Product Configurator

Note! This manual is developed for MKG004 software. If you are using MKG5, the description of the operation may differ slightly from your environment. We aim to provide a product-specific description for this topic in the future.

A sales order receives a certain number of parameters, which are used to create a production order via a bill of materials. First, parameters need to be created, such as 'Color', which can then be used in a bill of materials.

To set up a product, parameters must first be created (process table 'Parameters'). Then, the bill of materials can be built with formulas. In the Administration settings, no settings need to be entered for the operation, except that you choose a color for the formula fields.

Parameters

Parameters can be created at your discretion. A parameter code of up to 20 characters and a description must be entered. Each parameter can have a type set.

• Parameter code. A unique code for defining a parameter.
• Description. The description of the parameter.
• Type. The type of the parameter can consist of the following settings:
• Text
• Dropdown list
• Dropdown list pair
• Date
• Number
• Yes/No
• Length. The maximum length of the parameter field (0 = undefined):
• Decimals. How many decimals the parameter field consists of (only for type 'Number').
• Negative. Can it be negative, yes or no (only for type 'Number').
• Default value. Allows a default value to be assigned to a parameter field.
• Unit label. Allows a unit label to be assigned to a parameter field (this is a text field intended as a label).
• Centrally adjustable. Should this be a centrally adjustable field, so it can be entered or adjusted in the header of the sales quotation or sales order.
• Mandatory. Is it a mandatory field.

If a parameter is in use and it is adjusted, this message may appear: "This adjustment may cause problems because this parameter is in use." This message appears if a number is reduced, or if a choice is removed.

Parameter Groups

Linking Parameters to Product Groups

To get a good overview of the various parameters, they can be divided into groups. Parameters can be divided into more than one group. The linking can be done in two ways:

• Add parameters to groups:

• Link groups to parameters:

Building a Bill of Materials with Parameters

Once the parameters are created, they can be used in a bill of materials. The parameters used can then be entered in the sales quotation or sales order (see Sales Order Management). With the parameters, semi-finished products, material rules, and operations can be controlled.

Adding Parameters

Select the parameters needed for the bill of materials to be built and provide a default value if necessary.

• Parameter code. Enter the parameter needed for this bill of materials.
• Default value. Enter a default value for this bill of materials (not mandatory).
• Order. The order can be used to build the presentation. See the screen below:

Formulas

With formulas, dependencies can be built for composing a calculation or production order. The formula determines what is included or how a calculation/production order is composed. To enter a formula, the semi-finished product, material, or operation must first be opened. Then select the field where a formula should be created. See the screen below:

In the 'Edit' screen of the material rule, a formula can be entered. With the Formula button the 'Formulas' screen is opened:

If a formula is created on a field, the background of the field turns yellow. This color can be adjusted in the Administration settings:

Formulas can be defined not only for semi-finished products but also for material rules and for operation rules.

Material Rules

• Color. Is the parameter itself.
• White. Is the content of the parameter.

Operations

Insert:

• Parameter. With this button, a choice can be made from a parameter of this bill of materials.
• Production quantity. With this button, the 'Production quantity' function can be added.
• Comment. With this button, a comment can be inserted. The text added must always be between */ comment /*. The text will then not be read as a command.

Others:

• Test formula. With this button, the function can be tested for correctness. During testing, the parameters can be specified. Different values can be tested. See the screen below:

• Excel functions. With this button, you are linked to a Microsoft Office 2010 website to consult the various functions.

The Excel functions are in English and must also be used as such when building the formulas. A general rule for formulas is that if a function is used, the rule must begin with an equals sign ("="), such as =IF(condition,true,false). When passing a value, this is not necessary. For example: filling description rules with a parameter text: [parameter].

Example of a Product with Parameters

A company manufactures ready-made windows with a steel frame, including two hinges, powder-coated in a specified color. Additionally, one can choose from three different types of locks. If the height of the window is greater than 750 mm, three hinges must be used instead of two.

Parameters

1. Height (a number in mm).
2. Width (a number in mm).
3. Type of lock (a dropdown list with three different types).
4. Hinge (a dropdown list with a choice of left and right).
5. Color (a dropdown list with a choice of four different colors).

Construction of the Bill of Materials

Final Product: Article "Window"

• Material
• Lock type 1. Parameter dependent.
• Formula: include material: =[Type of lock]="Type1"
• Lock type 2. Parameter dependent.
• Formula: include material: =[Type of lock]="Type2"
• Lock type 3. Parameter dependent.
• Formula: include material: =[Type of lock]="Type3"
• Operation
• Assembly. Fixed time.

Semi-finished Product 1: Description "Frame"

• Material
• UNP 30 profile. For height, parameter dependent.
• Formula: Length field: =[Height]
• UNP 30 profile. For width, parameter dependent.
• Formula: Length field: =[Width]
• Operation
• Sawing. Fixed time.
• Powder coating (outsourcing). Parameter dependent.
• Formula: external memo field: Color: [Color]

Semi-finished Product 2: Description "Hinge"

• Formula: Description field: Hinge: [Hinge]
• Formula: memo field: =IF ([Height] >750, "For a height above 750 mm, three hinges","")
• Material

• Left hinge (article). Parameter dependent.
• Formula: Include material: =[Hinge] = "left"
• Formula: Quantity field: =IF ([Height] > 750, 3,2)
• Right hinge (article). Parameter dependent.
• Formula: Include material: =[Hinge] = "left"
• Formula: Quantity field: =IF ([Height] > 750, 3,2)
• Operation

• Assembly. Parameter dependent.
• Formula: Operation time field: =IF ([Height] > 750, (30*60*[PRODUCTION_QUANTITY]),(20*60*[PRODUCTION_QUANTITY]))

Construction of the Formulas

1. Material Rules Final Product (Window). Under the final product "Window", a "Lock" must be added. This lock is inserted as an article in the bill of materials. There are three types of locks. Depending on the chosen parameter, "Lock type 1, 2 or 3" must be added as a material article in the production order. We will then work with 'Include material'. Three material rules are included in the bill of materials, of which one is carried through in a production order. Formula: Include material: [Type of lock]=Type1. If parameter [Type of lock] is equal to the choice "Type1", then article "Lock type 1" is chosen.
2. Length U-profile Semi-finished Product 1 (Frame). For the semi-finished product "Frame", rod material must be purchased with a length. This length depends on the parameter [Height]. Formula: Length field: [Height]. The length of the rod material is filled with the content of the parameter [Height].
3. Memo Field Outsourcing Semi-finished Product 1 (Frame). The frame must still be powder-coated in a color. The 'Color' is a parameter and it must be passed through a memo field to the purchase order. Formula: External memo field: Color: [Color]. Fill the external memo field with the text "Color:" plus the content of the parameter [Color].
4. Semi-finished Product 2 (Hinge). Under the semi-finished product "Hinge", a text must be filled if the height of the frame exceeds 750 mm. Formula: Memo: =IF ([Height] >750, "For a height above 750 mm, three hinges",""); Formula: Quantity: =IF ([Height] >750, 3 , 2). If the content of the parameter [Height] is greater than 750, then fill the memo field with the text: "For a height above 750 mm, three hinges." If it is less than 750, then no text.

Adjusting Description Rules Based on a Parameter

When creating a sales quotation or a sales order, the description rule can be automatically adjusted based on a parameter. In our example, the color can be directly included in the description. When building a bill of materials, a text and a parameter must be included in the final product for the item 'Sales Description'.

Window color: [Color]

Since no function is used, but only text and a parameter, there is no need for an "=" sign for the formula.

Working with References and Parameters

In a bill of materials, references can be used. If parameters are used, they must be passed on to the reference. It is not mandatory to use parameters for the final product.

• In the bill of materials of the reference, the parameters used must first be entered. A formula can then be built.
• Back at the final product, a formula must be created on the semi-finished product of the reference for the item 'Reference' [Height]; Height. See the screen below:

Examples of Formula Fields

A function must always begin with an equals sign, "=". With the ampersand, "&", more functions can be concatenated:

• =IF(condition,true,false). Indicates 'true' for 'true' and 'false' for 'not true'. For example: IF([HEIGHT]=[WIDTH]),"square","rectangular").
• =Left([parameter],number of characters). Displays the number of characters of the parameter content from the left side.
• =Right([parameter],number of characters). Displays the number of characters of the parameter content from the right side.
• =FIND(character,[parameter]). Returns the number of positions of the character of the parameter content.
• =MID([parameter],start,length). Returns a number of characters from a position with a length.
• OR.
• AND.
• CONCATENATE([parameter1,parameter2]). Concatenate text: text1 + text2 + text3.

Examples: Sales Quotation and Sales Order

Sales Quotation

When creating a sales quotation based on an article, parameters become available that are entered in a bill of materials. The content of these parameters can be entered in the quotation. Based on these parameters, a calculation is set up.

The process handling has not changed, the calculation must be completed, and the quotation must be offered. The parameters will appear on the quotation. See the following screen:

Sales Order

When creating a sales order based on an article, parameters become available that are entered in a bill of materials. The content of these parameters can be entered in the order. Based on these parameters, a production is set up:

When using multiple lines in a sales order, centrally adjustable parameters can be assigned the same content to all lines:

Articles and Bills of Materials: Index