Configuration software

There are many softwares supporting sales. Customer relationship management software, crm, helps the sales organistation to work together in an organized way. The leading CRM software include SalesForce.com, Dynamics from Microsoft and Sugar (open source).

A crm software keeps track of Accounts, Contacts, Opportunities and Leads.With reporting in the crm software it's possible to get a consolidated view of current sales activities.

Some crm software include configuration software for the sales build-to-order products. Configure one is a configuration software vendor with 90000 searches per month. Software for ecommerce sometimes include configuration software. Big machines is the second most searched configuration software with 60000 searches per months.

Knit on demand

Knit On Demand was launched as a project at the Swedish School of Textiles. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe all processes in concept from the time the customer enters the store until the Knit On Demand garments manufactured and supplied to the customer.

Read more about Knit On Demand.

The Usefulness of Modularization, Mass Customization, Postpnement and Customer Order Decoupling Poing Acrss the Product Life Cycle

"By means of a causal loop diagram, the relationships between the different concepts are explored, all finally connecting to one of two business benefits: cost reduction or customer value enhancement."

Read more at LiU

Joseph Pine at TED on what consumers want

Here's an interesting video on customer wants given at the TED conference by Joseph Pine.

Shapeways

Shapeways is an example of mass customization on the web. Check it out.

Are You Ready for Mass Customization?

An interesting article by Carmen Mager (CEO of chocri) askes these questions to determine if you are ready for Mass Customization:

 

Have you defined your solution space?

Will you have your own production facility or outsource?

Do you know the appropriate price level for your product?

Have you explored alternative ways to market your product?

Do you have a plan for scaling your business?

 

Read more at BNET

Mass customization definition

Joseph Pine (1993) defines mass customization as ”developing, producing, marketing and delivering affordable goods, and services with enough variety and customization that nearly everyone finds exactly what they want.”

Basically what you need when you need it. Mass customization aims to produce goods that suits customer needs with near mass production efficiency.