A product configurator guides a user through valid product, service or solution choices. It applies compatibility, dependency and selection rules to produce an orderable configuration.
How does a product configurator work?
The user chooses requirements or components while the system permits, requires or excludes options according to product rules. The result may generate a bill of materials, service scope, price or quote line.
Which types are common?
- Feature and option selectors
- Guided selling questionnaires
- Engineer-to-order configuration
- Product-and-service bundle builders
- Visual or three-dimensional configurators
Configurator vs. CPQ
A configurator establishes a valid solution. CPQ combines configuration with governed pricing and quotation. A configurator may operate independently or as the configuration component of CPQ.
What data must be governed?
Maintain product structures, option relationships, constraints, effective dates and output mappings. A valid commercial configuration must also be manufacturable and fulfillable.
How should it be tested?
Test common paths, incompatible combinations, boundary quantities, legacy products and rule changes. Monitor manual overrides and failed orders because they often reveal missing rules.
