TOPIC: Question on Project Vs Operation

Hello,

While reading PMBOK Guide and listening to the prepcast, I got this question. Can someone please answer.

PMBOK defines Project as a temporary and unique activity, while Operations as a continuous and core business activity.

Consider this:

1. An organization that provides a service to general public like Banks.
2. An Organization that provides services to other organizations like consulting firm.

In the case 1, sure it makes sense and I can clearly understand the definitions.

In Case 2, where the firm's primary business is building these "unique" products to company's in case 1. In this case, because it is core business activity for Consulting companies, should categorize this into Operational? Or just by the Project's definition, every project is unique(Sure no company has the cookie cutter requirements) and so the work done by case 2 companies are termed under Projects.

Please clarify.

Best,
Ram