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Expert Configurator >
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Level of Use
Level of Use
The Expert Configurator replaces traditional product selection, description, pricing and manufacturing configuration logic by using user-defined rules. The module adds user-defined data and logic to the existing data base and programs without having to re-compile any program. The Expert Configurator describes products by creating assembly rules rather than listing all the possible combinations of components and routing steps.
The configurator can be used for any part type that can be sold or produced with the exception of JIT parts. Manufacturing configuration is not allowed for JIT parts, however, JIT components are allowed for configured parts.
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1
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- Purchased Part
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X
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X
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2a
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- Manufactured part (MRP)
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X
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X
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X
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2b
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- Manufactured part (JIT)
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X
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X
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3
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- Raw Material
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X
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X
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4
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- Planning Part
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5
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- Reference part
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X
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X
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6a
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- Build-thru part (MRP)
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X
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X
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X
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6b
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- Build-thru part (JIT)
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X
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X
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7
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- Non standard part
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X
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X
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Part Types and the Expert Configurator Rule Types Allowed for Each.
For each allowed part-type/rule-type combination, users have the option to specify if they want to use configuration or not. Choices will give the following results:
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No
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No
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Standard Sales/Manufacturing logic
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No
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Yes
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Configured manufacturing logic. No sales options are available. If rules are used to generate component requirements and labor requirement data other than options must be used. (i.e. internal variables) The configurator creates a link between the sales order line and the manufacturing order header. The sales order line number and the associated manufacturing order number appears on the Options File. Note that items cannot be purchased if sales configuration is not used.
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Yes
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No
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Standard manufacturing logic, with a user-defined selection and pricing logic.
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Yes
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Yes
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Configured manufacturing and user-defined options and pricing logic.
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Sales and Pricing Rules Vs. Manufacturing Rules.
Case 1
If you wanted to price the product differently, for example add a charge for delivery, he or she would also create pricing rules to compute the sales price. In this case, sales order entry and pricing rules are specified and executed without specifying manufacturing rules.
Case 2
In an assemble-to-order and make-to-order environment, the Expert Configurator can be used to generate manufacturing orders with components and labor requirements dependent on the sales options specified at order entry time. In this case, sales order entry and manufacturing rules are specified and executed without specifying pricing rules.