Care devices

Autumn Case 2011.

Turning-Cuatro.

Displacing-Cuatro.

María Fátima Ramos-Flores 163579

José Ramos-Martín 163580

Alberto Rey Varela 163581

I N N O V A T I O N A N D P R O D U C T D E S I G N

AUTUNM CASE! PAGE 1 / 33

Index.

Introduction 3.

Devices 4.

Substitutes 5.

Substitutes Matrix 8.

Conclusions of the Matrix 9.

Technical Features 10.

Features Matrix 11.

Conclusions of the Matrix 12.

Market and economic feasibility of the innovation 13.

Price 15

Promotion and Place 17.

Expected Cost of marketing 18.

Investment, Margins and Turnover 19.

Cash Flow 21.

Fixed Unit Cost 23.

Plans 25.



Introduction.

Unfortunately in this world there are many disable people who can not do the basic daily tasks. Many of them need just some help but others need totally assistance, so it is a requirement to consider the different handicaps to give them their specific attention.

It is a fact that the methods and elements used to accomplish their task to care the patients can be improved.

After our brainstorming session, we have reached the conclusion that the crane works perfectly and it does not require any improvement. One of our first intentions is reducing the money invested in the caring of the patients. As it seems to us, the main reason of spending money is the necessitate of two people in the process of displacing the patient and caring him. According to this conclusion, we have focused our efforts in decreasing this number from two to one.

The requirement of employing two people appears mainly in the need of turning the patient and adjusting the devices to displacing the patient from one place to another.

As a consequence, we have focused on the part of displacement that concerns turning the patient to change his clothes, etc., and the device which will be introduced under him for lifting him and displacing him to the toilet, bath or any required place.



Devices.

As a brand, Cuatro will launch two devices improving the existing instruments. We will mention them as: Turning-Cuatro and Displacing-Cuatro.

These are the functions we consider essential and needed to deal with and improve:

1. Device for turning the patient, Turning-Cuatro:

• Reduce the price.

• Comfort while turning.

• Flexible mobility.

• Reduction of time usage.

• Handling of body cleaning.

• Giving dignity to the patient.

• Easy to use.

• Easy to clean.

2. Device for lifting and displacing the patient, Displacing-Cuatro:

• Reduce the price.

• Comfort while lifting.

• Flexible mobility.

• Reduction of time usage.

• Handling of body cleaning.

• Handling of toilet visits.

• Giving dignity to the patient.

• Easy to use.

• Easy to clean.



Substitutes.

Examining the existing market, different devices can be found. Comparing them to ours, the only thing that can be compared with our device for turning the patient, is the second employed who helps in this task. However, there are many devices that can be substitute of the device specialized in displacing the patient.In the matrix comparing with the substitute we have utilized, for the first case the second person who is in this process of turning the patient, and in the second case another device more used in this market.

In order to compare our devices with the competition, in other words, the substitute, we decided to focused more in the improvements of ours devices, so the functions have been adapted according to that. We have given every function related with every devices a number from 0 to 3, and add at the end to have a quantitative value.

Turning-Cuatro.



Substitute.

Displacing-Cuatro.



Substitute.



Substitute Matrix.



Conclusions of the Matrix.

There is not another device that fulfills the functions as Turning-Cuatro and Displacing-Cuatro do.

Focusing on Turning-Cuatro we can say that the fact that only one person will be needed in the process of caring the patient will save money. Obviously, the device costs some money, but not more than the salary of another person.

The price of Turning-Cuatro will be approximately 45 €. Considering the man hour 40 €/hour, working 8 hours per day, and 20 days in a month, the salary of the healthcare assistant would be 3860 € (deducting taxes). If we take into account that the healthcare assistant can use Turning-Cuatro instead of be helped by another employee, we can see clearly that it will be a considerable saving money.

Also, talking about Displacing-Cuatro, having four points of supports and two positions give ergonomic and comfort while displacing to the patient. Using only two points of them we will have the same positions than another devices have, but using the four points we will have the other position, and that is a big advantage as the patient will be displaced to the bath in a position lying more than for going to the toilet, so it will be easier to adjust the device and him to the bath and the toilet.



Technical Features.

The QFD is a method based on the needs of the new product in order to find the best features that provides more quality. In other words, the matrix QFD relates the functions with the technical or physics features of the products.The functions have been mentioned already, and the characteristics of the devices to consider are:

1. Device for turning the patient:

• Size of the curved part.

• Material.

• Length.

• Width.

• Thickness.

• Ergonomic.

• Stiffness.

2. Device for lifting and displacing the patient:

• Material.

• Length.

• Width.

• Thickness.

• Ergonomic.

• Stiffness.

• Length of the strings.

• Size of the orifice.



Features Matrix.



Conclusions of the Matrix.

This matrix compares the requirements of the devices with the technical features but also, the technical features between them.

Analyzing Turning-Cuatro we can confirm that the most important characteristic to take into account is the material, as we can see the strong relation with the comfort while turning the patient, flexible mobility and easy to clean. In addition the function more interesting for the patient is the comfort while turning. What's more, thickness of the device is very important due to the need of introducing it under the patient.

In addition, in the analysis of Displacing-Cuatro, comfort while lifting is the function more interesting for the patient also, as it seems logical. However, this matrix does not show only a list of importance of functions and features, but also how to solve the actual problems improving and focusing in the features.

If we look at the triangle that appears in the upper part, we can see the relation of the features with themselves, and once more, ergononic (considering it similar than comfort) is one of the most related.

Comfort and ergonomic, for all practical purposes can be considered the same, but it is not. Comfort is related to the need the patient feel, but ergonomic is an aspect of a good design in this issue, it is a physical feature.

So.... what is the main aim? Designing two devices which will make easier the caring of the patients, will give them dignity while they will be turning or transporting to another room, and cheaper it will be, further it will be able to go and take care of more people so the same resources would be able to be spread in more people who needs them.



Market and economic feasibility of the innovation.

What does CUATRO offer? After doing a business strategy regards in our policies of redesign the currently existing products, we have done and identified a broad rangers and types of our study product about helping the patient to carry out the basic needs in a bathroom.

We have achieved a way of market pull versus technologic push.

The currently patient-lift mixed with the rails are sincerely the most safe and effective way to raise the patient up in a clean and fast way, and move totally around a big room.

We have focused on all kind of gadgets and supplements which get used to use the staff members. The main objects are the cloth-lift and the gadget to turn the patient (to introduce the cloth-lift under him and to keep him turned while he is showered).

Both devices require the presence of two staff, and as a result it gets wrong positions of the patients, being the main fact to delete the second staff in our plan product.

The product variety are presented in our attempt, we can offer two different independents devices.

CUATRO is going to present 2 new devices :

Turning-Cuatro.

Displacing-Cuatro.

What do our devices offer ?.

• Reduce the number of staff during all the movement in one.

• Be able to put the patient in two positions (to use the toilet and to shower ).

• Position with four pinch points in the same bar.

• Strengthen the back area of the patient and keep it straight.

• Avoid any force human and prevent staff injuries.

• Improve the currently products with a huge investment.

• Incorporation fast, easy and agile in the cranes installed.



The quality is having in mind with both products, the displacing is totally sewing and only made by just two materials, easy to clean and save. The turning is made by one piece, totally indestructible and a little flexible in case of big loads. Therefore the warranty of the product in case of a good used will be 2 years.

The packaging tries to be the cheapest and lightest possible, a common recyclable transparent polymer.

The good design and versatility of the products results to only one size of the products, making it easier to combine to several kinds of patients and for the logistic of the hospitals.



Price.

In spite of the fact that we have achieved to reduce the number of staff in a half, CUATRO gets to reduce the price of the new devices.

The displacing device has a fast automatic manufacturing able to produce a huge volume, and the turning device is made by only one injection and mold, very cheap way instead of the current with several seams and belts.

The price of manufactured expenses and the material are reflected in the enclose tables.

1. Turning-Cuatro.



RATES in Euros. 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total

Expected sales volume. 300 900 1800 3600 5200 11.800

Expected salesprice. 20 21 22 23 24

Direct Cost. 2 2 2 2 2

Margin I. 19 19 20 21 22

Margin I %. 92,5% 90,5% 90,9% 91,3% 91,7%

Unit Cost calculation:

Direct cost ( variable ). EUROS

Materials. 1

Manpower. 0,6

Total. 1,6

2. Displacing-Cuatro.

Like a discount CUATRO offers different prices for the heavy sales (sales of more than 100 devices, for instead). The payment has to be in one time, or in periods concluded with the customers, we are selling the devices with a low price to big companies with a great solvency.



RATES in Euros. 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total


Expected salesprice. 42 44 45 47 48

Direct Cost. 5 5 4 4 4

Margin I. 37 39 41 43 44

Margin I %. 87,1% 88,6% 91,1% 91,5% 91,7%

Unit Cost calculation:

Direct cost ( variable ). EUROS

Materials. 3

Manpower. 2,4

Total. 5,4

Promotion and Place.

Our main ways to get a good marketing of the product are a smart web with all kind of information and data of the company and the products as well as a fast communication way incrusted in the web (application form), and the other way by a good trained sale-man in the area of the product.

The sales-man is in charge to go, not directly to the hospitals, but directly to the commercial department or the company which supply and choose all the devices used in hospitals or residences, so on.

Depending on the country the hospitals are managed by the government or by healthy companies, we try to get the contact with the position in charge of the maximum amount of resources.

We begin the sales and the promotion here, in Denmark, and try to expand in 5 years to the closed countries.

In the first year the sales-man will go directly to do a live demonstration of our products in all the sales department available only in Denmark, and as the same time try to raise awareness via email and post in all the boundary countries.

The next years the sales-man will go to the cities or countries which have done interested in our product, trying to do an efficient business trip.

It is important, to keep in touch with the costumers, the product provides with a card contact and obviously a fast reference in the web with any kind of manuals and contact information.

During all this promotion time, the salesman has to be present in the mean shows and exhibitions that take place in Europe.

Not forgetting the Asia and America market, since its fifth year the company can appoint a distributor working by commission around this location.

All the distribution of products is by a Denmark courier company, departure from Denmark, the expenses of deliver take paid by the costumer.



Expected Cost of marketing.

Like the document enclose “”, the costs expected are from:

• Develop the web and the cost of year.• Maintenance : 5000 €/year.• Keep the server and the web : 1000€/year.• Salary of sales-man: 60.000 €/year.• Expenses (flights, fuel, food, accommodation...): 20.000 €/year.

As a conclusion, the sales volume average estimated for both products are showed in the “Simple economic innovation assessment”.

1. Turning-Cuatro.




2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total


2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total


Investment, Margins and Turnover.

1.Turning-Cuatro.

RATES to 1000 €. 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total

Turnover. 13 26 54 113 230 436

Direct cost. 2 3 5 10 19 38

Margin I. 11 23 49 103 211 398

Marketing Expenses. 40 52 52 52 52 248

Margin II. -29 -29 -3 51 159 150


Investments (EURO).

Engineering. 3,600

Equipment & Machines. 30,000

Total. 33,600



Investments (EURO).

Engineering. 3,600

Equipment & Machines. 60,000

Total. 63,600



RATES to 1.000 Euro. 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total

Turnover. 9 19 40 83 125 275

Direct cost. 0 2 4 7 10 23

Margin I. 9 17 36 76 114 252

Marketing Expenses. 20 25 26 27 28 126

Margin II. -11 -8 10 49 86 126

Cash Flow.

1.Turning-Cuatro.

2.Displacing-Cuatro.

( 1.000 EURO ). 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Cash Flow. -64 -29 -29 -3 51 159

Cumulated cash Flow. -64 -93 -121 -124 -73 86



1.000 EURO 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Cash Flow -34 -11 -8 10 49 86

Cumulated Cash Flow. -34 -45 -53 -43 6 92

-75

-50

-25

0

25

50

75

100

1 2 3 4 5 6

Cash FlowCummulated cash Flow



-150

-100

-50

0

50

100

150

200

1 2 3 4 5 6

Cash Flow.Cummulated cash Flow.

Fixed Unit Cost.

1.Turning-Cuatro.



Volume of sales first five years.

Fixed Unit cost.

1,000 34

2,000 17

3,000 11

4,000 8

5,000 7

6,000 6

7,000 5

8,000 4

9,000 4

10,000 3

0

38

75

113

150

0 2,500 5,000 7,500 10,000

Fixed Unit cost

EUR

O -

Ea

ch

Units sold over 5 Year

2.Displacing-Cuatro.



Volume of sales first five years.

Fixed Unit cost.

1,000 64

2,000 32

3,000 21

4,000 16

5,000 13

6,000 11

7,000 9

8,000 8

9,000 7

10,000 6

0

38

75

113

150

0 2,500 5,000 7,500 10,000

Fixed Unit cost

EUR

O -

Ea

ch

Units sold over 5 Year

Plans.

















Autumn Case 2011.

Turning-Cuatro.

Displacing-Cuatro.

María Fátima Ramos-Flores 163579

José Ramos-Martín 163580

Alberto Rey Varela 163581

