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Documentation > MAC-PAC Reference Library > Distribution > Expert Configurator > Key Concepts and Procedures > 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                        

 

        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    

                                                                               

 

   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                                             

     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.