Preliminary concept sketch

Concept development model

FDM prototype

"One thing I can tell you about the MAGNET PDD team: they'll tell you like it is. They will tell you even if you don't want to hear it," says Nash. "And, in retrospect they were pretty much on target."

For example, Nash says the MAGNET PDD team's process helped Halcyon refocus its target market to a very specific niche segment.

In November 2006, the FireGround Compass prototype units received and enthusiastic response at the Fire Department Safety Instructors Officers meeting in Orlando, Florida. Nash says the consensus was that the FireGround Compass should become required equipment.

"One officer told us he followed the hose line three times-and kept ending up at the nozzle," says Moore. "He said our compass would've turned him in the right direction. Another firechief told us his department lost two men last year to just this kind of situation. If they'd had the FireGround Compass, they might've gotten out without injury."

In mid-2007, Halcyon sent the prototypes to 70 fire departments around the country for beta-testing. The results of that research have helped Halcyon and PDD refine and improve the design even more. Moore hopes to bring the product to market in late 2008.

"We're still tweaking things," said Nash. "But without MAGNET's Product Design and Development team, we wouldn't be where we are now."

"Steve and I did not know anything about the new product process-design through production," says Moore. "The MAGNET PDD team educated us step-by-step. Now I feel much more confident about the next product we're planning to develop."