Mass Customization & Open Innovation News

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 24): Bamford Watch Department: If a Rolex Is Not Special Enough

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Great Idea, Nicely Done, Limited Target Group

Today's featured customizer stands out a bit. In fact, given the prices their products come at, mass customization might not be the first thing coming to mind.

The company in question is named Bamford Watch Department and sells custom watches. Nothing that special you say? Well, maybe not. Except these are more or less fully customizable Rolex (and other exclusive brand's) watches.

Bamford offers a nicely designed configurator that allows you to adjust about every visual detail on the dial of a number of exclusive watches. Minute and seconds hand, hour- and second markers, indices, logo, custom text, chronograph rings etc - whatever you have on the dial, you can customize it. They also offer a large number of pre-designed models for your chosing.

Now, given the fact that you will spend a nice amount of money on these, you might be worried about what happens to the warranty of your watch, given that it has to be opened and modified. Bamford promisses a solution here as well, though: While original warranty will be void, you get a full two year coverage from the vendor itself.

What remains to be said? Well, this is a fairly nice offer, especially if you are a watch-fan and want something that not everybody has. And, of course, have a five digit number of pounds to spend on it. While not all of us can do that, those who can should visit their website and see if there is something to their liking.

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 23): Caseable: Protect Your Device Your Way

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Individual cases for your favorite electronic device

There is no shortage of cases and bags for all sorts of electronic mobile devices. Electronics stores offer a vide variety of both colorful or elegant protection for your cellphone, tablet or laptop, but in case the given designs are just not individual enough, German vendor caseable might come to your rescue just in time.

On their website you can order cases and bags for a vide collection of different phones, ipads, kindles, laptops and more. These can be turned into the unique of your dreams by chosing colors, adding graphics and/or text. The configurator appears to be user friendly yet powerful enough to ensure that, after you have ordered and received your device's new best friend, you will most likely never confuse it with that of the person on the seat next to you.

 
Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 22): Allmytea: Custom Tea for Individual Relaxiation

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: What mymuesli is to cereals, this is to tea

Sometimes, relaxing just works best with a cup of hot quality tea. Unfortunately, mixtures avalible in local supermarkets may not always be just exactly what one is looking for in terms of taste or effect. For all these cases (or just the experimenters amongst you) German online shop Allmytea might be worth a visit.

Utilizing an efficiently designed configurator the website guides you through the process of picking a base sort of tea and enriching it by adding all kinds of herbs. The end product will be sent to you in a package with an individual name (chosen by yourself) printed upon it. If you are into good tea this could be a nice replacement for or addition to your local grocery store. 

 

 
Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 21): Choiceshirts: Individual Upper Bodies

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Known concept, nice execution

Customized T-Shirts are nothing new to the mass customization enthusiast, indeed, there are more than 100 online vendors in this category. But at the same time, tshirst are one of the most well-known individualized products and certainly one of those that will always have their fans and buyers. Customized shirts are usually affordable and useful in a variety of situations.

One competitior on this crowded market is Choice Shirts. Their slogan "wear what you think" is pretty much program for them as they give you the tools to create a shirt with more or less any motive you could want to wear.

A simple yet solid configurator lets you chose from either a large variety of cliparts, a custom text or your own uploaded image - or a combination thereof. Whatever print you choose will be applied on the shirt you selct from different models of shirts and shipped to your doorstep. Alternatively, if your creativity does not serve you just today, the company also has a huge variety of pre-configured shirts for many different themes.

 
Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 20): Photobox: Gifts and Decorations From Your Images

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Make something special from all these holiday photos

The holidays are over and many of you will have put your new digital camera or 20-megapixle-smartphone to good use by documenting all the joy and pleasure of the christmas and new years celebrations.

Images are conserved memories and hence best shared with those who shared the documented moments, too. And while just uploading your pictures to facebook would probably do, why not take it one step further and surprise your friends and loved ones with some personalized books, cards, decorations and other kinds of gifts, individualized with the best photos from your celebrations (or last holiday).

German company photobox offers a wide range of individualizable products, from classical photo books, cups, puzzles and stickers to cellphone and tablet covers, calendars, magnets, the unavoidable mousepad and a lot of others. This is one of the most crowded and largest categories in BtoC mass customization on the web in general.

Their website and configurator appears pretty modern and seems to work fine so if you are looking for something to thank your holiday party host for a wonderful evening, this might be for you.

 
Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

The MC Graveyard: Ideas that did not make it: Kidlandia strikes colors

Last week we gave a short insight into the work of personalized kid`s goods producer Kidlandia.

Unfortunately, it has just been announced on their website that October 22nd, 2012, has been the last day to order any of their products.

Sad truth appears to be that Kidlandia - like about 20% of startup companies that we analyzed as part of our MC500 study - could not establish itself well enough on the market to become a long-term success story.

This is perfect prove that a well-built configurator and a nice business idea alone are no guarantee for a successful mass customization venture. More factors play into it and, as we detailed in the MC500 study, solid knowledge about both these factors and their proper combination is key to make the difference between a good idea and a good business.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 19): Beaniebees: Custom Shirts, Sweatters, Ties, Bags...

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Nice Idea, Slightly Limited Solution Space

Personalized fashion is a great way to express yourself. It's also very well suited to add a touch of "I really though about it" to any gift you give. And especially for children it's a good opportunity to break out of the usual spiderman-look.

Amongst others, German online-customizer Beaniebee has exactly that approach covered for you. Offering fairly easy personalization of everything from t-shirts for kids and adults, ties, sweathsirts, bags, even teddy bears.

Their easy to use configurator lets you place both custom text and images on your product of choice, however - and this is where I find the process to be lacking - the amount of images that they offer is relatively limited. There are some theme groups like animals, seasons and so on but each one has a fairly small number of actual images, and the ones availible are often not too creative.

Of course, you can upload your own photo to place on your child's new t-shirt. But from a technical point of view, their configuration space could have contained a little more diversity.

 
Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 18): Kidlandia: Mass Customization Conquering Your Kid's Room

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Great Individualized Gifts for the Young Ones

It's the time of the year again: With christmas fastly approaching (hey, just 2 1/2 months left!) the usual question arises once again: What do I bring my little nephew/niece/grandchildren as a gift when I go visit them? Tough question if you are an adult and hence a bit out of the loop on what the kids do and dont like these days.

Kidlandia might have something in (online-)store for you if you refuse to buy the standard plastic hero or DVD: Nicely individualized stuff that will certainly stick out.

From mugs to puzzles, mousepads, posters and growth charts to even some comics featuring the famous Marvel heros: There is something in it for about every age and interest. I especially like the idea of their blanket configurator (which is also, technically, well done): After deciding for one of several pre-designed adventure-map themed blankets you are given the tools and freedom to customize it by adding, removing, repositioning, renaming (...) various (sea-)monsters and other typical elements from that adventure book your boy loves to read under his blanket.

Certainly an example of a nicely done configurator.

UPDATE: Kidlandia has just announced that today, October 22nd, 2012, is the last day to order any of their products. Sad truth appears to be that Kidlandia - like about 20% of startup companies that we analyzed as part of our study - could not establish itself well enough on the market to become a long-term success story.

This is perfect prove that a well-built configurator and a nice business idea alone are no guarantee for a successful mass customization venture. More factors play into it and, as we detailed in the MC500 study, solid knowledge about both these factors and their proper combination is key to make the difference between a good idea and a good business.

 
Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 17): My Jelly Belly: A Personal Candy Mix

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Jelly Bellys mixed to suit your needs - sort of

Here is another mass customization venture targeting the younger ones amongst us. Candy producer Jelly Belly Candy Company does not only offer their little sweets in stores anymore but also provides owners of a sweet tooth with an online configurator to get a mix of their favorite Bellys in a personalized gift box. (Mars' M&Ms had the same idea many years ago, but now even allow people to customize the candy itself).

While the box can be designed using a number of templates and individualized by addition of personal images and text, it is unfortunate that the company does only offer three choices of candy-mix: Customers have to choose between a 20-flavor-mix or an entire package filled with  either one or two of their favorite flavors. I could see people wanting to mix more than two sorts of candy to get their ideal taste, while not really needing as many as 20.

For me, this is another example of a large brand going into mass customization with a rather simple conceptthat will not provide much harm or complexity, but also will not really capture the full potential of customization.  Still, our expert evaluators in the MC500 study liked the site: easy, little complexity, anda fund product full of childhood memories.

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 16): Yourcover: Personalized Fake Magazine Covers

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Get as close to being a star as money will buy you

About every little girl (and quite some little boys) dream about one day being on the cover of a major magazine, be it as the new Hollywood star or rock legend. Unfortunately for most of them it will remain a dream as there can only be so many superstars.

For those who still would like to have a magazine cover in a frame on their wall, featuring their very own face next to some impressive headlines, yourcover has you, yes, covered.

By means of a simple configuration process you can pick one of many professionally looking templates, grouped by occasions, and then customize it to your needs in terms of personal images and text. At the end of the process you can decide to either download the cover or have it printed and shipped to you.

While this may not be a life saving mission critical service to offer, I think it's a fun idea and a good example of how personalized media could look in the future. Even if you might not be on the cover of every issue.

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 15): Personello: Custom Printed Picture Gifts

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: A picture says more than a thousand words...

That old saying is actually quite true and despite smartphones and internet, many people still have the framed image of their beloved ones on their desk, or the children's picture in their wallet.

If you tend to find that boring, or if you are looking for a nice present to give to someone you care about, Personello might have you covered. Their portfolio consists of a large variety of products, from mugs over chocolate wrap and snow globes to note paper and even beer bottles. All of these can be customized by printing an uploaded picture of your chosing onto them.

The application of this is certainly not limited to family gifts: Imagine celebrating your next big match victory at the soccer club with beer bottles featuring a shot of the deciding goal!

They do also offer your image etched into glas plates, replacing the good old framed window with something a bit more modern. And if you tend to have long working hours like myself, maybe the illuminated pedestal is something worth looking into for you.

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 14): CurlyQ Cuties: Personalized Plush Toys

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Custom monsters, fairy-teeth, splatopuses, moggins - you name it, they have it

Stuffed plush toys are a good application for mass customization. They are meant to be our children's best friends and hence should not just come off the rack. Companies like Build-a-Bear have pioneered this field and now you can order fluffy friends that go beyond bears in shape and form.

CurlyQ Cuties, despite their slightly user-unfriendly company name (try telling somebody about their url...), is sporting a nice portfolio of plush toys you do not see every day. Custom monsters of all kinds, fairy-teeth for those unlucky enough to be at the age of losing their (first) teeth or what they call splatopus: Their product line is certainly a bit special, yet the little creatures look (mostly) friendly and are probably quite lovable for the younger ones. 

Their configurator (and their entire website, actually) could use a bit of an overhaul since it looks a bit 90-ish but the technology itself is solid, simple and apparently just works. But see for yourself...

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 13): Alphabetplates.com: Individual and fun from breakfast to dinner

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: The right plates to complement your customized food

I have been posting about customized food in the past. From mymuesli to chocri, personalized food is one of the large trends in mass customization. However, if you chose to individualize what you eat, you should be as picky about what you eat it from.

Alphabetplates offers exactly that, at least for the younger (or young at heart!) amongst us. Utilizing their simple yet efficient configurator your can personalize a number of really nice plates, placemats, lunchboxes and waterbottles. Depending on the chosen base model you can add your (child's) name, an individually configurable face (you should try that one out!) and more details. Conclusion: a nice product line to spark the interest of the next generation of customization researchers.

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 12): Myprivatecode.com: The Glas Ceiling of Individualization

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Art as personal as your DNA

I have been presenting a good number of different MC companies from our study by now. The products each of them offers are all individualized, some to a higher, some to a lesser degree. Today's company however offers a good that could be described as the maximum in individualization: Art and jewelry, produced not so much by your personal choice but your uniue genetic fingerprint, your DNA.

Myprivatecode offers a simple process to get you your piece of unique art/jewelry: Upon selecting the basic product you want to be individualized with your DNA imprint ( just like in a traditional configurator) you receive a simple to use kit which enables you to take a sample of your DNA. That is a quick, painless and harmless process.b After sending the sample back to the company they extract your DNA and refine your chosen product with different forms of displaying your individual code of life.

Even though one should never say never, I wonder how much more personal a product/gift could become.

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 11): Fewsome: Affordable Custom Watches

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Watching Time Go By In Style

A watch can be a fairly important piece of jewlery, especially for a man who, in opposite to his female counterpart, can often not wear too many other decorative objects. An individual watch is hence a really nice addition to your individual style and sets your wrist appart from the standard (and is a great converstation starter at a party). This little bit of individualism can easily cost you upwards of a four-digit number of USD or Euro and is usually reserved for a select few.

However, if you do not mind your watch to lack the logo of a high-class premium brand, fewsome might be worth a look for you. On their website, a nice and even animated configurator lets you build your custom wristwatch by picking all the important parts like movement, case, ring, dials, hands and so on. Choice is plentiful and lets you pick both different designs and colors. The result is a pretty unique watch that you can even have engraved on its back cover.

Time will tell how this business model will evolve and it will certainly be interesting to watch it unfold. But as custom papers have been the subject of one of our first good papers on the subject (the 2004 JPIM paper), I truly believe so :-)

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 10): Mysn.de: Custom Notebooks, Made in Germany

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Another Very Personal Computer

Recently I posted about PC costomizer Dell as part of our MC500 Study. Today we are taking a look at one of Dell's competitors in the segment of individualized computers, Mysn.de/Schenker Notebooks.

While I sometimes argue in my classes that customization is not longer a value proposition in the computer market, these comapnies show that the classic application of mass customization still has its market.

Like Dell, Mysn.de are offering variety of base laptops which you can then customize to your exact media-/ business-/ gaming-/ etc- needs. While their configurator is not exactly a graphical firework, it gets the job done well and lets your virtually assmeble the machine of your dreams (or your budget). I believe that exactly for these hardcore applications customization still has functional value.

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 9): PHD Mountain Software: Custom Sleeping Bags for the Outdoor Adventurer

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Custom Sleeping Bags Deluxe

Do you like to spend your time outdoors? Go hiking in the mountains, explore nature by boat or even climb on icy glaciers? In any case, if you are doing any kind of adventurous activity that involves sleeping under the stars (maybe with a thin tent between you and the actual stars) then you will probably need a sleeping bag.

Especially in snowy regions of the world your life (or good sleep, at least) might depend on having a sleeping bag that fits your exact needs. And while some manufacturers already offer some customization options, PHD Mountain Software takes things a step further by letting you configure about every aspect of the bag that I can imagine. So if I just sparked your interest in a holiday trip to the top of the Mont Blanc, maybe PHD has the right equipment for you.

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 8): Mymat: Customized Doormats for a Successful First Impression

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Style the Ground You are Walking on!

Here in Germany, sunny days are sparse. They only occure on workdays and the sun usually hides behind thick rainy clouds the moment you leave the office. To keep your home free of dirt, doormats are the tool of choice. However, as the saying goes, "there is no second chance for the first impresson". With this in mind - and especially if you get a lot of people to visit you frequently - you might want to fine-tune the first impression of your home by designing your very own custom doormat.

German MC-Company Mymat.de has you covered in this regard, with a wide variety of either pre-designed or personalized mats. Their simple yet efficient configurator lets you pick from a number of templated which you can then customize with your desired size, color, symbols and text and have it shipped to your doorstep - right where it belongs. So if you are considering moving to Germany or do have bad weather of your own, check out their website at www.mymat.de.

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Mass Customization Explained - The Full Series from Innovationmanagement.se

I have been tweeting about it during the past weeks as more episodes have become availible:

Together with my colleagues Fabrizio Salvador and Dominik Walcher, we have been given the opportunity to provide an extended overview on eight parts of various aspects of mass customization on the well-known innovation blog Innovationmanagement.se .Finally, the last episode has been published.

The series consists of 8 parts, starting here.

In the series, we tried to shed some light onto:

• Part 1: Introduction: Competing in the Age of Mass Customization
• Part 2: The Market for Mass Customization Today
• Part 3: Solution Space Development: Understanding where Customers are Different
• Part 4: Robust Process Design: Fulfilling Individual Customer Needs without Compromising Performance
• Part 5: Choice Navigation: Turning Burden of Choice into an Experience
• Part 6: Choice Navigation in Reality: A closer look into the Customization500
• Part 7: Overcoming the Challenges of Implementing Mass Customization
• Part 8: A Balanced View: Conclusions and Key Learnings

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 7): Proper Cloth: Custom Dress Shirts the Easy (and Affordable) Way

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Also, just in case you somehow missed it, the MC2012, largest MC/OI conference in German language, will be heading off soon (28th/29th of june). So if you are going to be in the area, understand German and want to meet some really interesting MC/OI enthusiasts, the conference website has all the information you need. Would be glad to see you there in person!

Today: Dress Yourself with the Latest Fashion, Decide What is "in Fashion" Yourself

As I said in my last MC500 Post about Mission Bicycle, summer - if that's what you want to call it - has finally arrived in Germany. While (unfortunately) this does not mean that work would magically finish itself, at least one gets a chance to spend the evening outdoors (sometimes), may it be sitting on the terrace of a nice restaurant or taking a walk in the park.

Whether it will be the office or the park for you, what always comes in handy is a well-tailored, perfectly fitting dress shirt. While each of you will have a different idea of what "perfectly fitting" means, one place might have you covered for all your individual shirt needs.

Proper Cloth, founded in Delaware in 2008, offers a pretty complete customization experience when it comes to dress shirts, a fashion article which, as many of you will agree, tends to just not fit perfectly at some point or another. Proper Cloth's promiss is exactly that, a perfectly fitting shirt, tailored to your needs, based on a really well-made configurator which even shines where others lack by offering assistance in finding out your individual measures in various ways. Oh and, if configurators should not be your thing (unlikely as that is, seeing how you are visiting this website), they offer a variety of preconfigured shirt as well.

So whether you need a new shirt to wear with your favorite suit or a stylish untucked one for leasure, a visit at propercloth.com might be worth it for you.

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 6): Mission Bicycle: Conquer the Streets Your Way

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Individual Bicycles by Mission Bicycle

Summer has finally arrived in Germany (somewhat) and as every year this means people are enthusiastic to spend some recreational time outdoors.

Riding a bicycle is fairly popular here as in a lot of other countries (in the Netherlands, roughly one third of all trips are made by bike... biking in the Netherlands even has its own wikipedia entry...) and so many two-wheeled vehicles in different states of maintenance are being dusted off these days.

However, as with all means of transportation, every now and then it's time to replace your trusted-yet-old bike with something more modern (and fancy).

If this year's summer happens to be the beginning of your old bike's retirement, Mission Bicycle might be worth looking into for you. The California based company offers a simple-yet-convenient configurator which allows you to design the bike of your dreams from a large variety of availible parts. From the very basic frame to different handles, chains and even locks, most parts can be individualized in model and color. You can pick up your bike in their physical store in San Francisco, CA, or simply have it shipped to your doorstep in a multitude of countrys around the world. Including the Netherlands.

 

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 5): PersonalNovel: Your Book, Your Story

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Personalized Books by PersonalNovel

Technology is something great. But at times, after a long day's challenging work, tied to computers, emails, cell phones etc. you might want to disconnect for a while. Sit back in your favorite chair and relax with a good book of your choosing. Not just any book, though. Your book. Your very own personal novel (or thriller, children's book....) in which you are the main character, a book personalized to read like it has been written just for you.

 PersonalNovel has been a pioneering company to turn this dream into physical reality, coming to you in the form of a nicely printed book, customized through an online editor to match the main character to your persona - or anybody else you would like to read about.

I am especially impressd by PersonalNovels dedication to get also small details correct, and their innovative business model turning a simple product into a new value preposition.

 

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 4): Dell - the original mass customizer

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Computer mass customization pioneer Dell

"The computer is personal again". Right, this marketing slogan was not Dell's but rather part of HP's great campaign in 2006. Yet, it would also have been very fitting for the former, one of the pioneers in online PC mass customization. I vividly remember times when the dell concept to offer computers, individually assembled to the customer's choices and needs, all through a (mostly) convenient online backend and delivered within a few days (plus good aftersales service) was mind-boggling innovative. The PC did longer have to be one that vendors pre-assembled en mass, one that was ok in general but always had one or two components that did just not work for you. Now it could be your PC, a truly Personal Computer.

Over 25 years after Dell's debut on the technology market, we took a look on how their mass customization concept has evolved over time and where it stands today, compared to a number of competititors incomparable to those of decades ago. More about Dell's history at their homepage.

 

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 3): Selve - women's best friend

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Women's best friend, custom shoe supplier SELVE.

Feet are by far not as standardized as the shoe industry would like them to be. Neither is the individual customer's taste in shape, color and details. Until a decade ago the only way to obtain shoes that do both fit perfectly and look exactly as one wants them to, was to take a rather pricy trip to the cobbler. Selve went new ways with their offer to tailor shoes, custom built to the client's demands in individual size and look, shipped to your doorstep after a convenient visit at www.selve.net. (even if most customers prefer to visit their store in Munich or London for a personal consultation and foot scan).

More info: Selve's chairwoman Claudia Kieserling will be telling more about the selve-concept at this year's edition of the GERMAN Mass Customization Meeting, the MC2012, helt on the 29th of june in Salzburg, Austria.

 

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data.

New Blog Series: Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 2): Converse.com

In our series of postings introducing companies that performend very well in our Customization 500 study, we are introducing the next mass customizer. Remember:  The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly!

 

Today: Street Style Classic Converse.com

 

Founded in Massachusetts in 1908 and today a subsidiary of global producer of sport goods Nike, Converse allows consumers to create footwear with an absolutely distinctive style. Originally designed as basketball shoes (and still to day worn by some NBA superstars in their games), the converse sneaker was one of the early products in this category that can be customized by every consumer. 

 

Note: Please see this post for detailed information on how to interpret the above data. 

New Blog Series: Featured Companies from the MC500 (Part 1): Mymuesli.com

The Customization 500 is the world's most comprehensive benchmark study of online configuration and mass customization offerings. In a new series of weekly postings, we will introduce some of companies that our expert evaluators pointed out as best in class. The order of these feature postings is more or less randomly! We will try to introduce different industries among the following weeks.

 

Today: Custom Food Specialist my muesli.com

 

Today's featured company is mass customization pioneer mymuesli.com. Established in 2007, the German company offers it's customers to create their very own mix of cereals from 80+ ingredients. There is likely a fitting mixture for everybody in the about 566 quadrillion possible combinations. After a strong growth just from the beginning, company has been developing very well in the last years. Recently, they installed the world's largest automatic muesli mixing machine.

 

Note: How are these figures to be interpreted?

We used more than 40 parameters to evaluate the state and design features of each toolkit in our study:

This objective data was then matched with the performance outcome of the toolkit, i.e. the perception of our trained experts of the configurator.

For this evaluation, we used five criteria to measure the performance of a configuration toolkit in our sample:

• Visual Realism was measured by means of one question “How realistic do you assess the visualization of the configuration process?”
• To measure usability, the evaluators were asked to rate: "The configurator is (1) intuitively usable, (2) user-friendly as well as (3) clearly and (4) logically structured".
• The creativity factor consisted of two items: "(1) The website gave me a lot of freedom", and "(2) I could give my creativity free rein while designing the product".
• To determine enjoyment, the experts had to rate: "The configuration was (1) fun, (2) delight, (3) pleasure, (4) entertaining and (5) interesting".
• To assess uniqueness following statements had to be evaluated: "My created product (1) is unique, (2) is different, (3) helps me to differentiate; and (4) no one else has such a product."

Interested in more? Here is more information about the Customization 500 (and the option to order the full study now so that you do not have to wait for 41.6 years to read all profiles).