VA integration with product configurator

The Infor product configurator application is part of the Infor CPQ (CPQ) product suite. The CPQ integration with Value Add (VA) is an order-level integration that specifies and adds the appropriate sections, lines, and notes to a configured item's VA order in Distribution SX.e. Product configuration with the CPQ Configurator and a tied VA order in Distribution SX.e can occur in two ways:

  • During Sales Order Entry

    When automatic sourcing for CPQ-Configured VA products is enabled through the Distribution SX.e administrator options, a customer service representative (CSR) can access the CPQConfigurator from Sales Order Entry through the VA workflow. After adding a sales order line for a CPQ-Configurator VA assembly-type product, the CSR uses the CPQ Configurator and the VA module work order system to define the product's configuration. Inventory components, specifications, and pricing can be returned from CPQ. The sections populate in the VA order, and the price can be applied as a manual override once the CSR returns to Sales Order Entry.

  • After Sales Order Entry

    A VA specialist with operator authority can access the CPQ Configurator from the Value Add module. The specialist can configure and track raw material for product manufacturing that requires material products of specific types. The specialist uses the Configurator and the VA module work order system to define the product's configuration. Then, the specialist assigns materials to be used, and tracks the results of the product fabrication.

The integration of Distribution SX.e Value Add with CPQ enables you to perform these actions:

  • Configure VA assembly-type items in the CPQ Configurator
  • Access the CPQ Configurator from VA Order Entry to configure the item and add the appropriate sections, lines, and notes to the VA order.
  • Access the CPQ Configurator and an automatically tied new VA order from Sales Order Entry through the Value Add workflow. Then, return configuration data, including sections, lines, and notes, from the product configuration to the VA order and sales order line.
  • Review order information in VA Order Inquiry
  • View lot items’ transaction history and cut piece information in Product Inquiry and Product Extended Lot Number Setup
  • Set up and manage products with configurable features, options, dimensions, color, or price
  • Manage inventory allocations and lot number assignments for configurable products

See the Infor Distribution SX.e Integration Guide for Infor Configure Price Quote and Enterprise Quoting.

Assumptions and limitations

Note the conditions of this integration:

  • Pricing: Because the VA module is cost-based, item cost and labor cost is used to complete sales pricing when called from VA Order Entry. Pricing can be returned from CPQ when you enable the Auto Source CPQ Configurator VA Assembly Type Products option in SA Administrator Options-Integrations-Configurator Options or when you manually tie a Sales Order Entry line to a VA order. In which case, the sales order line price is overridden by the CPQ-configured price after configuration of the tied VA order through the Value Add Rollup window as a manual price override.
  • Units of measure: The integration assumes that the stocking unit of measure is a “square” unit (inch, foot, per inch width, square inch, square foot, square meter, etc.), but does not require or validate a specific unit of measure. Final inventory values are calculated as width x length. The product-level units of measure must be used for transactions. Units may not be changed during transactions, and mixed units are not recommended.
  • Supported cut: Only square cuts and step cuts are supported; angle cuts are not supported.
  • Remnants: The cost of scrap material is excluded from the final cost of the VA work order. Remnant material is moved to unavailable inventory. You must use Product Unavailable Inventory Entry to remove the remnants.
  • Product configuration: Products that are configured for CPQ integration can trigger a VA order tie when selected during Sales Order Entry. The configured product requires a Value Add Assembly Type of CPQ Configurator in Product Setup-General. It must also be set as a Configure Kit in Product Setup-Cores & Configurator. A CPQ ruleset for the configured product must be specified in the RuleSet field.
  • Value Add Workflow setup: Set up Distribution SX.e to automatically advance to VA Order Entry from Sales Order Entry when a VA line is entered. In Sales Order Entry-Order Entry Defaults, select After Add or Change in the Value Add Workflow field.