Product configurator
The Product configurator in Monitor ERP is an option which provides support to handle and combine different variants/models of products without having to register unique part numbers.
By using a basic design you can compose different configurations (variants and executions) of a product, based on the options and variables which have been defined. By using rules you determine that invalid options cannot be used and that some choices are made automatically. The product configurator supports the entire process from quote to manufacturing and purchases.
When making a configuration you (normally) start from a basic BOM and routing where only the materials and operations which should always be included in the product, are entered and are not possible to select. For example, the operation called assembly should always be included. During the configuration you create the product from different parts in option lists which can be determined by rules. You also use variables and formulas, if any, if you are configuring a product made to measure.
The configurations you create will be completely integrated in the regular procedures in Monitor ERP and are managed in calculations, simulations, and in order procedures (except for stock orders). In addition to this there are functions for you to administer and show statistics for configurations.
Areas of use
The configurator can be used for different needs depending on the field of operation and work method:
- Sales – Makes it easy to define different product variants when making quotes and orders, and you can see straight away which configurations are possible to create and what they will cost. The Product configurator can with advantage be combined with a web solution to present a user-friendly interface to e.g. salesmen or customers. This way you provide an improved accessibility.
- Production – Manufacture the right product variant with correct operation and material contents. This provides easy management of variants from each separate order, directly generated from the customer order. Pre-calculations, structure lists, check delivery times, and corresponding structure management are made for any configuration. Many different product variants based on a minimal range of parts.
- Purchase – Configurate purchased parts on a customer order and automatically create purchase order with information about the variant you wish to purchase. For purchased parts (included in a configured manufacturing order) you can easily create linked purchases with configured information to the supplier.
- Aftermarket – Enables detailed follow-ups and traceability of each product variant. With an integrated serial number register, the information about each sold (specific) product is managed via a unique serial number. This facilitates management and provision of spare parts, warranty commitment, and maintenance of each specific product variant.
