Keeping Silicon Valley Product Development Teams Competitive

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Product Realization Group (PRG) (www.productrealizationgroup.com) today announced a certificate program designed for Silicon Valley hardware professionals looking to improve their competitive edge when introducing new products. To deliver this new three-month, continuing education certificate program, PRG has teamed with the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) in the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.

"With strong signs of economic recovery now apparent, this is the perfect time for hardware professionals to refresh their skills when it comes to launching new products," said Michael Keer, founder and CEO of the Product Realization Group. "With a focus on the practical application of engineering best practices, this program follows a 'real' product through the new product development and introduction processes (NDP/NPI)."

Past participants applaud the program's end-to-end approach to new product introduction:

Rob Bisallion, Director of Operations - New Product Introduction, Verigy - "... the experienced instructors did a superb job of providing insight into the essential elements of a successful new product introduction. This was further enhanced with class participation and team work in the performance of a very interesting project assignment. Overall, it was a very valuable experience for me."

Jessica Warring, Sr. Project Manager, Triple Ring Technologies - "The field trips were especially helpful to show the various pieces of the product realization process implemented within different organizations ... we learned valuable lessons that enabled us to understand the thinking, the process and the language of new product introduction."

Stan St. Leger-Barter, Supply Base Engineer, NetApp - "... the program gave me a broad-based, end-to-end view of what it takes to bring a product concept to reality, with practical guidance and useful details."

The program is structured in five modules that cover: 1) marketing concept / engineering development; 2) product reliability; 3) configuration management; 4) supply chain; and 5) business compliance. A capstone presentation is included. Classes begin March 20th and then meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. The program runs until May 29th.

With increasing globalization and offshoring, the program also offers new tools for increasing innovation and competitiveness using US-based expertise and services. By leveraging new concepts, such as Agile Hardware Development, the program is ideal for design engineers, engineering program managers, document control and operations engineering and supply chain personnel (including managers). All materials are presented by practicing subject matter experts. Two local factory tours are included in the program. Class meetings will be held at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California.

Registration and more information is available at:
http://www.productrealizationgroup.com/index.php?/events/product_realization_certificate_program1/

About Foothill-De Anza Community College District and the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies

Foothill-De Anza Community College District serves more than 45,000 students a year at two locations, Foothill College in Los Altos Hills and De Anza College in Cupertino. The district's Center for Applied Competitive Technologies offers customized on-site training delivered in a flexible way that is oriented to direct business application. For more information, visit http://www.makingitincalifornia.com/centers_deanza.php.

About Product Realization Group

Product Realization Group is the only one-stop-shop of product lifecycle services customized for electronic high-tech businesses. PRG enables rapid and cost effective introduction of products to the market, regulatory compliance, manufacturing, service, and lifecycle support. Engagements are tailored to fit business and product profiles. Twenty PRG companies currently deliver services to over 400 high technology clients. For additional information, please call (408) 427-4645, email [email protected] or visit www.productrealizationgroup.com.  

CONTACT: Michael Keer, (408) 427-4645, [email protected]

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SOURCE Product Realization Group