Partner Magazine logo 12

The function of product management covers planning, guiding, and control- ling a product – from development right through to withdrawal of the product from the market. The aim in our sector is to achieve the best possible result for our customers but most of all for their pati- ents. Launching new products is always an exciting task that everyone looks forward to. It is a fascinating but also polarizing issue and a challenging task: The product range should remain small and manage- able, but different problems require spe- ci c solutions, possibly several because of varying preferences. There have also been different approaches used over time: A new product is developed, taking a step forward that starts a trend, or an existing solution is simply copied. Well evaluated and implemented product management helps provide qualitatively better knowledge about a product, technical changes, and customer needs. To nd solutions to these in part contradictory requirements needs a great deal of commitment – but it is also a great deal of fun. On the day of a product launch, the who- le team is excited and everyone works at a fever pitch to ensure that everything goes as planned. This is why we are particularly pleased to be able to present two impor- tant innovations in this edition of logo. Firstly, in July 2015 screw-retained gingiva formers, impression posts for open and closed impression taking, and several pre- fabricated abutments and accessories were added to the prosthetics portfolio of the iSy Implant System. Then in October we introduced COMFOUR ™ , an occlusal screw- retained solution for straight and angled bar abutments for edentulous patients. In both projects, we made a deliberate decision to work intensively with our cus- tomers. It is our objective to develop so- lutions for you as clinicians that simplify your routine tasks and create added va- lue. And it appears that listening to you has paid off, because the reports coming in from the test market for COMFOUR™, for example, have been very positive. This is particularly pleasing because we did not simply follow the path of least resistance and copy a familiar competing product but rather we addressed the wishes of and challenges faced by users. As well as these major product launches, we are continuing to optimize and supplement our existing range. An example of this is the abutment for temporary restorations made of titanium for CAMLOG mentioned above. I hope you thoroughly enjoy reading the ar- ticles and wish you much success with our new products. Sincerely Christian Rähle Director of Product Management, Deve- lopment & Regulatory Affairs 2 Dear Reader EDITORIAL