What sales concept was necessitated by the standardized cable pull of Shimano Index System (SIS)?

Answer

The modern concept of the "group set."

The standardization inherent in Shimano Index System (SIS) had profound manufacturing and sales implications that diverged from previous practices. Because SIS required a very specific, standardized cable pull per click to ensure precise derailleur movement, components were no longer interchangeable between brands or even specific models as easily as they were with friction systems. This necessity for perfect harmony meant that shifters, derailleurs, and cassettes had to be engineered to work optimally only when used in concert, leading directly to the modern industry concept of selling matched drivetrain components as a 'group set.'

What sales concept was necessitated by the standardized cable pull of Shimano Index System (SIS)?
inventionbicyclegear