Knowledge-based configuration

Product configurators are computer programs that allow the specification of products customized for quotes or orders and orders (consumer goods or capital goods ) can be generated. The terms and Variant Configurator Configurator are often used synonymously.

• 4.1 In the area of ​​consumer goods
• 4.2 In the field of capital goods 4.2.1 CAS - centric configurators
• 4.2.2 ERP - centric configurators
• 4.2.3 ERP - centric configurators with CAD Automation
• 4.2.4 CAD - centric configurators
• 4.2.5 configurators with 3D viewers

Definition

The term product configurator is not uniformly defined. The spectrum ranges from the selection of simple product properties, such as eg when buying a DVD, automatically generate up to systems, all product data such as 3D - CAD data, drawings, parts lists, offers, and graphics.

Examples of definitions:

"Product configurators are multifunctional, computer-based systems that are available as interface between sales and value-added -related functions. They are used for information and technical knowledge and task integration with the aim to support the sales and task execution processes effectively and efficiently. "

" The product configuration describes the assembly of a product from given product components (so-called selection and combination ) and selection of content, characteristics of the components properties (called parametrization ) in compliance with the configuration rules. The configuration options are provided in the selection, combination and parameterisation of a product limited by the configuration rules. "

" Configuration systems are [ ... ] an integral link between product development, manufacturing and customer dar. Equipped with a simple user interface conduct these systems the customer ( and possibly a sales staff ) through the collection of need information - and check once the consistency and the production capacity the desired variant. "

" A product configurator is a tool Which supports the product configuration process so did all the design and configuration rules Which are overexpressed in a product configuration model are guaranteed to be satisfied."

" Product Configurator: A tool that helps determine the product so that it satisfies given properties. A product configurator can be created in different ways, it can be specially programmed, or it can be a tool used to create it. The software for the creation of a product configurator is called the configuration software. "

"With the " mass customization " is observed a trend that brings forth products that are offered despite high individuality at prices that can only be achieved with the aid of mass production methods. This strategy is largely ahead of modular product structures that also allow modifications and changes to individual pre-developed product components. Such a procedure, in which the determination of the final product is carried out as a compilation of pre-developed components is referred to as .. "Configuration" "

Use reasons

Product configurators can be viewed on the Internet just as crucial competitive advantage of manufacturing companies and trade. Due to the advantages of a product configurator ( error- free deals, short reaction times, minimizing complaint rate, increase customer satisfaction) increases in productivity across the enterprise are achieved.

The demand of the markets to the individualization of products of manufacturing companies requires the development and production of products that are tailored to the customers needs and can be individually configured each customer according to his wishes and order. The solution to this problem is vital for many companies in the context of globalization, in particular, to maintain market position, unique features, and not least their level of prices in international competition. The control of product complexity and variety, both during order acquisition, as well as in the contract is of crucial importance.

The previous option of selecting from a variety of product variants, is now alone is no longer sufficient. The customer ( an individual or a company ) would like tailor made to order using the standard range of variants, products and system solutions. He will accept only small losses in terms of price and delivery time. Quality and service must be consistent with the conventional mass-produced products. Providers must individually respond to customer inquiries and thereby be able to leave as soon as possible costing reliable and technically clarified listings that ensures that they can be manufactured cost and quality- optimized and delivered on schedule.

This market demand for individualization ( high external variance) but contrary is also the company's internal pressure for standardization ( low internal variance). The conflict can be solved with methods and automation solutions for the realization of Individualized mass production ( mass customization ) and customized mass production. These include well structured and modularized products that are organized into kits or platforms. Product classification systems allow you to quickly locate and use of product data. Department of Cross- Product Knowledge management makes design know -how, for example in the sales process available. Interactive configuration capture systems based on rules the specifics of products. In the automotive industry, arise from the variety of optional features, up to a quintillion product variants. A consistent variant formation can be greatly simplified by an algebraic Produktdefintion.

These measures can achieve an optimal variance and individuality for the market and still reduce the internal variance and multiplicity of parts. Individualization is possible so without loss of productivity. The aim is to offer the customer an extremely fast cost-effective, quality-optimized, customized solution, which is essentially "pulled out of the drawer " internally.

Tasks

The of a product configurator processed objects are influenced by the following factors:

• Business processes
• User Groups
• Problem class or production approach
• Additional IT functions
• Integration into the existing system landscape
• Vitality of the product

Business processes

Basically, the product configurator is able to automate business processes completely and without further user intervention. Here the following business processes are to:

• Order acquisition process ( product marketing, distribution, sale, acquisition, customer acquisition, ...)
• Order fulfillment process ( order processing, design, production scheduling, ...).

Order acquisition process

The product determination the suitable product or the appropriate product group is determined based on the requirements of customers. In this task typically used electronic product catalogs with search facilities and so-called "Product Advisor " or "Product Finder" to use. The support in product discovery is especially for non - experts such as new product sales staff or end user of interest. In sales use a good product determination reduces the training time of new employees as well as the time to market for new products.

Result of sales product configuration is an offer document, which can be sent to the customer. Need for content to be carried out the following tasks:

• Technically correct and complete product specification,
• Commercial offer calculation,
• Offer document creation,
• Technical Documentation,
• Product visualization.

The use of sales product configuration has a primary effect on the performance of the distribution (reduced processing time, higher throughput ) and the error reduction ( technically correct and complete specification, whose real price).

Order fulfillment process

The production-oriented product configuration support for order entry and order processing. If they operated in isolation from the sales, so it also takes on the task of task clarification, at a coupling, this object is already being edited by the sales product configuration. Result of the production-oriented product configuration are all production-relevant information. The error avoidance through the use of a product configurator to generate the information relevant to production can reduce the order processing time significantly as time-consuming queries the customer in advance can be avoided.

The use of production- oriented product configuration affects primarily on the performance of the design and work preparation (lower processing time, higher throughput ) and the error reduction ( technically correct and complete production data).

Of special significance is the seamless combination of both processes. On the Internet, configured, for example, a business customer a tailor-made product, and after his order all business processes to production and delivery run without any media break fully automatic. A central application orchestrates it all involved IT systems. In this context one also speaks of 3D - based business processes, when the product is object-oriented in all phases and interactively visualized in 3D and edited.

User Groups

It is also important which user groups to work with the product configurator. Here we can distinguish between

• Customers and prospects,
• Sales ( sales partners, field sales, internal sales, trading partners, ...)
• Engineering ( planning, design, technical office, production scheduling, ...).

The design of the surface will turn out for the customer other than for the office staff, the customer needs an appealing interface with the ability to request explanations, while the internal sales staff emphasizes efficient operation. The salesperson sees other commercial information as the Distributor, the one will cost displayed while the others only list prices get to see. Differences may also lie in the functionality, the office staff may declare to the sales staff have an extended set of components to choose from.

Problem class or production approach

The difficulty with configuration problems is that the individual components can not be chosen independently, but are available in variety of dependencies to each other. To characterize the complexity of the task, the following classifications will be happy (of production batches) taken to help.

Additional IT functions

For use in addition to the "pure" product configuration are more IT functions required.

A product catalog ( " Repository" ) can assist in the compilation of the bid items. With a PTO task can even be omitted entirely the product configurator; it is left to the user, which positions he puts together. Often possible to find a tight coupling between catalog functions and configurator functions. The catalog will help in determining a product group that is specified by a configurator. The configuration is called from the catalog. Conversely, the catalog can be accessed from the configuration in order to offer the user a partial area to choose from.

The result can be stored, for example, in a calculation module ( " cart "). There, the content and the compilation of financial calculation can be done, if it is not already taken place parallel to the configuration.

Functions for document generation produce from the requested documents. The user determines the type of the document, the layout is varied, if appropriate, additional printing options.

The 3D visualization ( "Preview" ) of an individual product at runtime the configuration supports the user in selecting optimal characteristic by an immediate visual feedback. This is the configuration for the user an experience.

Integration into the existing system landscape

A product configurator should not be operated as a stand-alone solution, but are integrated into the existing system landscape. The technical parameters to decide whether it is cheaper to function individually or modules to be integrated as a closed application.

Is a CRM system in use, so there the information about customers and sales projects are managed. About the interface to the CRM system the product configurator will be provided with all relevant information. This typically includes contact and address data, custom discount rates etc.

For integration with an ERP system, a distinction is made between two different interfaces. An interface to the ERP system used for the transfer of order data. In scenarios without CRM system sometimes takes place and the supply management in the ERP system, then the offer data via this interface are transmitted.

The second interface to the ERP system is important for modeling. About Her article master data from the ERP system to be synchronized with the product configurator. This interface also the catalog can be filled with product master data from the ERP system.

An interface to a CAD system can be operated in one or two-sided. Often, a visualization of the results of configuration is useful in a 2D or 3D representation. For this purpose, the configuration data, either transmitted at the end of the configuration process, or even in contact following the CAD system, in which the corresponding message is generated. As an additional service, the so generated 2D or 3D models can be delivered to the customers. An even closer coupling can be useful in ETO tasks, there can be used as an input surface for the Configurator, the CAD system.

Depending on the scenario, other interfaces are still needed. A widespread example, the integration with a content management system to integrate text and graphics for catalog and configuration or integration with a PLM / PDM system. Another useful feature is the connection to the Internet ( online shop).

For a specific application need not be fully developed in all modules shown. For example, if only the office staff in order processing are supported, so many of the functions described by modules of the ERP system can be adopted.

In addition, Excel is a very popular tool used to store product and dependencies and to provide for other applications ( copy and paste). But the more variations and details must be maintained in Excel, the less clear and manageable is this tool. Therefore Excel data should be imported into configurators.

Product-specific calculation and interpretation programs are operated by many companies in the application technology. These programs have in the configuration process can also be integrated.

Product changes

Many products are subject to change over time in their composition, appearance and properties, technically improved and adapted to market and customer needs. Therefore, the product knowledge to product configurator must be constantly maintained and the changes are displayed in a suitable manner. Therefore, a configurator should the product not only static but dynamic, able to map over time. For this, the product characteristics must be delimited in time by an insert and a Entfalltermin. The temporal boundary ( ' validity ') of product features can be done in two ways: either it be to distinguish calendar data to enter or be entered modification keys that are terminated then a reference table calendar related.

However, product properties change very rarely, the effort is in the initial recognition of product knowledge. The cost of care is relatively low. However, for complex products, as is the case in the automotive industry, the number of to-maintain features and feature relationships can be very extensive. Here, the products must be maintained for many years with all the possible combinations. A special task it is to maintain consistently the hundreds of constraints between features.

The maintenance required is also an important cost factor. Therefore, the maintenance of the characteristics of possible combinations and the restrictions should be supported by an appropriate tool. The product expert should independently can input and updated product knowledge in the configurator and not be dependent on the software provider.

Species

In the area of ​​consumer goods

Configurators in the field of consumer ( business-to -consumer, B2C) used a so-called mass customization realize. This refers to mass customization. The aim is to produce customized products, but at a cost that is higher or only slightly higher than the cost of not manufactured in a traditional mass production standard products. Typical products that can be configured are cars, bikes, computers, furniture and clothing. In the automotive industry, with its complex and richly varied end products the correct product definition for the customer can sometimes be very difficult. Between the many different characteristics ( features) of a vehicle consist each country or market and vehicle model many different dependencies and restrictions or constraints. Thus, certain equipment combinations ' forbidden ' ( eg a roof rack with folding or sliding roof ), or it must have certain equipment combinations can be selected (eg, a more powerful battery in the selection of an air conditioner ). Also, government regulations, certain features and feature combinations ' force '. For a correct vehicle order is therefore a vehicle configurator ( car configurator ) for both the customer as well as for the manufacturers of advantage. This configurator helps the customer in selecting the desired features and reminded him of the permitted and / or illegal feature combinations.

As a result, the configuration of the customer receives an offer that is usually so placed concomitantly with other information such as pictures, graphics. The operators of these configurators can evaluate the demand behavior and control and customize their product offerings accordingly. If the customer orders, the configuration data can be further processed ( at best ) in the order fulfillment process. In many cases, the configurators to so-called shop - systems are connected, in which the products can also be ordered the same.

Related to product configurations for end users see C. Scheer: Customer-oriented product configurator (2006).

In the field of capital goods

Typical products in the capital goods sector ( business-to -business, B2B) that can be configured are:

• Components of consumer
• Propulsion systems ( engines, transmissions, brakes, shafts, couplings, bearings, ... )
• Automation systems and handling systems ( linear systems, rotary tables, grippers, swivel units, robots, portals, ...)
• Conveyor systems (elevators, cranes, palletizers, escalators, conveyors, ...)
• Hydraulic and pneumatic systems (cylinder, control blocks, ...)
• Resources (equipment, machinery, devices, tools, ...)
• Commercial kitchen equipment ( stoves, pans, countertops, dishwasher, deductions, ... )
• Technical energy systems ( transformers, compressors, generators, ... )
• Enclosures, connectors, couplers, connectors, distribution, ...

The operators of these configurators, provided that the systems are operated on the internet, to evaluate the demand behavior and control and customize their product offerings accordingly. If the customer orders, the configuration data can be further processed partially or completely in the order fulfillment process.

CAS - centric configurators

Computer Aided Selling (CAS ) configurators are usually then used when complex products with many options to be configured. The aim is to derive one or more buildable variants ( alternatives ) from the available range of components and options and to evaluate and for each to determine a price. An example of this is the vehicle configurators of the car manufacturers that are available on the Internet ( see below). The focus is fast and accurate response to customer inquiries in technical sales is here in the form of offers and other leading up to the order processing necessary data and information.

These systems often also provide the following CRM features:

• Customer and contact management
• Contact management
• Document Management
• Projekt-/Objektverwaltung
• Offer management
• Internet sales (Shop)
• Quotation
• Price lists
• Order confirmation
• Data exchange ( replication ) between indoor and outdoor service
• Order Generation
• Statistics and analysis

The following product data is generated:

• Offers
• Variant BOMs
• Work plans

Users of this technology are:

• Customers and prospects
• Sales staff ( field and office )

The added value of such systems is to improve competitiveness through:

• The drastic reduction of the time required for the creation of customized offerings,
• Faster response to customer requests,
• Complete and consistent offers and
• The reuse of parts and components.

ERP - centric configurators

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) configurators are usually then used when complex products with many options to be configured. The aim is to derive from the available range of components and options a buildable version.

Manufacturer of ERP systems offer variant configuration systems. Here the product structure in complex or maximum BOMs and maximum work plans with the help of dependency is mapped. The dependencies makes the connection between the parts list and the product configuration and will - expressed or formulated differently - depending on the type of product definition. In an ideal product definition boolean expressions can be used, which are a particularly compact expression. Alternatively, there are ERP systems that operate on the basis of minimum bills of material, routings and minimum formula generators for imaging of expertise, such as Oxaion or UPOS. In particular, SAP, Axapta, unipps and proALPHA settle their respective products in the area of Product Lifecycle Management ( PLM), Customer Relationship Management ( CRM) and supply chain management (SCM ) to. The result of a configuration bill of material and routing that serve essentially the material and resource planning.

The following product data is generated:

• Variant BOMs,
• Work plans.

Users of this technology are:

• Internal users in the process chain of the provider.

ERP - centric configurators with CAD Automation

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) configurators are usually then used when complex products with many options and different size versions ( which were not previously defined ) will be configured. The aim is to derive a buildable version from the available range of components and options, and it also automatically generate the CAD data.

In technically complex and multi-variant products - as is the case in the automotive industry - can the correct definition of a product for the customer sometimes be very difficult. Often there are numerous dependencies, which can be expressed as " commandments " or " prohibitions " Between the many different characteristics of a vehicle. Thus, in a vehicle, certain engine-transmission combinations ' prohibited ' or it must be chosen very specific combinations, such as a more powerful battery in the selection of an air conditioner. In order to obtain a clear and correct definition of a vehicle, the use of a vehicle configurator is useful for both the customer as well as for the vehicle manufacturer. This product configurator helps customers in the selection of features and reminded him of the permissible and impermissible prevents combinations of features. For the creation of a configurator is a logical product definition as ideal Boolean algebra is helpful, as this ensures a consistent product definition and facilitates the description and input constraints. As a result, inter alia, restrictions be inherited inheritance ( programming).

The generation of bills of materials takes place only after the configuration of the final product. For this, especially configurable BOMs are complex. Based on the individual product definition, a product-specific BOM be generated that contains only the specific components and parts. Can be made to the respective CAD data About this product-specific BOM then turn the connection. The generation of the respective work and assembly plans are also based on the product-specific BOM, because this requires specific components and parts variations must be known.

The following documents are produced:

• Individual product definition for the order ( trading and distribution )
• Production order (production, assembly )
• Individual variant BOM ( for purchasing, logistics, manufacturing)
• Specific working and assembly plans ( for production and quality assurance )
• In addition all the data that generate CAD - centric configuration tool ( for production, quality assurance, and construction ).

Users of this configurator technology are:

• Internal users in the process chain from the supplier ( designer, production planners, logistics, purchasing )
• Sales of the company ( suppliers, importers, retailers ),
• Customers of the provider (buyer, distributors, importers, entrepreneurs ).

CAD - centric configurators

Constructive activities with 3D CAD systems are obtained in different areas. In product development, new products are produced to order neutral constructed. The generated here CAD data are often used to visualize in order neutral marketing media (eg Internet, catalogs, product sheets ). In order acquisition a sales attendant construction with vertriebsgerechtem detail is in many cases (especially for special wishes of the customer ) is required before placing the order to visualize the customer his individual product, to illustrate offers to bring about a technical clarification or the customer CAD Models - about for its own CAD ​​installation investigations - to make available. After placing the order, if necessary, subject to an additional constructive activities to create production-friendly detailed product documentation (drawings, NC programs, etc.). Modern 3D CAD systems are a powerful way to automate constructive activities. Due to the principle, however, is a remotely controlled by a configurator, rule-based design ( CAD Automation) proven by factors faster.

Computer Aided Design ( CAD) configurators are usually then used when complex products of many components and with many options and different arrangements are to be configured. The aim is to derive a buildable version from the available range of components and options, and these, if necessary, automatically adding new components and / or assemblies.

In CAD ​​configurators is the use of the resulting from the product configuration, parametric 3D data model of the accompanying drawings and other technological data along the entire process chain, from marketing to product assembly in the foreground. This is achieved by the methods of CAD automation.

The general idea is to use the present in Induststrieunternehmen, parametric 3D CAD systems as well as existing calculation and design programs for product configuration. In addition, ERP, PDM and CRM systems can usually be integrated via interfaces. The Configurator is used as a remote control of the mentioned systems and programs.

This product data at the end of a product configuration based on 3D CAD data:

• Native and neutral 3D CAD assemblies ( Autodesk Inventor, CATIA, Pro / ENGINEER, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Unigraphics, STEP, IGES, STL, VRML, eDrawings, ...)
• Native and neutral 3D CAD items ( Autodesk Inventor, CATIA, Pro / ENGINEER, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Unigraphics, STEP, IGES, STL, VRML, eDrawings, ...)
• Native and neutral CAD drawings (CAD, IGES, DXF, DWG, TIFF, EPS, eDrawings, ...)
• Offers, agreements and product descriptions (word processing and PDF)
• BOMs (ASCII, spreadsheet and PDF)
• Interpretation of data ( ASCII, spreadsheet and PDF)
• Images and graphics (PDF with U3D, JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, EPS, ... )

Users of this technology are:

• Customers and prospects,
• Sales staff ( field and office )
• Designers and project managers.

The added value of such systems is to improve competitiveness through:

• The drastic reduction of the time required for the creation of customized offerings,
• The faster response to customer requests,
• Complete, uniform services, regardless of the user,
• The drastic reduction of the time required for the custom design and engineering,
• The much faster delivery of all product documentation ( 3D models, drawings, parts lists, NC files, offers, etc.)
• The reduction of failure costs,
• 3D visualization of the individual product and
• The reuse of parts and components.

Configurators with 3D viewers

These configurators use additionally slim 3D product data for visualization. During the configuration ( characteristic value ), the user can immediately see in a 3D viewer, how the product is modified on the basis of its inputs. He can turn his product in the viewer interactively, enlarge, move, etc. To use a 3D viewer in the web browser, first a browser plug-in must be installed.

This product data available at the end of a product configuration:

• Offers, agreements and product descriptions (word processing and PDF)
• BOMs (ASCII, spreadsheet and PDF)
• Interpretation of data ( ASCII, spreadsheet and PDF)
• Images and graphics (JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, EPS, ... )

Users of this technology are:

• Customers and prospects, as well as
• Sales staff ( field and office ).

The added value of such systems is to improve competitiveness through:

• The instant 3-D visualization of individual product,
• The drastic reduction of the time required for the creation of customized offerings,
• The faster response to customer requests,
• Complete, uniform services, regardless of the user,
• The much faster delivery of all product documents ( offers, etc. ) and
• The reduction of error costs.

In addition, fully automatic native and neutral 3D CAD data and 2D drawings can be generated based on the viewing model. The product structure of the viewing model is synchronized to a so-called 3D CAD master. As a result, all the data as in the CAD - centric product configuration (see above) are available. The disadvantage here is that two different data models are necessary: the 3D viewing model and the 3D CAD model. However, let the total fixed, so immutable components (which usually make up the largest part of a product ) import from the 3D CAD system into the 3D viewing system and use without finishing. The structure of the variable 3D viewing component is carried out in 3D modeller of the viewing system, or with the tools of the plug-in vendor.

Differences between product configurators

Product configurators differ in the following features:

• The need to work with minimum or maximum structures, or allow mixed forms
• Various deep integrations with other systems (ERP, PLM, CRM, PDM, Office, CAD ... )
• The available modes of communication with other systems (for example, direct coupling and / or batch - coupling)
• Different or consistent data bases for different user groups ( sales, engineering, customer and prospective customer on the Internet)
• The availability of standard interfaces ( COM, DDE, ODBC, BAPI, WEB services, ...)
• Structure of the regulatory framework (eg procedural logic, decision tables, constraint solver, mixed forms )
• Definition of rules (eg, hard-coded script-based, interactive graphics, authoring system )
• Developed individually or standard configurator, which is implemented company-specific
• The possible installation locations (eg locally on computers on the network or on the WEB servers)
• The effort for creating and publishing HTML pages
• The need for use of browser plug -ins or applets
• The need for use of other software
• An Application Programming Interface (API ) to extend the range of functions
• The link to shop systems (CORBA, SOAP, XML -RPC)
• The automated processing of product structures from external systems (XML, ... )
• To configure the options the product top-down, bottom-up or mixed forms
• The opportunity to take advantage of the relationship knowledge / logic from other computer systems and / or configurators
• The possibility of using rules in Excel.

Patents

The process of the CAD - centric product configuration is 1,251,444 B1 Festo AG & Co -protected ( Esslingen ) since October 12, 2005 by the European Patent EP.

There are vendors of configurators that have a shared right of the above-mentioned patent. The question remains whether the companies that do not have this shared right at all may offer and / or operate configurators in the context of the patent.

Hazards

The above-mentioned Patent may be limited distribution, provision and use of CAD - centric product configurators. Here's to consider in each case whether providers have the above-mentioned shared law.