As anyone that works in the computer field knows, designing a good flexible standard interface is a major challenge. If Ricoh succeeded here, then it is far easier and quicker to design a new sub-assembly that uses the interface than to design a completely new and integrated system. Development is usually done by teams of engineers with mixed areas of expertise. Optical engineers, electronic engineers, computer engineers and software developers to name a few. Usually, each works on a particular part of a design and then later the design elements are integrated. This last step is where the biggest headaches originate as sub-elements fail to work together as envisioned due to misunderstandings or failed communications between groups and this where the heavy time consuming testing takes place where bugs are identified and fixes are implemented and retested. Sometimes major design errors are found and it takes a great deal of time to fix these. With a removable module design, Ricoh engineers were forced to design an interface with solid electronic, mechanical and timing characteristics. Adding a new module where the interface is well defined and understood is a lot easier and quicker. The key is whether the company can capitalize on this characteristic. Another factor is the ability to design the optics to match the sensor characteristics. Suppose you want a full size sensor, it may be easier to accomplish when you can design the optics to overcome sensor short-commings.