CUSTOM CONFIGURATOR
Now create custom-configured Sales Orders based on pre-defined rules templates
Without specialized tools, salespeople cannot be expected to assemble all the right components. Worse still, they cannot quote the correct prices.
MISys solves this problem with the introduction of Custom Configurator, a rules-based configuration tool designed to look just like, work just like, and integrate seamlessly with Accpac ERP Order Entry.
The MISys Custom Configurator was designed to meet the needs of sales organizations that deliver specific variations of a product based on a pre-defined set of configuration options.
Rules-based Configuration
Because a sales order created with the MISys Custom Configurator is constrained to certain pre-defined combinations of components, the program is called a “rules-based configurator.” This means that it maintains a set of rules that dictate which components of the order are allowed, required, or excluded.
Anyone who has purchased a new car, or even a personal computer, has experienced rules-based configuration. “If you want leather seats, you must have the ‘Comfort Group’ which includes heated mirrors and pneumatic cup-holders.” Or, “if you want a CD-ROM and a DVD drive, you need a 200-watt power supply, but you cannot have a ZIP™ drive.”
Configuration Templates
The heart of the MISys Custom Configurator is a Configuration Template. Typically, templates are built by personnel who understand the interdependencies of one component versus another. These interdependencies are expressed as “includes” (if you want component X, you must also have component Y) or “excludes” (if you want component Z, you cannot have component Y).
A second type of template called a “decision template” presents a list of possible options from which one must (or several may) be selected.
The real power of the MISys Custom Configurator lies in the fact that templates can be nested. That is to say, any component of a template can, in fact, be a template itself. As a result, multi-level product structures with simple or complex interdependencies can be maintained quite easily.
No Rule Too Complex
Custom Configurator was designed to be easy to deploy and maintain by implementing a set of simple "include" and "exclude" rules. For many applications, these rule elements are sufficient to describe most component interactions.
However, more complex component interactions can be described using the built-in interface to Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). By referencing custom-written VBA code as a rule element, MISys Custom Configurator offers the ultimate in flexibility. In short, there is no rule too complex for MISys Custom Configurator.
Saved Configurations
Most users interact with the MISys Custom Configurator by creating Configurations, that is, a list of possible options based on the rules established in the underlying templates.
To make it particularly easy to custom-configure a product, MISys presents an exploded-tree view showing all available configuration options. The user simply clicks to check off which options are desired and Custom Configurator instantly populates a Bill of Configuration. Once all the configuration options have been specified, the Bill of Configuration is fully populated with all required material details can be saved for future reference. Such a saved Configuration is always available to create an instant Sales Estimate with up-to-date pricing guaranteed.
Custom Configure Accpac Sales Orders
If MISys Custom Configurator senses the presence of Accpac Order Entry, it allows Configuration Templates to be created using items from the ACCPAC Inventory Control database.
Therefore, configurations can be created based entirely on sales items, a capability which greatly enhances the functionality of Accpac ERP Order Entry and Inventory Control.
With the click of a button, the custom configuration is transferred from the Bill of Configuration to an Accpac Sales Order. Nothing could be simpler.
Link Custom Configurations to Customers
Used in an Order Entry environment, the MISys Custom Configurator integrates seamlessly with Accpac ERP Accounts Receivable to link configurations with customers. Utilizing the integration between Accpac Order Entry and Accpac Accounts Receivable, MISys Custom Configurator insures that accurate sales pricing is established.
Custom Configure MISys Manufacturing Orders
As an added benefit, the MISys Custom Configurator is compatible with the MISys Manufacturing System version as an extra-cost option and can be used with or without Accpac Order Entry. This feature is particularly appealing to assemblers and manufacturers who custom-configure products for their customers.
Create Manufacturing/Sales Combinations
Although a given Configuration Template can be based on manufacturing items from MISys or sales items from Accpac, templates of either type can be combined in a “super template” which represents both manufacturing and sales configuration options.
Download a Free Trial Copy
You are invited to download a free trial copy of MISys Custom Configurator version from this MISys Web site. Use Custom Configurator with your own familiar MISys/Accpac data for a period of 30 days before deciding whether you want to permanently license the software.
Requirements
MISys Custom Configurator requires Accpac ERP System Manager and Accpac ERP Order Entry. The Manufacturing Configurator component of MISys Custom Configurator required the MISys Manufacturing System.
