HOPE System Guide During the Day l1/22/94 Page 49

Custom Specification

Another part of "The Key to Success" in satisfying customer requirements through special ordering is to determine exactly what the customer wants, (limited by available features and options) and then to complete the order using the manufacturer's terms. This assures that the customer will actually get what he or she wants and minimizes mistakes, since there is no translation of features or component numbers.

To this end, the ordering and specification process for major suppliers is often captured in a "choose from list available" form. If a specification process file is available, custom ordering will offer an "Any Options choice on the screen. Choosing Y will bring you into the specific screen which applies to this vendor or product type. If the choice is not offered, there is no such file. In this case, describe choices or other qualifying or explanatory information as fully as possible in the free form entry section. For example, the following free form information might be added for custom skis.

Length should be at least 160 cm. If 160 cm. is not available use the size closest. Bottoms to be P-Tex or equivalent. Please sharpen edges and box for international shipment.

or, for a chair::

The cushions on this chair must be full and well stuffed, as the buyer weighs over 240 pounds.

For those product types with selection screens, each custom specification process will be somewhat different, although the formats are consistent. The name of the vendor or product category is shown at top. If no choices are offered for a given field, try typing in a selection. Either a list will be offered, or the typed selection will be accepted. On completion of all the fields, the list of options will be returned to print on the order.

As an example, a customs specification for a microcomputer is shown on page 51.