Product Development: Current Clamp Meters
In 2006, Fluke Electronics faced a threat from a new competitor in the current clamp meter product category: the “Tightsite” dual display model from Ideal Industries.
To understand and begin the counterattack against this threat, I recruited and conducted a series of focus groups with third-party electrical contractors who typically serviced commercial accounts in suburban Milwaukee, as well as industrial plant electricians based in heavy manufacturing industries on Milwaukee’s south side.
We needed to know:
To understand and begin the counterattack against this threat, I recruited and conducted a series of focus groups with third-party electrical contractors who typically serviced commercial accounts in suburban Milwaukee, as well as industrial plant electricians based in heavy manufacturing industries on Milwaukee’s south side.
We needed to know:
- How had the introduction of Ideal’s “Tightsite” model, which featured a second easy-to-read display on the bottom of the instrument, changed end-user expectations for this product category?
- What could Fluke do to win current clamp meter sales not only vs. the new Ideal “Tightsite” model, but vs. traditional Amprobe customers in industrial markets?
- What were future needs for clamp meter end-users? What improvements, new features, capabilities, etc. would they like to see?
Results: Fluke gained valuable insight into the marketplace, and moved forward with developing a new series of current clamp meters, all of which included a new “hold display” function that made it easier for electricians to take readings in poorly lit and cramped electrical panels. (http://www.fluke.com/fluke/r0en/products/clamp-meters)
