Basics and Advantages of the Product Configurator
The Product Configurator automates the creation of Production BOMs, Routings, and Item Variants through a guided, wizard-style process. Users enter dimensions and properties, and the system evaluates expression-based formulas to calculate material quantities, production steps, and pricing.
How Configuration Works
A configuration follows these stages:
- Basic: The user enters the product dimensions — Length, Width (for 2D and 3D modes), Height (for 3D mode only), and Unit (quantity). These values serve as the foundation for all subsequent calculations.
- Properties: The user selects or enters values for properties defined in the BOM Calculation Template. Properties represent configuration parameters such as material type, surface quality, or finish options.
- Cover: An optional step where the user can specify a cover design.
- Drawings: The user can attach or review drawings associated with the configuration. Drawings can be uploaded via drag-and-drop.
- Additional Material: Additional packing materials can be reviewed and adjusted here. Material quantities are automatically calculated but can be overridden.
- Production Text: Free-text production instructions can be entered or modified using a rich text editor.
- Routing: The calculated routing lines are displayed, showing work centers and operation times.
- Additional Routing: Additional routing steps can be reviewed and adjusted.
- Summary: A complete overview of all calculated BOM lines, including quantities, units of measure, and the dimensional specification (2D or 3D view).
When the user chooses Finish, the system generates the Production BOM, assigns an Item Variant, and links the configuration to the source document.
Configurator Modes
The configurator supports three dimensional modes, controlled by the Configurator Mode setting on the Configurator Layout:
| Mode | Dimensions | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Dimensional | Length only | Linear products such as strips or rolls |
| 2-Dimensional | Length and Width | Flat products such as sheets or boards |
| 3-Dimensional | Length, Width, and Height | Volumetric products such as boxes or containers |
The mode determines which input fields are visible on the Basic tab and which specification view is used on the Summary tab.
Configurator Steps
Each step in the configurator corresponds to a tab in the wizard. The visibility of each tab is controlled by the Configurator Layout. The available steps are:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic | Enter product dimensions and unit quantity |
| Properties | Select or enter configuration properties |
| Cover | Specify cover design (optional) |
| Drawings | Attach or review drawings |
| Additional Material | Review and adjust additional packing materials |
| ProductionText | Enter or edit production instructions |
| Routing | Review calculated routing lines |
| Additional Routing | Review additional routing steps |
| Summary | View the complete calculation result |
Tip
Use the footer bar actions to navigate between steps. Each action corresponds to a tab and is only visible when the tab is enabled in the Configurator Layout.
Integration with Business Central
The Product Configurator integrates with multiple Business Central processes:
- Sales Orders: When a configurator item is entered on a sales line, the user is prompted to start the configurator. Upon completion, the system creates an Item Variant and assigns it to the sales line.
- Production Orders: The configurator can be opened from a production order to review or reconfigure the product.
- Item Card: Run a test configuration directly from the Item Card to verify the template setup.
- Transfer Orders: Configure products for inter-location transfers.
- Item Variants: Reconfigure an existing variant to update its Production BOM.
Note
When opening the configurator from a completed production order or a released sales line with an existing production order, the configurator opens in read-only mode.