Prosumer

The term prosumer ( from the English word " prosumer " or " " ) refers to consumers or customers who are producers simultaneously. It is often used in conjunction with social media. The term is also used to refer to professional clients ( consumers ), Example: " Professional and manufacturing are more elaborate 3- chip cameras, commonly referred to as prosumer models ".

The term is a portmanteau word, ie a word formation that has arisen by fusion of at least two word segments to a substantially new concept.

Producer & consumer

Alvin Toffler introduced in 1980 in the book " The Third Wave " ( "The Third Wave" ) in the phrase. He referred to those same consumers, so consumers (English: "consumer " ) as well as producers, so manufacturers ( English: " producer" ), of of them are used. As part of the personalization of the consumer goods are ( voluntarily ) price information about his preferences, which are the basis for the creation of the actual good. The consumer is part of the production process and thus to a certain extent, to the producer of the goods.

From about 2008, the term is used in Germany in the context of user - generated content on the Internet. With the development of social networks and the increasing number of blogs consumers of information on the Web are often also their producers. The main motives are pleasure and fun exchange of ideas in the creation of posts.

Professional & Consumer

Regardless of the definition by Toffler emerged at the end of the 20th century a second meaning, composed of the English terms "professional" and " consumer " - ie " professionist " and " consumer". This describes a class of products that are aimed at a target group that stands between the simple consumers and professional users ( "professional" ).

A characteristic feature of these products is that they offer a performance that go far beyond the needs of the user the opportunity and often require an advanced skill to use is. Products in this market segment are also referred to as " semi-professional ". The term prosumer or prosumer is relatively common in this second meaning. For instance, referred Prosumerkamera semi-professional digital cameras that usually have a slightly higher resolution and image quality than compact digital cameras and similar settings offer such as professional digital cameras, but not the entire function and scope of equipment such as sealing against water and dust penetration or the possibility auto focus in dark situations.