Configure to Order (CTO) builds products from predefined options — no new engineering per order. Engineer to Order (ETO) designs a custom product for each order. CTO is fast and rule-driven; ETO is bespoke and engineering-intensive. Here's how they differ and where a configurator fits.
Configuration software helps both models — differently
A configurator enforces valid option combinations and produces pricing and bills of materials instantly, enabling true self-service product building with zero engineering touch.
A configurator captures requirements and automates the repeatable parts of design — shrinking custom-engineering scope to only what's genuinely unique. Heavy equipment example →
See how Ignitionary handles both standardized and engineered orders