Historically, product configuration software applications - whether standalone or part of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system - have helped manufacturers of complex product lines to better manage their front-end sales and order processes. Used primarily by make-to-order (MTO) and engineer-to-order (ETO) producers, product configuration software delivered value within its own limited sphere, and was rarely perceived as a significant corporate asset or competitive advantage.

That perception is rapidly changing. The shift is being fueled by competitive pressures, the ubiquity of the Internet and advances in configuration software technology. Manufacturers across every industry - and service companies, as well - are seeking new and innovative ways to compress lead times and speed up order-to-cash cycles and achieve greater efficiencies, higher profit margins and superior levels of customer service. In today's economic climate, it's becoming more and more apparent that the market winners on their competitive turf are not necessarily the suppliers of the "latest and greatest" products, but rather those organizations with the best track record for delivering products to customers, when, where and how they want them.