Sentence:  If such an option is to viable over time, it needs to be protected against competitors. Having patent protection is one <WSD>route</WSD>. ... Another <WSD>route</WSD> is to have a programmatic investment strategy .... Rolex has taken this <WSD>route</WSD> ... 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  One of multiple methods or approaches to doing something.