Without a CLM approach integrating configuration capabilities available in different enterprise systems is problematic due to the differences in configuration paradigms used to solve different types of specific configuration problems. When applying a CLM approach to this challenge a configuration management system that is agnostic to the format of rules from different systems interprets the outcome of these rules and translates, enriches and exports these rules to other systems in the organization. • The second generation of engines flourished in the 1990s. They are
constraint solvers using
constraint propagation and search techniques developed in the Artificial Intelligence domain. They are the dominant technology still in use commercially. An overview can be found in Knowledge-Based Configuration – From Research to Business Cases. • The third generation of engines have arrived after 2000. They use a
compiled approach in which the full solution space is represented in a compact format. They were pioneered by Array Technology (a spin-off from Beologic) and Configit.
Phases in the Configuration Lifecycle Behind the seemingly simple process of configuring and ordering a configurable product, such as a car, lie several business processes of which configuration is an essential part:
Develop When developing a new product that is designed to be customized, allowable variants and options must be defined.
Price Pricing of customizable products must account for market acceptability and costs based on calculations of all the possible configurations
Market Market demands and local regulation are expressed as rules enabling enterprises to meet demands in a global market
Sell Customizing to the specific wants and needs of the individual customer resulting in a valid order to be fed into downstream systems
Sources Parts and assemblies from sub-suppliers are sourced to fit in the sequence of the assembly line.
Build The configuration determines how the product is built. Invalid configurations can cause the production line to stop and erroneous products, placing a huge importance on eliminating errors before this phase.
Maintain/Service/Operate The phase of the lifecycle known in e.g. Automotive as
aftermarket. In CLM the configuration of the product is updated, elements and components are replaced in a way that ensures that these activities are compliant with the configuration.
Dispose Once the product has reached end of life and is to be disposed, depending on the materials used in the product, disposal requirements may apply. These requirements are usually reflected by laws (e.g.
REACH). In order to enable disposal of the product in conformance to these disposal requirements, the composition of the product must be documented, available and up to date - i.e. the complete configuration lifecycle information must be available. == Mass Customization ==