Product Configurator
The Product Configurator is a central component for dynamic product configuration in Business Central. It enables the automatic generation of Production BOMs, Routings, and Item Variants based on user-defined dimensions such as length, width, and height.
How It Works
The heart of the Product Configurator is the BOM Calculation Template. A BOM Calculation Template contains lines for items, variables with expression-based formulas, properties for user input, and optional matrices for multi-dimensional lookup data. When a user starts the configurator — for example, from a Sales Order or an Item Card — the system evaluates all formulas and generates a complete Production BOM and Routing.
The configurator integrates seamlessly with standard Business Central processes:
- Sales Orders: Configure products directly on a sales line. The system creates the appropriate Item Variant and Production BOM.
- Production Orders: Open the configurator from a production order to review or adjust the configuration.
- Items: Run a test configuration from the Item Card to preview the calculated result.
- Transfer Orders: Launch the configurator from a transfer order line to configure products for inter-location transfers.
Key Concepts
- BOM Calculation Template: The master definition containing lines, formulas, properties, and variables that drive the configuration calculation.
- Properties: User-facing input parameters (e.g., paper quality, surface treatment) that influence the calculation. Properties are selected or entered by the user during configuration.
- Variables: Internal calculation fields with expression-based formulas that reference properties, other variables, and matrices.
- Configurator Layout: Controls which tabs and sections are visible during configuration (Basic, Properties, Drawings, Additional Material, Routing, Summary).
- Configurator Item: An item in Business Central that is linked to a BOM Calculation Template and triggers the configurator when used in a document.