Identify Customer Needs

Table of Contents

Step 1. Gather Raw Data From Customers

Mr. Eula Dozier visits RIT
- Conducted by Group on 09.19.07
- Lunch with Ryan & Reid followed
Accomplishments
- Introduced to Prototype
- Received prototype, files, & test apparatus
- Interviewed customer
  - Worked for the City as a general contractor
  - Idea came to him one day browsing a site (1997)
  - 10 year long development
  - Submitted concept designs to Invent-Tech (2001)
    - Created designs for a device that would not function
    - Loaded portfolio with poor market evaluation
    - Little true value
  - Collaborated with P-Tool & Die
    - Created CAD designs for version 1
    - Produced version 1 (later scrapped)
    - Produced version 2 (current prototype)
    - Slow development with lots of trial & error
  - Never laid tiles himself
  - No flooring contractor contacts

Tile Shop: Conducted by Reid Williamson & Ryan Hellems on 10.03.07; 400 Jefferson Road; Rochester, NY 14623; 585.424.2180; Toured extensive showroom of ceramic tiles and natural stone. No VCT products. Business specializes in DIY customer and provides clinics. Introduced to preparation requirements and limited array of tools available. Received list of recommended contractors.; StoreVisit(Tile_Shop).doc; Tile_Shop(Recommended_Contractors).jpg

Sail-On Carpets: Conducted by Reid Williamson & Ryan Hellems on 10.03.07; 2710 W Henrietta Rd; Rochester, NY 14623; 585.475.9950; Met with Joe Rizzo and Brian. Introduced to wide variety of flooring choices and installation procedures. Majority of business is residential. Passed on their installation contractor Jim Pavone @ Premier.; StoreVisit(Sail_On_Carpets).doc

United Carpet Brokers: Conducted by Reid Williamson & Ryan Hellems on 10.11.07; 3495 Winton Pl Ste C; Rochester, NY 14623; 585.424.6590; Met with Kevin Nasser to discuss innovation opportunities. Introduced to carpet tiles and potentially parallel installation procedure. Business is 90% commercial.; StoreVisit(United_CarpetBrokers).doc

Tim Booher (Independent Contractor): Conducted by Ryan Hellems on 10.16.07; PhoneInterview(Mike_Tim_Booher).doc
Quantify Installation Time: Conducted by Reid Williamson

Tim Booher (Independent Contractor): Conducted by Reid Williamson & Ryan Hellems on 10.25.07; SiteVisit(Mike_Tim_Booher).doc

Mr. Eula Dozier
- Visited RIT on 09.19.07
- Main Customer
- Email: EDozier@rochester.rr.com
- Developed prototype "tile measurer"
Jim Pavone @ Premier
- Contacted by phone & fax
- Performs installations for Sail-On Carpets
Kevin Nasser @ United Carpet Brokers
- Store Visit on 10.11.07

Tim Booher (Independent Contractor)
- Phone Interview on 10.16.07
- Site Visit on 10.26.07
- Recommended by Tile Shop

Qualify Function Deployment (QFD)

Quantified Engineering Metrics

Required significant effort to meet with customers
Challenging to obtain needs for an innovative product
- Set in their habitual ways
- Low-tech industry
Further testing will develop specifications
Will continue communication with professional contacts