In this concept, different mass consumer groups get targeted in mass customization rather than just targeting a single consumer base. This particular concept is used by many different types for instance in software that allows users to add certain functionalities. Most people refer to this concept as “build to order” or “made to order”.
The four main phases of mass customization include collaborative, adaptive, cosmetic, and transparent customizations. The flexibility of mass customization enables the customer or retailer to mix and match the modules into different configurations and eventually realize a final custom-made product.
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Mass customization is the use of standardization and scale economies to deliver wide-market goods and services tailored to suit specific customer’s requirements in high volumes and at a reasonable low cost.
Below are the four main types of mass customization, each with different characteristics and are applied under different conditions: 1. Collaborative customization. Companies work in collaboration with customers who cannot articulate what they want and are not in a position to specify their preferred options.
Mass Production Mass production is the manufacturing of the same standardized product lines for a prolonged period of time. Mass production uses automation
The cosmetic customization approach is used when end-users prefer similar features and differ only in how they want it packaged. In such a case, companies produce standardized products and present them in different ways that suit customers. For example, the products’ attributes are advertised or displayed differently.
Another sector that embraces mass customization is the financial industry, which is characterized by the growth of independent and free-only companies. Mass customization attempts to give companies a competitive edge by providing unique value to their customers at lower costs associated with mass production.
The transparent customization approach is mostly used when companies can predict their customers’ specific needs, especially when customers do not prefer stating their preferences repeatedly. Companies need not overstate that the products are customized when providing them; rather, they customize products within a standard package based on customers’ behavior and with no direct interaction.
Mass customization is the capability, realized by a few companies, to offer individually tailored products or services on a large scale.
Mass-production systems can be adapted to make several different varieties of a product. Items from automobiles to toothpaste are manufactured in that way. In addition to deciding whether and when to buy, a customer selects one of the variants. The production facility must be somewhat flexible — enough to switch between variants with few delays and at a low cost, thereby retaining economies of scale.
The great virtue of mass production is economy of scale. Production facilities are typically expensive and inflexible, but variable production costs are low. Also, after production, the finished product is stocked in inventory, which serves to meet customer demands. Mass-production systems can be adapted to make several different varieties ...
Mass customization is actually quite an important business concept. Plenty of brands are adopting it in today’s day and age. The concept is also used a lot of times in marketing strategies for service and product lines to get better recognition.
You can charge a higher price point for the customized products, and only the initial costs of investment is high- but this definitely ensures very high profits. In today’s day and age, with technology as your backbone- flexibility of software and systems can definitely help with high customization of orders too- that too with utmost ease.
However, your manufacturing processes need to be attuned to digital productization to get ahead with this technology. When it comes to mass consumption, digital practices and digital transition is the path paved for you.
Ideally, choosing a platform for eCommerce mass customization can really help you. Your worry comes in automating your inventory and manufacturing processes as the online order and customer interaction becomes digital and easy to manage. Some of the top features that you can look for in terms of mass customization include the following:
Mass customization or made-to-order allows customers to receive personalized products and services at a relatively low cost. Using this business strategy, a company delivers unique value to its consumers based on specific requirements. The flexible manufacturing process involves using computer-aided information and individual customization to design and develop a custom-made product. Stan Davis, a business thinker, first introduced the concept in his book “Future Perfect.“
In this customization technique, customers get a standard product or service with the option to personalize, modify, or reconfigure it per their preferences.
It is the process of businesses providing unique products and services within a standard package to specific customers without informing them that they are customized. Companies accomplish this by observing consumer behaviors over time and predicting their preferences without interacting with them directly.
Puts burden of cost on manufacturers to maintain excess inventory levels because of variable demand
Small manufacturers do not prefer made-to-order, as they cannot invest in expensive technologies for customization. Businesses of various sizes adopt mass production.