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From: casi@sail.uwaterloo.ca (Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute)
Subject: REQUEST for Participation: NN Market Survey
Sender: news@novice.uwaterloo.ca (Mr. News)
Message-ID: <E7M2KG.C2G@novice.uwaterloo.ca>
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 1997 18:12:15 GMT
Reply-To: ssingh@ionline.net
Nntp-Posting-Host: steam.uwaterloo.ca
Organization: University of Waterloo
Keywords: neural network market potential
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Xref: glinda.oz.cs.cmu.edu comp.ai.neural-nets:36791 comp.ai:44966 sci.engr.biomed:8952


Hello.

I am a student at the University of Waterloo. I am doing a Technology
Entrepeneurship course, and I think it would be interesting to survey
the commercial potential for neural network technology.

I would very much like to hear what you've got to say and I will
forward summaries to anyone who participates in this survey
and requests a copy.

I'd appreciate it if you would take the time to read this and reply
to me via e-mail: ssingh@ionline.net (please don't post to the net) with the 
following information:

Name:
Position:
Company or School:
Address:
Phone #:
E-mail:
Number of Employees:


Industry (ie. software):
Market (what does your company sell?):

Please specify your:

Level of neural net experience (0 through 10) using the following
scale as a general guide:

0 =  no knowledge of neural nets in particular

5 =  have general understanding of one or more algorithms and can
     solve problems comparable to what might be assigned in a university
     undergrad course in the subject

7   = mathematical understanding of at least one paradigm with respect to
      classification or learning 

8.5 = theoretical understanding of statistical pattern recognition principles
      or specific mathematical theorems regarding computability and NNs.

10 =  active and ongoing research or technology management at a company or
      university

Additional comments: {Please add any additional relevant information}

and please also specify your:

Level of business management/marketing experience (0 through 10):

0 =   minimal experience managing business aspects such as cash flow,
      financial projections, etc.

2.5 = manage personal finances with software

5 =  some relevant business management experiences such as taking courses
     or preparing a business plan, or making nontrivial purchasing decisions
     at your facility

7.5   involved in a managerial role in terms of technology acquisitions, or 
      development at a company or university

8.5   you are in a senior administrative position at your company

10    you own your own company, or sit on the board of directors of a
      corporation

Additional comments: {Please add any additional relevant information}


THE SURVEY...

0. What aspects of neural networks do you find interesting or intriguing,
   or of concern?

1. What general markets do you see for neural network technology?

2. What sorts of new products could be created with software neural networks?
   (neural network architecture implemented as a computer program and
    run by a general-purpose or specialized processor) 

3. What sorts of new products created with hardware-based networks?
   (a dedicated circuit implementation of the algorithm, may or may not
    have learning abilities)

4. What existing products could be enhanced with software neural networks?

5. What existing products could be enhanced with hardware-based networks?

6. Do you know if your company could benefit from the abilities of 
   neural networks? If so, please explain, and how this was discovered.

7. Would your company pay for a feasibility study to assess the potential
   for neural networks to improve your product or process? Please suggest
   a ballpark figure that your company would be comfortable with.

8. What kinds of criteria would you want satisfied, before you would
   contract out to an external company to implement a neural network
   solution to your process or problem? Please be thorough.

9. After the solution is implemented, what specific kinds of after-sale
   support would you be expecting to be able to choose from?

10. For the different kinds of support options that are available, what do
    you consider to be a reasonable pricing structure for this kind of 
    custom information system design solution?

Additional comments:

Thanks very much for your time. It is appreciated and valued. In return for
your effort in replying to this request, I am prepared to make available
to you a summary of this market analysis, if you wish.

Please e-mail me if you have any further questions: ssingh@ionline.net

Respectfully,

S. Singh


-- 
--------------------- Join CASI/SEDS UW Today! -----------------
Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
Office: E2 1306D   Phone: x6836   http://sail.uwaterloo.ca/~casi



-- 
--------------------- Join CASI/SEDS UW Today! -----------------
Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
Office: E2 1306D   Phone: x6836   http://sail.uwaterloo.ca/~casi
