VIRTUAL PRODUCT DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENT IN CUSTOMER-CENTERED DESIGN APPROACH

Improvements in computer and communication technologies enable a shift from manufacturer-centric innovation to customer-centered innovation. As customers' needs are often heterogeneous, many customers are dissatisfied with the commercial products. This article determines a need for customer-centered approach in product development domain. Recent improvements in collaboration environments that would systematically involve users into the innovation process and enable user customization are described.