"Golf-club maker Ping leads the way in build-to-order production. Can other manufacturers capitalize on the process?"

"In the absence of actual primacy of product problems ("what's different about you and what have you done for me lately?") convenience is the newest of the brand differentiators."

"Engineers and technical buyers assume supplier Web sites will offer comprehensive, up-to-date content, but a new study from GlobalSpec, Inc., suggests these key purchase influencers aren't fully satisfied enough suppliers are taking steps to provide it."

"Vans has conquered mass customization, with a supply chain that links from China all the way to its customers' doorsteps."

"A study by Forrester Research recently found that customers who shop three different ways -- in stores, on Web sites and with catalogs -- spend about four times more than customers who shop only through one of those channels."

"The use of a Configurator enabled our test site to achieve an 11.74% conversion rate through its primary order path."

"A PCM that uses a centralized repository to fuel all enterprise initiatives not only eliminates all data duplication -- and the associated challenges of synchronizing many copies of the same data -- it also maximizes ROI by improving processes and reducing costs across the board."

"If you're a manufacturer and want to reach through to the end buyers, past the dealer, past the other influencers, then send an information rich message to target end buyers that cuts through the, uh, well, stuff."

'Although the manufacturing sector shrank in April, use of and commitment to e-business for online purchasing is up; this analyst sees targeted opportunities."

"Nearly twice as many large-volume purchasers reported that the Net is critical in their overall purchasing plans -- from 11.3 percent in Q4 2002 to 20.5 percent in Q1 2003."

"A new report from research aggregator eMarketer indicates that e-commerce adoption and business-to-business (B2B) marketplace activity are growing steadily."

"About two-thirds of online stores have ineffective search engines, leaving customers frustrated and apt to do business with a competitor, according to a new study."

"E-business has survived its first recession, according to a new report from the National Institute of Manufacturing (NAM) and Ernst & Young."

"Flipping through an electronic brochure might be good, but typing in specs for a nonstock item and seeing a 3D model and part number for it would be better."

"SMC almost sets itself up for complexity with its motto: 'If we don't have it, we'll make it.' ...SMC turned to SolidWorks for its 3D CAD engine and to TechniCon for a configurable front end."

"As custom online ordering moves into the mainstream, Web merchants learn to fine-tune their trade."

"Byte by byte, e-business is gaining ground in the manufacturing sector, an industry that has been notably sluggish to pick up and run with the information technology ball."

"A new study conducted by Benchmark Research (on behalf of e-commerce software vendor Commerce One) ties elements of business success directly to e-procurement sophistication."

"Forget the 80/20 rule, and stop wasting money. You need to get the rest of your trading partners online to reap a real return from e-commerce."

"In this age of PLM (product lifecycle management), design engineers are increasingly asked to share their CAD models... But stepping back from the marketing rhetoric, who's actually using your CAD data?"

"A close look at the manufacturing sector reveals that today's No. 1 driver of e-business development isn't on production, but on the relationship with the customer -- in service and particularly sales."