Refer to Chapter 7 and Chapter 2 tor the second part of the discussion, What is a customer order decoupling point? Why is it important? What's the relationship between the design ota manutacturing process and the firm's strategic competitive dimensions (Chapter 21? Decoupling points are a strategy to keep inventory at a lower state of value at a "generic" state where it can be customized later when an order of specific detail comes about For example, if you desire a specific computer, and you do not want to go to store and pick whatever is available, you can order one from Delt. You can pick up the desired hard drive or solid state, the amount of ram, the type of processor, and the screen Dell keeps components at a lower state of readiness, so the inventory can be customized when someone places an order. This reduces lead-time, keeps inventory at a lower value, and at the same time enables Dell to provide a much more customized response to the customer