(This is the eighth in a series on The Power of Choice – Leveraging Configuration Technology to Differentiate, Simplify, Perform and Win, by Mike Shields, Co-Founder and CEO of eLogic Group.)

Handling specialized demand can be even more challenging than MTS or ATO. Design to Order demand requires that the best practices of Type 1 & 2 Demand are in place – plus the ability to design specialized features into the offering… to make sure that they fit, work, are properly specified, have the right costs, the right price, the right documentation, fit into the planning and fulfillment process and can be delivered and installed. It’s a lot of differentiation.

The market rewards efficiency and effectiveness in these higher value add solutions – both products and services. This is where it can become increasingly difficult for competitors to enter your markets and entice your customers away. It is where core competencies should always WIN and DOMINATE against commoditized solutions… AS LONG AS THEY ARE HANDLED WITH EFFICIENCY, ACCURACY AND TIMELINESS.