Product Configurator

The configuration capabilities of Evolution provide functionality for complex make to order operations. Mechanical assemblies, water heaters, automotive assembly are typical areas in which this module has been deployed. Configuration involves three steps;

• Models, Components and Options is a set of transactions used to define the generic BoM and routings against the various models and component groups, also allowing the user to develop the attribute rules which govern inclusion or exclusion from a particular variant.
• Model Definition allows the user to define attributes or options (colour, voltage, engine size etc) and the permitted values.
• The third function is used to configure a model to meet the requirements of a particular sales order. This would involve the user going through the following process:
  • entering the attribute values requested by the customer.
  • Generation of a variant which is created as a top-level part. A unique identity is given to this configured variant by using the model name and a user or system generated variant number as the twenty character part number.
  • unique lower level sub assembly variants are created if required.
  • unspecified part references are replaced with appropriate parts.
  • the variant may be amended if required.
  • the variant for is released for transfer to the production database.

A BOM is created on the production database so that manufacturing and despatching can be performed in the usual manner.