Hi Bob,
Digi-Reels vs. Cut Tape are a personal preference for various assembly houses.
It’s a good idea to have those kinds of conversations with them as keeping their overhead down often translates to the cost of the job down, which can add up during small runs, and some have requirements/guidelines.
Many assembly houses very much appreciate the value added service a Digi-Reel provides, some prefer full reels to keep on hand for the job, and some that work with cut tape or just need a few extra parts purchased to be sacrificed as the leader itself, as this is often done with components that cost a fraction of a penny.
-Kristof