How to scale up a hardware project for commercial application?

Question

I made a functioning prototype of a Raspberry Pi project that I think has applications in a retail environment. I intend to demo this project for local stores in the coming weeks. As I do, I want to start thinking about the design of the product, the layout of its wiring, the construction of the housing, which consists of metal, glass, and plastic elements. I also want to start thinking about how to manufacture a completed design. What steps does one take, who does you hire, what resources do you take advantage of, in the process of turning a prototype into a product? Right now, the people involved are myself, with a smattering of knowledge on the hardware and software sides, and a software engineer, who has little knowledge of the hardware side. Who do you hire to consider the design challenges, and where do you find them?

JPLeRouzic · Accepted Answer

I am not the best person for that but IMO you should know:
* The regulations that apply to this device and to each type of point of sale. Regulations may relate to safety, sales conditions and after-sales guarantees.
* What profiles have your buyers and how to satisfy them.
* How to secure provisioning
* How to scale your business, not only in terms of marketing costs, but also how to manage cash requirements, supply, after-sales cost.