Chicago-based Audio Product Design Firm Gains Momentum

CEntrance, Inc., a cutting-edge product development consulting firm in its third year of operation, is gaining recognition in the Audio Industry. The company has recently added Harman International to its impressive list of clients, which already includes key industry players such as Shure Incorporated and Sound Devices. CEntrance performs outsourced product design for a wide range of installed and portable devices for wireless audio, handheld computing, MP3 recording, USB 2.0, 1394, 802.11 and offers its own ASIO and MIDI drivers for Mac™ and Windows™ platforms on a licensing basis.

CEntrance provides a full spectrum of outsourced services to equipment manufacturers and resellers by implementing the firm's proprietary "360° NPD™" (New Product Development) Process. This approach allows the company to increase the value to its clients by developing turnkey solutions on-time and on budget.

Comments Michael Goodman, Managing Director of CEntrance, "The particular value we offer to the manufacturer involves our ability to bridge the gap between innovation and cost reduction. While our initial focus has been on hardware and software development, we've recently added projects involving Human Factors and User Interface applications. Our intimate understanding of the entire process of product development - from conducting focus groups with customers to ensuring manufacturability of the final product - ensures smooth transitions at every step of the way."

CEntrance was established in February 2000 by Michael Goodman, who contributes over 18 years of experience in management of product development with large and small companies. A great deal of experience with outsourcing led Michael to believe that the industry needed an alternative to the shortcomings of a traditional design firm. "CEntrance is designed to scale to the client opportunity, becoming a functional extension of a company's project team, or delivering a turnkey solution, ready for volume production. We can utilize our relationships with manufacturing partners worldwide to bring products to market quickly and cost-effectively," notes Michael.

Prior to founding CEntrance, Michael spent ten years with Shure, Inc. where he managed the development of many wireless and digital audio products still used in recording studios, broadcast facilities and music stages around the world. Michael is a co-author of the AES digitally interfaced microphone standard, AES42. Most recently, Michael was VP of Engineering at FullAudio. He holds a BSEE, a Masters Degree in Computer Science and an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Kellogg. Michael co-founded two other companies and is listed on issued and pending patents.