Providing a combination of automated software / manufacturing service like those enabled by Personal Factory brings with it the challenge of ensuring those who wish to use it are able to do so with as little additional assistance as possible.

Naturally the ideal customers are those who can easily get their heads around formatting requirements, understand the fabrication method, idiosyncrasies associated with materials and even the basics of good design process.

If the service is provided openly, however, you will undoubtedly attract customers who do not have this level of innate competency, and as a result the better the content you can provide at the outset, the less work you'll need to do later following up on orders and questions.

This content has two purposes:

1. arming the customer with the information they need to create a ready-to-make design, given their chosen fabrication method and material
2. preparing the customer with the correct expectations, so that before, during and at the completion of the order process they are not confused, concerned or disappointed

ARM THE CUSTOMER WITH INFORMATION

* What fabrication method/s is/are available to them?

* What are the key considerations required when making a design with that fabrication method?

- capabilities of the method/s
- limitations of the method/s
- any idiosyncrasies related to YOUR offering of the method/s

* What materials are available, and what considerations do they require?

* What software packages can be used to create designs?

* What are each of the formatting requirements for a ready-to-make design file?

- requirements for the fabrication method/machines
- requirements for the automated quoting system

* What are the potential pitfalls with formatting that customers could encounter?

* What additional tips could improve the customers' results?

PREPARE THE CUSTOMER WITH CORRECT EXPECTATIONS

* How is the price of their order calculated?

* How long will their order probably take to make?

* How long will their order probably take to ship?

* What exactly will they receive in their package?

- waste material?
- flat packed?

* What finishing will likely be required to fabricated parts?