Instant Manufacturing and Small Business

Wired has an article called Manufacture and Sell Anything - In Minutes that discusses on-demand manufacturing.  The article covers Ponoko, Zazzle and other companies that manufacture products based on user designs.  Key quote on the process:

"Designers upload their blueprints to Ponoko's servers; when a customer places an order, Ponoko's laser cutters automatically trim wood and plastic to create the product on the spot."

The article goes on to say "Thousands are launching instant businesses" and that custom t-shirt companies like CafePress are becoming platforms that small businesses use for production.

This article is one of the first I've seen that picks up on the impact instant manufacturing and new manufacturing technologies are starting to have on small business.  These new technologies are allowing small and personal (one person) manufacturing companies to create and market unique or highly customized products efficiently.  These new capabilities are creating a wide range of new opportunities for small businesses. 

We cover this topic and its impact on small business in detail in section 2 our most recent forecast report.  Frank Pillar's Mass Customization and Open Innovation News blog is also an excellent source of information on this area. 

Comments

[tim stephens]

interesting post. ToolPax takes this one step further and does the design for the buyer on line in real time - the buyer just answers questions and the design is done for them ... if you check out the link to the narrated three minute demo, you will see what i am talking about ... www.toolpax.com/speed.htm

[steve]

Tim:

I like the video and your site. Who is your primary target market??

Steve

[Outsource Compendium Review]

You're exactly right that small business owners are now able to get anything and everything done at a fraction of the time and cost it would take them to do it on their own. By using sites like Elance, rent-a-coder, and toolpax (mentioned above), the entrepreneur can now focus on their vision and strategy and leave the "grunt" work to thos who already know how to do it and are good at it. More tips and tricks on outsourcing and making sure you get what you pay for are available at my link above.

[tim stephens]

thanks Steve - our technology works for anything that is build to order. that said, we are starting with the custom tooling / metal stamping industry. My team and I have over 100 years experience in that space. We save the buyer and seller each $1 per minute per person by automating the designs and prices.