// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Engineer to Order
Engineer to Order (ETO) is a manufacturing strategy where products are designed and built entirely from scratch based on unique customer specifications. This approach is common for highly customized or complex products.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Engineer to Order (ETO) is a manufacturing and supply chain strategy characterized by designing, engineering, and producing highly customized products based on unique customer specifications, typically involving significant R&D and project management for complex, low-volume items.
BACKGROUND
Industrial and production engineering (IPE) is an interdisciplinary engineering discipline that includes manufacturing technology, engineering sciences, management science, and optimization of complex processes, systems, or organizations. It is concerned with the understanding and application of engineering procedures in manufacturing processes and production methods. Industrial engineering dates back all the way to the industrial revolution, initiated in 1700s by Sir Adam Smith, Henry Ford, Eli Whitney, Frank Gilbreth and Lilian Gilbreth, Henry Gantt, F.W. Taylor, etc. After the 1970s, industrial and production engineering developed worldwide and started to widely use automation and robotics. Industrial and production engineering includes three areas: Mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, and management science.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Custom Engineering
- Bespoke Manufacturing
- Project-based Manufacturing
USAGE NOTE
ETO is prevalent in industries like aerospace, heavy machinery, and specialized equipment manufacturing.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Engineer to Order.
SAP provides comprehensive ERP solutions, including modules for discrete manufacturing, project systems, and product lifecycle management that are critical for managing complex Engineer-to-Order processes.
Oracle offers a suite of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions that support the intricate requirements of Engineer-to-Order manufacturers, from design to delivery.
Infor develops industry-specific cloud software, including ERP solutions tailored for discrete manufacturing, project-based manufacturing, and high-complexity environments typical of Engineer-to-Order operations.
Epicor provides ERP software explicitly designed for manufacturers, offering robust capabilities for managing custom orders, complex configurations, and project-based workflows inherent in Engineer-to-Order scenarios.
IFS specializes in enterprise software for companies that manage projects, assets, and service, with strong support for Engineer-to-Order and make-to-order processes across various industries.
Dassault Systèmes provides leading product lifecycle management (PLM) software, including CAD (CATIA, SOLIDWORKS) and simulation tools, essential for the design, engineering, and manufacturing of Engineer-to-Order products.
PTC offers PLM (Windchill) and CAD (Creo) solutions that enable Engineer-to-Order manufacturers to manage product data, automate design processes, and facilitate collaboration across the product development lifecycle.
Siemens offers a comprehensive portfolio of PLM (Teamcenter), CAD (NX), and manufacturing operations management (MOM) software that supports the end-to-end digital twin and workflow required for Engineer-to-Order production.
Configit specializes in advanced Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) software that handles extreme product complexity and is crucial for sales and engineering efficiency in Engineer-to-Order environments.
Tacton provides CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) and design automation solutions that empower Engineer-to-Order manufacturers to streamline complex sales processes and generate accurate designs and quotes rapidly.