\n\n\n\n
\ud83c\udf0d<\/strong> Why configuring matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTech-Clarity\u2019s research shows two clear truths. Customers find configured products highly compelling, and manufacturers face major challenges delivering them. In fact, 94% of manufacturers surveyed expect customization to grow in the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Change](\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/09\/1756834742792-1024x521.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhy? Because customer expectations continue to rise. From industrial machinery to HVAC systems, buyers want products tailored to their exact needs. Companies that deliver stand out from competitors and often command higher prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"To-order](\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/09\/1756834616959.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAs Smith explains, sometimes it\u2019s not optional: \u201cBy choosing to be in certain industries, you chose make-to-order. Customization is the nature of the business.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\u26a1<\/strong> The competitive advantage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nConfigured products don\u2019t just win customers \u2014 they win markets. One example from the research: a commercial air handler company that offered customization at the same price and lead time as standard products. The result? They became the global market leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For commoditized industries, offering customized products alongside standard ones can mean becoming the supplier of choice. The ability to say \u201cyes\u201d to unique customer needs often translates into larger deals, repeat business, and higher revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udca1<\/strong> Why digitalization is key<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTraditional methods \u2014 spreadsheets, manual rules, siloed tools \u2014 are no match for today\u2019s complexity. Errors, delays, and rework drain profitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where digitalization and PLM make the difference. Siemens Teamcenter, part of Siemens Xcelerator \u2014 the open digital business platform \u2014 provides the data backbone for CTO. With Teamcenter, manufacturers can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Centralize configuration rules and product data<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ensure accuracy across engineering, sales and manufacturing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Automate routine tasks to cut engineering effort<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reduce time-to-market by streamlining processes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
As Smith notes, automation enables engineers to embed their expertise into configurators. That frees them to focus on innovation while ensuring every order is accurate and efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udcf1<\/strong> Shifting closer to the customer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOne major trend highlighted in the Tech-Clarity survey is \u201cshifting left\u201d \u2014 moving configuration closer to the customer. Top-performing companies are 74% more likely to do this than their peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Shifting](\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/09\/1756834871268-1024x628.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nInstead of relying solely on engineers, leading manufacturers are enabling salespeople, distributors, and even customers themselves to configure products directly. Mobile support and self-service portals make it easier to buy, and as Smith points out: \u201cCustomers are going to buy from whoever they can buy from the easiest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This isn\u2019t just a convenience \u2014 it\u2019s a sales strategy. Companies that make it simple to order win more deals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\ud83e\udd16<\/strong> The role of AI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLooking ahead, artificial intelligence promises to make configuration even smarter. Early applications include analyzing specifications, highlighting requirements, and interpreting existing configuration rules for easier reuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smith is pragmatic: AI will not replace configuration engines, but it can accelerate the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell-formed configurators give you the right answer 100% of the time,\u201d<\/strong> he says. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAI can help feed those configurators more efficiently, reducing manual effort and mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/strong> Expert advice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAs Tech-Clarity president and interviewer Jim Brown<\/a> emphasized, manufacturers face both strategic and operational challenges in CTO. When asked what guidance he would offer, Rick Smith, director of engineer-to-order solutions at Siemens Digital Industries Software, gave three clear recommendations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udcca Understand your market. Don\u2019t just solve today\u2019s problems \u2014 plan for long-term competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc65 Choose experts wisely. Work with people who truly understand configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udda5\ufe0f Invest in a platform. Configuration touches every part of the business. A proven, integrated platform is critical for scalability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udcd6<\/strong> Learn more<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nConfiguring products to order is not just an engineering task \u2014 it\u2019s a business strategy that drives growth, differentiation, and profitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49 Read the full Tech-Clarity interview on LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nStart your journey to smarter, faster, and more profitable product configuration with Siemens Teamcenter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nStart fast and grow with Teamcenter X<\/a> | Make smarter decisions with AI-powered PLM<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy? Because customer expectations continue to rise. From industrial machinery to HVAC systems, buyers want products tailored to their exact needs. Companies that deliver stand out from competitors and often command higher prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAs Smith explains, sometimes it\u2019s not optional: \u201cBy choosing to be in certain industries, you chose make-to-order. Customization is the nature of the business.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Configured products don\u2019t just win customers \u2014 they win markets. One example from the research: a commercial air handler company that offered customization at the same price and lead time as standard products. The result? They became the global market leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For commoditized industries, offering customized products alongside standard ones can mean becoming the supplier of choice. The ability to say \u201cyes\u201d to unique customer needs often translates into larger deals, repeat business, and higher revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Traditional methods \u2014 spreadsheets, manual rules, siloed tools \u2014 are no match for today\u2019s complexity. Errors, delays, and rework drain profitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where digitalization and PLM make the difference. Siemens Teamcenter, part of Siemens Xcelerator \u2014 the open digital business platform \u2014 provides the data backbone for CTO. With Teamcenter, manufacturers can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Smith notes, automation enables engineers to embed their expertise into configurators. That frees them to focus on innovation while ensuring every order is accurate and efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One major trend highlighted in the Tech-Clarity survey is \u201cshifting left\u201d \u2014 moving configuration closer to the customer. Top-performing companies are 74% more likely to do this than their peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of relying solely on engineers, leading manufacturers are enabling salespeople, distributors, and even customers themselves to configure products directly. Mobile support and self-service portals make it easier to buy, and as Smith points out: \u201cCustomers are going to buy from whoever they can buy from the easiest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This isn\u2019t just a convenience \u2014 it\u2019s a sales strategy. Companies that make it simple to order win more deals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking ahead, artificial intelligence promises to make configuration even smarter. Early applications include analyzing specifications, highlighting requirements, and interpreting existing configuration rules for easier reuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smith is pragmatic: AI will not replace configuration engines, but it can accelerate the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell-formed configurators give you the right answer 100% of the time,\u201d<\/strong> he says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n AI can help feed those configurators more efficiently, reducing manual effort and mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Tech-Clarity president and interviewer Jim Brown<\/a> emphasized, manufacturers face both strategic and operational challenges in CTO. When asked what guidance he would offer, Rick Smith, director of engineer-to-order solutions at Siemens Digital Industries Software, gave three clear recommendations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcca Understand your market. Don\u2019t just solve today\u2019s problems \u2014 plan for long-term competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc65 Choose experts wisely. Work with people who truly understand configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udda5\ufe0f Invest in a platform. Configuration touches every part of the business. A proven, integrated platform is critical for scalability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Configuring products to order is not just an engineering task \u2014 it\u2019s a business strategy that drives growth, differentiation, and profitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc49 Read the full Tech-Clarity interview on LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Start your journey to smarter, faster, and more profitable product configuration with Siemens Teamcenter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start fast and grow with Teamcenter X<\/a> | Make smarter decisions with AI-powered PLM<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\u26a1<\/strong> The competitive advantage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udca1<\/strong> Why digitalization is key<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udcf1<\/strong> Shifting closer to the customer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83e\udd16<\/strong> The role of AI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/strong> Expert advice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udcd6<\/strong> Learn more<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\n