Product Configurator

This module is used to create unique product variants and the orders necessary to produce them. It is also used to create Product Variants with Item Number. This is described in a product structure common to all variants of a product.

The module includes functions for specifying these information.

See Basic Data for Product Configuration

See Product Configuration

It also includes functions for producing simulated product configurations and their corresponding costings, manufacturing orders, and purchase orders.

The module also contains functions for compiling historic product configurations.

Relationship

The figure below shows the interrelationship with other modules.

Warehouse activity control

The configuration code in program ‘Item. Open’ (MMS001/G) indicates whether the item is to be configured. When an order or quotation is entered for such an item, it is then possible for a product configuration to be created automatically.

Depending on the configuration code, either customer-specific product variants or product variants with item numbers are created.

Production data

Product configuration is based on a product structure, which is also the basis for product costing, manufacturing orders, requirements calculations, etc. Product configuration elements can be connected to each product structure. These are used to describe the characteristics of a product.

Manufacturing order processing

When a customer requirement is entered, manufacturing proposals can be released automatically or manually at a later point. In the latter case, it is also possible to create purchase and manufacturing orders from the bottom upwards in the product structure. Changes can then be made directly in the configured product structure. Regardless of how the manufacturing order is released, it is always connected to the customer order, through order initiation, and uses the result of the configuration performed.

Product costing

Two types of costings can be created: a weighted costing for different models of a product, or a unique costing for each c order. In the first case, the weighted costing takes into account the average quantity and time, and how often various components are used in the models. In the second case, when a manufacturing order is released for a configured product, a costing is automatically created which is based on the unique product structure. This results in an exact costing for the order. For product variants with an item number, costings are created the same way as for any other product.

Engineering/Recipe change management

During these types of changes, a product structure and its configuration elements can be changed. At the same time, a new revision of a product can also be obtained. This revision will then be included in the product configuration result and in the manufacturing orders used. In this way an overview is obtained of the revision used when a configured product is produced. For more information, refer to listed documents in See Also section.

Customer/Project order processing, sales quotation

When a requirement is entered, a check is made to see if the item should be configured. If so, product configuration is started. If the requirement is entered as a customer order, the product configuration can also affect the sales price and the internal cost of the product variant. Depending on the type of configured product, it can either be delivered directly from stock or be produced after a customer requirement arises. A customer requirement can be entered using a quotation, project order, or customer order. It can also be entered as a simulation in order to obtain information for where-used analysis or cost analysis.

Before you start

Warehouse Activity Control and Product Data must be used to define product configuration elements.

To use product configuration to its full potential, the following should be installed:

  • Customer Order Processing
  • Sales Quotation
  • Purchase Order Processing
  • Engineering/Recipe Change Management
  • Project Order Processing
  • Product Costing
  • Manufacturing Order Processing