Standardization and customization in product development and services define an industry's ability to balance efficiency and flexibility. These two elements enable construction companies and building solutions providers to deliver consistent quality while meeting the ever-changing demands of the market landscape. It allows providers to maintain operational efficiency while also accommodating diverse requirements.

In today’s environment, both are essential. Standardization and customization enhances customer satisfaction and fosters innovation within the industry. This drives continuous improvement and pushes the boundaries of what is achievable in construction and building solutions.

Understanding Standardization and Customization in the Building Solutions Industry

Focusing on building solutions providers, standardization and customization have many benefits depending on the project and its requirements.

Standardized products and services provide the following benefits:

• Consistent quality. Standardized products and services ensure uniform quality due to rigorous testing and development, so clients can expect consistent quality and performance.
• Time savings. Since design, specifications, and features are standardized, building solutions providers can immediately bring the products and services to the market, thus capitalizing better on the immediate market demand.
• Interchangeability. Standardized parts in manufacturing allow for quick replacements and repairs, reducing downtime.

For example, commercial office spaces, retail stores, hotels, small businesses, and warehouses ask for standardized air conditioning systems within their establishments. Standardized air conditioning units are consistent, efficient, and easy to maintain, thus leading to smoother operation, with more comfortable guests and consumers that keep coming back.

Customized products and services offer the following advantages:

• Tailored to individual needs. Customized products and services are designed to meet the client’s specific requirements and custom architectural design. This ensures that the product or service aligns perfectly with the customer's unique needs, which leads to higher satisfaction.
• Competitive advantage. Customization can be a significant differentiator in a competitive market. Businesses offering personalized solutions attract customers who seek unique and tailored experiences.
• Long-term client relationships. Customization fosters long-term relationships between businesses and customers through excellent customer service and after-sales support.

Using the same example above, manufacturing factories, laboratories, aerospace and defense establishments, museums and art galleries, specialized industrial facilities, and energy-efficient sustainable buildings opt for customized air conditioning systems. These facilities require specialized or controlled air conditioning systems to maintain personalized temperature and humidity control for both production processes and employee comfort.

Why Standardization and Customization Go Hand In Hand

Overall, clients are the ones to make the final decision on whether to select standardized or customized building solutions. The factors that influence the client’s decision-making include:

• The business’ priority when it comes to its establishment,
• Building codes and regulatory requirements,
• Budget for the construction project,
• Green building standards; and
• Local climate conditions.

The infrastructure’s size also influences the business’s plans to acquire standardized or customized building technologies. Small infrastructures or businesses such as housing typically request for standardized building technology. On the other hand, large-scale establishments require analysis and close coordination with the consultants or architects at the design stage of the building.

At International Elevator & Equipment, Inc. (IEE), we help provide standardized and tailored building solutions to fulfill the client’s requirements. By making Mitsubishi Electric’s world-class technologies accessible to local businesses, we work with clients to meet their diverse needs without compromising on the quality that Mitsubishi Electric solutions provide.

The IEE Approach to Providing Building Solutions

IEE adopts a comprehensive coordination approach to working with our clients. Through thorough coordination between the design team and the customer, IEE can offer the right Mitsubishi Electric products and building automation systems aligned with the client’s building information modeling.

Our client consultation process also allows us to tailor the client experience from consultation to implementation and after-sales support.

The company follows a structured procedure when addressing customization requests. The team is hands-on in creating a customized building solutions plan. Our sales engineers work with the clients throughout the consultation and installation of their required systems. They regularly conduct client coordination and site visits to ensure that the technology addresses the client’s requirements and their building’s design.

Specifically, our sales engineers conduct a thorough needs assessment to understand the client’s requirements. The assessment involves taking in factors such as:

• building size
• occupancy
• local climate conditions
• budget constraints
• any special considerations such as sustainable building materials and sustainability goals (e.g., air quality, energy efficiency, noise levels)

Additional factors are also considered depending on the technology being installed. For vertical transport systems, we conduct traffic calculation and analysis to determine the optimal number of elevators and the elevator type and design that suits the establishment’s aesthetic. For air conditioning systems, on the other hand, the team’s customized plan involves selecting the right HVAC equipment, ductwork, controls, and additional equipment for the infrastructure. Additional features are also considered and then added based on the building’s use and operations.

Upon installation, we also provide clients with regular maintenance schedules and support services. This is to ensure the longevity and reliability of the customized building solutions.

Communication and collaboration between the client and engineers are essential throughout the process. This enables IEE to address any changes, challenges, or emerging requirements. The consistent support also builds trust and establishes a relationship with the client. This fosters connections and ensures IEE's competitiveness.

Balancing Customization and Standardization

We understand that each project is unique, with its challenges and requirements. We offer a holistic approach to providing world-class Mitsubishi Electric solutions and tailoring them to client’s needs.

IEE focuses on building excellence not only by introducing world-class solutions but also by ensuring customer satisfaction through tailor-fit systems for their projects. Our team always has the client and their end-user in mind. We invest in ensuring that the clients enjoy the highest level of comfort, efficiency, ecology, and safety.

We empower our clients to make informed decisions, offering standardized solutions for streamlined efficiency and customized innovations for unparalleled quality. Through this multifaceted approach, we not only construct buildings but nurture enduring relationships, elevating industry standards and setting industry benchmarks for excellence.