype your concept with the help of a prototype development company, then look for these traits before you hire their prototyping services, and they are as follows;

Thorough Feasibility Studies– A thorough feasibility study of an idea concludes whether the idea is worth development or not. It is essential and enables a prototyping company to guide inventors and entrepreneurs understand their product, available technology for manufacturing, and product development limits. A thorough feasibility report can aid both, a prototyping company and an entrepreneur, dodge several unpredicted manufacturing concerns.

In-house Industrial Design Capabilities– An American product prototype Development Company that you propose to contract must be proficient in industrial product design services or must have a dedicated team of industrial product designers. It is better to hire a company having an in-house team of product designers because it can conduct a product design study and detect precarious areas prior you proceed to the subsequent manufacturing stage. An in-depth product design report card can help you save thousands of dollars and precious time.

Product Development Cost Analysis– A well-defined financial draft for custom development is precious and extremely helpful. A comprehensive financial layout will aid you in gathering money for the product to be developed. For a useful product development cost analysis, you should be aware of issues such as product tooling costs, the cost of raw materials, cost-per-part breakdown, post manufacturing costs, and an estimation on labor costs. An ingenious financial plan safeguards your product manufacturing process against financial dilemmas.

Other Areas of Expertise– A product prototype development company should have expertise in additional areas of product development including, knowledge of licensing and copyright laws, proper understanding of industry standards, contract research and development, education and training in the product development industry etc.

Along with the above-mentioned traits, as a smart entrepreneur, you should also verify whether the company has dedicated teams of proficient industrial designers, prototyping experts, product development professionals, and project development managers to professionally handle your needs or not.

Planning to Prototype a Tech Product? Here are 5 Most Important Questions to Ask Yourself

GID Company - Planning to Prototype

In the fast-moving world, no one wants to stay behind the curve, especially in terms of technology. Even, big brands, including Apple, Samsung, Google, and Microsoft to name a few jump on a tech trend just to do it. In the last few years, we have seen it with smartphones, augmented reality, and now wearables.

Normally, in a hassle to be first, businesses jump right into creating a product without spending enough time to research and understand their audience or skip a thought-process on key details that will make or break a product launch for a customer. However, a contradictory fact is businesses have to maintain their pace in order to keep their brand alive in the senses of their customers as well as to stay competitive in their respective industry. Fortunately, there is a proven way to get a great product to market correctly and quickly and it is by understanding your users as thoroughly, as you know your brand.

When it comes to prototype development for a tech product, GID has framed a list of five most important questions to ask your audience to ensure that the product is useful, usable, and desired.

What are their needs? People buy a product to meet / satisfy one or several needs in their lives. Wearable technology products are no exception. While prototyping, make sure your insight on your audience’s requirements line-up with their real life needs. Build a product prototype in time to conduct user research, and involve your audience while testing the same. Skipping or overlooking this step will result in manufacturing a product with no customers to use it.

Why previous solutions failed? The market for tech product is flourishing, as never before; hence, it becomes easy for an entrepreneur to yield insights for new product opportunities. Use negative and positive reviews and rating of products on the market today to ignite exclusive ideas for future products. Think beyond usual analyst reports, and comb through the ratings and reviews of products on ecommerce websites to explore flaws in the product’s software.

What are your customers’ likes and dislikes? Before prototyping and manufacturing a tech product, do not forget to clarify what category of audience you are going to target. As soon as you have clarified the category of audience you are going to target, spare adequate time to analyze and understand their technology requirements, likes and dislikes. Try to conclude, how many end users have aversions to technology, how many are ravenous for technology, and how many are early adopters. Is your product going to conjure up feeling of “Obtrusive Big Brother” or “Useful Quantified Self?”

How will your customers leverage the product? Knowing how your customers will use your product will help you develop a more durable and tough product. For example, the latest wearable tech products such as Jawbone Up and the Fitbit Flex are great examples of this. Manufacturers knew that some end-users would wear these devices simply to track their daily activity levels, whereas a majority would use them as a comprehensive fitness guide; hence, the product was designed and developed accordingly. Understanding end users’ expectations from your product and their plans to do with your product are the key to successful product development. Another important point to remember is to avoid all sorts of unnecessary features into your product.

What would keep your customers buying your products? Find out, what is more important to your targeted end-users – Are they looking for an affordable product? Are they searching for an aesthetically beautiful product? Is a clunky or outdated product design a definite deal-breaker? Does the functionality trump all? By concluding what is more important to your targeted end-users and creating a product accordingly, you will save your team from hassle and frustration.

Remember, once you have answers to all these questions, you are still at the starting line of a process. A repeated cycle of development and improvement will gradually guide you to a better, more useful and much-awaited solution.

Product prototype development is a complicated process and may take a bit longer time, but, in the end, it will ensure you are satisfying the needs of your audience, which will eventually reward more success in the end.

How to Develop a Successful Product Prototype?

How to Develop a Successful Product Prototype?

If you are planning to test your new product concept’s features, looks, and functionality, then product prototype development is the best option. It not only helps you analyze and examine the features of a product in the real time, but also helps you impress your potential customers and financiers. However, there are some rules that an entrepreneur should not ignore to ensure product success. GID, a product Design and Development Company, offers time-tested tips for successful product prototype development, and they are as follows:

  1. Are you new in the field? If yes, then start from here:

If product prototype development is not your expertise, then ensure you hire a product development company to do the job. When communicating with product designers and engineers, be specific with your requirements and explain what you want from them in detail. Also, don’t forget to educate and prepare yourself about the prototyping process so that you can easily understand what the company, you hired for prototyping, is talking about. Educating yourself about the prototyping process will help you dodge prototyping glitches, ensuring you are getting what you exactly want.

  1. Questions to ask a Product Prototype Development Company:

Whenever you hire a product manufacturing company to prototype your concept, do not forget to check its reputation in market and over the internet. Before you hire services of any company, ask them about their industry experience and their portfolio to investigate what kind of projects they have finished. Most importantly, hire a company having prior expertise in handling projects that are similar to yours. The Smoke Alarm, for instance, is not at all a complex product to develop; however, there are some crucial issues that require professional attention.

Don’t pursue “affordable” prototyping services; because affordable services are hardly quality-oriented. Instead, hire a company that excels in every facet of product development.

  1. Time and Cost for Product Prototype Development:

It is never that easy to nail down a custom product manufacturing project because there are many deciding factors, especially the development cost. A product prototype development company may charge you on an hourly basis or on the project basis. A multifaceted project may require more time and people; hence, the overall development cost may go beyond your estimation. To avoid the unnecessary expense of money and waste of time, frequently communicate with your company and express your project requirements.

The product prototype development indeed is a complicated process; therefore, if you don’t have prior experience, suitable tools, and proper understanding of the subject, it is recommended to hire a product prototype development company. If you are living the United States of America, and searching a product development company, then contact us. We are GID, a new product Design and Development Company, offering professional prototyping services to entrepreneurs and investors.

To explore our expertise in prototype development, please visit our portfolio @ www.gidcompany.com/our-portfolio/, or to share your concept, feel free to contact us @ www.gidcompany.com/contact-us