How to Streamline the Configurable Product Process from Sales to Manufacturing and Service
In this final post of the blog-post-series of Configurable Products, we will focus on how to streamline the configurable product process from sales...
In this blog-post we'll continue the series how to design the configurable product from Engineering point of view.
Many companies are struggling and wondering how to deal with configurable products in engineering?
Product modeling is a critical step in the engineering design process. Once the product features have been decided, engineers can begin creating the product design by utilizing various design tools like Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software and engineering documents. Additionally, creating new items, Bill of Materials (BOMs), and documents and saving them into VariSuite’s Product Data Management (PDM) with design tool integrations is a crucial step.
VariSuite is an excellent choice for engineers since it supports modularity, allowing each module to have its own model. These modules can then be used in several products, with the product only adding a set of possible parameter values to the module. This saves development time by allowing engineers to create and test the product model during design instead of separately configuring the product.
In VariSuite, engineers can combine the chosen product parameters with items, BOMs, and documents to create a product model. The product model consists of a MaxiBOM, also known as a SuperBOM or 150%BOM, where all product components are created as a product family structure with parameters, selection rules, and assignments. The product family structure levels are unlimited, and VariSuite allows configurability down to the lowest level of items or components. This means that the product doesn’t need to use standard components, and each component can be parametric.
Once the design is ready, the engineering team tests and verifies the product model in VariSuite. The product is then approved or released with version control that supports changes to the product like any other PDM.
The main benefits of using VariSuite for product modeling include:
- Time Savings: VariSuite saves development time by allowing engineers to create and test product models during the design phase, eliminating the need for a separate product configurator.
- Modularity: VariSuite supports modularity, allowing engineers to reuse modules across multiple products.
- Comprehensive Product Model: The product model in VariSuite includes a MaxiBOM with all product components created as a product family structure with parameters, selection rules, and assignments.
- Configurability: Engineers can configure products down to the lowest level of items or components, allowing for greater flexibility and customization.
- Version Control: VariSuite includes version control that supports changes to the product like any other PDM, ensuring that engineers can easily track and manage changes to the product model.
