Service/Product Configuration Applications: Redevelopment & Migration Considerations

  Product Configurator Application forms a vital link in the automation process of “To Order” type of industries. Most such organisations today have some form of Configuration system in place and wish to move to a newer and better Configurator – either to be developed in-house or a third party product implementation. While working with customers who have migrated their existing Product Configurator to new systems, we have observed some common challenges. Anyone who wishes to embark on this journey will benefit if these challenges are addressed in the early stages of the redevelopment program.

Configurator: Authoring the Engineering Deliverable

In any enterprise, engineering deliverables are created by teams from different functions working within the framework of defined constraints and rules. A configurator can automate the creation of these engineering deliverables.

Kanban sizing for Customization- The Lean Way

Wikipedia defines lean manufacturing as “The process of implementing a smooth flow of manufacturing by removal of wastes in the business processes”. Speed and asset leanness are two necessary but contrasting conditions for achieving lean manufacturing.

Customized product inquiry - Eliminating “Muda”

Demanding customers and increasing competitors are some of the biggest challenges faced by any manufacturer in current business scenarios. Each customer would like to make some variations in the standard product to verify if it matches his unique requirements. At the same time he expects to view the customized product as soon as possible. As per a study done by Giga Information group, the acceptable response time a customer would expect for viewing the result of a modification demand is up to 20 seconds.

Configurator as a Controller

Product Configurator stands at a confluence of Sales, Design engineering and Manufacturing. With this vantage position, it becomes a powerful tool for the management to exercise control over these core/strategic operations while at the same time benefiting all the recipient functions. A real win-win if you can pull it off!

Lean or Mass Customization

Today almost entire manufacturing industry is struggling with growing number of product variants or SKUs in their portfolio. Henry Ford’s mass production appears a Stone Age technique. At the same time expectations to deliver the customized products quickly at competitive prices are increasing. Traditional way of managing and selling products i.e. unique numbering at end-item level can no more deliver desired efficiencies.
Hence, Lean customization is way forward.