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Exhibit A: Expert Configurator Single-Level Example >
Generating Configured Screens
Generating Configured Screens
After all parts and component parts are defined on the Part Master File, we can begin the configuration process. In our example, we define the sales order entry rules first, followed by the pricing and manufacturing rules. Since the Expert Configurator processes rules in a hierarchical manner, we can control the execution path of the rules with rule numbers. See Rule Definition for more information on rules processing.
Expert Configurator screens are defined and validated through the use of screen generation and screen validation rules, also known as sales order entry rules. For a more detailed explanation of these rules, see Screen Generation Rule and Screen Validation Rule. Also, the Key Concepts and Procedures Section of this manual gives detailed information on maintaining all of the Expert Configurator rules and matrices. Please refer to the Key Concepts and Procedures section for more information on maintaining the rules discussed in this example.
The figure below illustrates the screen generation rules.
WILLIAMS PLT BEL EXPERT CONFIGURATOR 3/03/92
DSP01 SALES ORDER SCREEN RULE MAINTENANCE DETAIL
Rule Number 00100 01 DESK-001 OPTION SELECT SCREEN
Part Number DESK-001 BUILD-THRU/CFG DESK Version 01
P
Sq Option Description C Opt Def Default Value Cat Typ
5 STOCKHOLM Stockholm Model 1 1 A N R
10 LONDON London Model 1 1 A Y R
15 DESKSIZE1 2.0m x 0.8m 1 1 A N R
20 DESKSIZE2 3.0m x 0.8m 1 1 A N R
25 DESKSIZE3 3.0m x 1.0m 1 1 A Y R
30 COLOR Color 1 15 A M
35 LUXURY Luxury Model 1 1 A Y R
40 TABLE Add-On Table 1 1 A N R
+
F2=Command F3=Exit F4=Prompt F7=Header
F9=Inquiry F10=Function Select F15=Rekey Data
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The Sales Order Screen Rule Maintenance Detail Screen.
As the previous figure shows, we defined several promptable fields on our Desk Option Select Screen. For each field, options and default values may be specified as well as the type of the field. Each field appears on the screen in sequence number order. Note that we did not define an option for selecting the standard model. We only defined an option for the luxury model, and if the luxury model is not selected, we will assume that the standard model will be manufactured. However, a standard option may be defined. See below for an example of the screen generated by these rules.
WILLIAMS PLT BEL EXPERT CONFIGURATOR 3/03/92
DSP01 LUXURY DESK ORDER SELECTION OPTIONS
Order Number 000199 00 Line Number 002
Part Number DESK-001 BUILD-THRU/CFG DESK
Order Qty 1.000 UM EA
Part in Configuration DESK-001 Seq 00 BUILD-THRU/CFG DESK
Stockholm Model N
London Model Y
2.0m x 0.8m N
3.0m x 0.8m N
3.0m x 1.0m Y
Color BLACK
Luxury Model Y
Add-On Table N
F3=Exit F4=Prompt F15=Rekey Data
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The Expert Configurator Order Selection Screen Generated by the Previous
Screen Generation Rules.
Note that the length of each field on the order entry screen corresponds to the number entered in the OPT column of the screen generation rules. If a field contains a default value as specified in the generation rules, it appears in the field on the order entry screen. Also note that an R entered in the category type column (Cat Typ) of the generation rules requires a yes (Y) or no (N) response on the order entry screen.
Validating Configured Screens
After items are selected on the option select screen, they may be validated through the use of screen validation rules. Based on our product description, there are 12 invalid combinations-- those that include the color natural light with the luxury version or the color cedar with the standard version. The Expert Configurator allows us to define rules to exclude these combinations.
To validate that cedar is only available in the luxury model of the desk, we create a rule written:
((O-LUXURY,EQ,"N"),&,(O-COLOR,EQ,"CEDAR"))
Translated, this rule means if the luxury desk option (O-LUXURY) is (EQ) not ("N") chosen on the sales order option select screen, and the color (O-COLOR) chosen is (EQ) cedar ("CEDAR"), then display an error message. See below for a sample of this validation rule.
WILLIAMS PLT BEL EXPERT CONFIGURATOR 3/03/92
DSP01 SALES ORDER RULE MAINTENANCE DETAIL
SCREEN VALIDATION
Rule Number 00105 01 Part Number DESK-100 Action Code SV Vers 01
Condition
((O-LUXURY,EQ,"N"),&,(O-COLOR,EQ,"CEDAR"))
ERROR MESSAGE
CEDAR IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE LUXURY MODEL
F2=Command F3=Exit F7=Header F9=Inquiry
F10=Function Select F15=Rekey Data
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The Sales Order Rule Maintenance Screen Validation Detail Screen.
To validate that natural light is only available in the standard model, we create a rule written:
((O-LUXURY,EQ,"Y"),&,(O-COLOR,EQ,"NATURAL LIGHT"))
Translated, this rule means if the luxury desk option is chosen and NATURAL LIGHT is entered in the color field, display an error message. We use the luxury option again here since we did not define an option for the standard model.