Product configuration models overview - Supply Chain Management | Dynamics 365 (2023)

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This article defines terms and concepts that are relevant to product configuration models. Product configuration models let you build a generic product structure that can be used to configure many product variants for a single product.

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Product configuration models are created to represent a generic product structure. After you've set up a product configuration model, you can configure a distinct product variant that has a unique bill of materials (BOM) and a unique route. Product configuration models use both declarative constraints and imperative calculations to handle the relations and limitations between different product variants. You can configure items on sales orders, sales quotations, purchase orders, and production orders. The following table describes the table constraint–based terms and concepts.

ComponentsComponents are the main building blocks of a product configuration model. Components are displayed in a tree structure on the Constraint-based product configuration model details page. Components can contain the following elements:
  • Attributes
  • Constraints
  • Calculations
  • Subcomponents
  • User requirements
  • BOM lines
  • Route operations
AttributesAttributes describe all the features of the product configuration model. You can use attributes to specify the features that can be selected when a distinct product is configured. Attributes are used in constraints and conditions. When attributes are created and added to a product configuration model, the related attribute types are referenced. A default value can be set for an attribute. The default value is used in the configuration user interface (UI) when the product configuration model is configured. You can specify that an attribute is mandatory, read-only, or hidden.
  • Mandatory – A value must be set for the attribute when the product is configured.
  • Read-only – The attribute value is displayed during a configuration session, but it can't be changed.
  • Hidden – The attribute value is included in constraints and conditions, but isn't displayed during a configuration session.
You can also specify a condition for attributes. If the condition is met, a value must be entered for the mandatory attribute. Conditions are expressions that must be met for attributes, BOM lines, and route operations to be included in a product configuration model. Any attribute that is referenced in a condition becomes mandatory. We recommend that you select attributes as mandatory on the Attributes tab. This can make it easier to identify mandatory attributes. Attribute values are an important part of reusing configurations. The system uses attribute values to determine whether a configuration exists that matches the selections that a user made during a configuration session.
Attribute typesAttribute types specify the set of data types for attributes that are used in a product configuration model. The following attribute types are used:
  • Integer with or without a range
  • Decimal
  • Text with or without a fixed list
  • Boolean
If the attribute type is Boolean, Integer with a range, or Text with a fixed list, the set of values is available when a product configuration model is set up. Note: The Product configuration solver recognizes only the following attribute types: Boolean, Text with a fixed list, and Integer with a range. Therefore, only these attribute types can be used in expression constraints and conditions.
ConstraintsConstraints describe the restrictions of the product model configuration. Constraints are used to guarantee that only valid values are selected when a product is being configured. Constraints can be either expression constraints or table constraints:
  • Expression constraints can be used only for the component that they are tied to. The expression constraints for a component can reference attributes of the component's subcomponents. The Product configuration solver is used to solve the constraints, and you must use the solver syntax when you write the constraints. For more information, see the article link about expression constraints and table constraints.
  • Table constraints must be defined before they can be applied to a component in a product configuration model. Table constraints can be either user-defined or system-defined. A user-defined table constraint is a type of matrix that can be used to describe the set of combinations for the attribute values that are defined by attribute types. For example, if speakers are produced, the matrix for a user-defined table constraint might have columns for the speaker finish and grill.
Example Speakers are available in four finishes: Black, Oak, Rosewood, and White. The speakers can have one of three front grills: Black, Metal, or White. The Black finish is available for all grills, but the other finishes are limited to specific grills. The following table shows an example of the information that is displayed on the Allowed combinations tab on the Edit table constraint page.
Cabinet finishFront grill
BlackBlack
BlackMetal
BlackWhite
OakBlack
RosewoodWhite
WhiteBlack
WhiteWhite
A system-defined table constraint represents a mapping between an attribute type and a field in a Supply Chain Management table. A system-defined table constraint dynamically links the attribute type to the field. The link enables the attribute in a product configuration model to reflect the data of the field in the Supply Chain Management table.
CalculationsCalculations represent a supplement to constraints. You can use a calculation to perform arithmetic operations on attributes of the Decimal and Integer types, or logical operations that involve attributes of the Text with a fixed list and Boolean types. A calculation has a target attribute that will hold the result of the calculation expression. The calculation expression is built by using the expression editor.
SubcomponentsSubcomponents reflect the tree structure of the product configuration model. You can use subcomponents to build the structure of the product configuration model. Subcomponents reference existing components. Therefore, subcomponents encourage the reuse of components in multiple product configuration models. On the BOM line details page for a subcomponent, you can select a distinct value for the subcomponent. Alternatively, you can select an attribute that the value is selected for when the product configuration model is set up. To include a product as a component or subcomponent, you must specify the following information on the Create product page when you create the product:
  • In the Product type field, select Item.
  • In the Product subtype field, select Product master.
  • In the Configuration technology field, select Constraint-based configuration.
You can view whether a released product can be used as a component or subcomponent on the General tab of the Released product details page. If Constraint-based configuration is selected in the Configuration technology field, the product can be used as a component or subcomponent. You can hide subcomponents so that they aren't displayed to the user during a configuration session. Attributes, subcomponents, and user requirements that are related to the subcomponent are also hidden.
User requirementsUser requirements represent an abstraction between user requirements and specific components and attributes. You can't map a user requirement to an item. For example, a customer is shopping for a home theater system. The sales representative might ask about the size of the room where the customer plans to install the system, to determine how many watts are required. In this example, the room size can be a user requirement that helps determine the appropriate attribute value for a specific component. You can hide user requirements so that they aren't displayed to the user during a configuration session. Attributes, subcomponents, and user requirements that are related to the user requirement are also hidden. You can write a condition to control whether a user requirement can be hidden. You must write the condition by using Optimization Modeling Language (OML) syntax.
BOM linesBOM lines represent the individual materials of the components in the product configuration model. On the BOM line details page, all items are available for selection. A condition can be added to the BOM line, so that the BOM lines that are selected for a distinct product variant can vary, based on the user's selection when the product configuration model is set up. Conditions are expressions that must be met for attributes, BOM lines, and route operations to be included in a product configuration model. On the BOM line details page, you can select a distinct value. Alternatively, you can map to an attribute that the value is selected for when the product configuration model is set up.
Route operationsOn the Route operation details page, you can select a distinct value. Alternatively, you can map to an attribute that the value is selected for when the product configuration model is set up. Conditions are written like expression constraints. Conditions are expressions that must be met for attributes, BOM lines, and route operations to be included in a product configuration model.

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FAQs

Which three modules are included in dynamics 365 supply chain management? ›

  • Marketing & Sales.
  • Service.
  • Commerce.
  • Supply chain.
  • Finance.

How do you create a product configuration model? ›

Create a product model
  1. Go to Product information management > Products > Product configuration models.
  2. Select New.
  3. In the Name field, type a value.
  4. In the Description field, type a value.
  5. In the Solver strategy field, select an option. ...
  6. In the Name field, type a value. ...
  7. Select OK.
Sep 29, 2021

Is Dynamics 365 supply chain management a model driven app? ›

The Dynamics 365 platform is itself a model-driven Power App. The out-of-the-box D365 Sales Hub, Service Hub, and Marketing apps are useful out-of-the-box additions to a customer solution. But implementing a streamlined model-driven app for a specific user group has amazing benefits!

What is configuration in D365? ›

Configuration is practically the structure and administration of the system. In Microsoft Dynamics 365, configuration is essential for improving the UI design, field settings, security, business rules, use of options and features, and more.

What are the 3 main flow of supply chain management? ›

There are three types of main flows that happen in any supply chains: flow of materials/goods, flow of money/cash, and flow of information.

What are the three 3 components that needs to be manage in supply chains? ›

Generally the key aspects of Supply Chain management are Purchasing (sourcing), Planning (scheduling) and Logistics (delivery). Sometimes logistics is separate, and procurement may be included with Purchasing, depending upon how location specific the procurement activities are.

What are the major features of product configuration? ›

Here are some essential features for product configuration:
  • Regulations. Product configuration means customization. ...
  • Other Constraints and Dependencies. Constraints and dependencies are huge factors in manufacturing complex machines. ...
  • Module Selection. ...
  • Visualization. ...
  • Multiple Languages. ...
  • Pricing. ...
  • Customer experience is key.
Nov 12, 2014

What is product configuration process? ›

Product Configuration is the function of selecting and arranging parts in a combination that can be produced and delivered to fulfill a specific customer request. Product Configuration can be performed manually by a salesperson or a sales engineer or automatically by a software solution.

What is product configuration management? ›

Product configuration management is software that enables businesses to sell and process orders for configurable, multi-option, and customizable products and services, in an efficient way. It's used by product engineers and is integrated with the data management environment across the lifecycle of a product.

Which two modules are included in Dynamics 365 supply chain management? ›

Supply chain management configuration and processing. The transportation management features, and the warehouse management features.

What are models in Dynamics 365? ›

A model is a group of elements, such as metadata and source files, that typically constitute a distributable software solution and includes customizations of an existing solution. A model is a design-time concept, for example a warehouse management model or a project accounting model.

Which model is used for supply chain management? ›

The fast chain model is one of the new names in supply chain strategies. It is suitable for businesses that have product lines with short life cycles.

What is the purpose of configuration? ›

Configuration management is a process for maintaining computer systems, servers, and software in a desired, consistent state. It's a way to make sure that a system performs as it's expected to as changes are made over time.

What is the difference between Customisation and configuration in Dynamics 365? ›

Configuration of Dynamics involves altering an out-of-the-box Dynamics solution. On the other hand, customizing Dynamics means developing new solutions that alter or do a particular task better than the original software. Sometimes customizations will require development from scratch using coding.

What is the difference between customization and configuration in Dynamics 365? ›

Customize is defined as “modify to suit a particular individual or task”. Configure is defined as “arrange or order so as to fit it for a designated task”.

What are the 4 P's of supply chain management? ›

Jerome McCarthy around the four P's, i.e., Product, Price Place and Promotion. (Perrault, McCarthy, Cannon) It is important for Marketing Managers to know, understand and manage these four P's.

What are the four 4 main elements of a supply chain? ›

Integration, operations, purchasing and distribution are the four elements of the supply chain that work together to establish a path to competition that is both cost-effective and competitive.

What are the four 4 stages of supply chain? ›

What are the components of your supply chain you should be focusing on right now?
  • INTEGRATION. Integration starts at your strategic planning phase and is critical throughout your communications and information sharing and data analysis and storage. ...
  • OPERATIONS. ...
  • PURCHASING. ...
  • DISTRIBUTION.

What are the 5 basic components of SCM? ›

Supply chain management has five key elements—planning, sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, delivery, and returns.

What are the five 5 basic components of supply chain management? ›

The Top-level of this model has five different processes which are also known as components of Supply Chain Management – Plan, Source, Make, Deliver and Return.

What are the 7 supply chain functions? ›

Supply Chain includes purchasing, manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, customer service, demand planning, supply planning and Supply Chain management.

What are the 3 main areas in Dynamics CRM? ›

The entire Microsoft Dynamics CRM is designed around the following functional modules.
  • Sales.
  • Marketing.
  • Service Management.

What are the modules in supply chain management? ›

Common modules include demand planning, procurement, manufacturing, inventory management, order management and warehouse management (WMS). Each is dedicated to a specific step in the supply chain.

What are the modules in Microsoft Dynamics 365? ›

Dynamics 365 Modules
  • Business Central.
  • Sales.
  • Customer Service.
  • Field Service.
  • Marketing.
  • Project Automation.
  • Finance and Operations.
  • Supply Chain Management.
Jul 29, 2021

What are the 3 common CRM models? ›

Three Common CRM Models

There are a number of CRM models experts have developed as frameworks for how companies manage, read and use customer data. The IDIC model, value chain model and five-step process model are three of the most effective, and therefore popular.

Is Dynamics 365 a CRM or ERP? ›

Dynamics 365 is a cloud and on-premise product suite with functionality covering CRM (front-office) and ERP (back-office). Microsoft's leadership in business technology dates back several decades. But, the history of the CRM and ERP systems begins in the 80s.

What are the 4 pillars of CRM? ›

A successful implementation of CRM is majorly built on four pillars such as workforce, strategy, processes and technology. To design any CRM process we need to consider each of these elements which if ignored, may result in failure of CRM implementation.

What are the six 6 functional elements of supply chain management? ›

6 Critical Elements of Successful Supply Chain Management
  • Flexibility. ...
  • Data. ...
  • Focus On Your End Customer. ...
  • Full Integration. ...
  • Innovation. ...
  • Performance Measurement.

What are the 6 components of supply chain management? ›

CIO, the business magazine from Boston's International Data group, have identified six core components of good SCM: Planning, Sourcing, Making, Delivering, Returning, and Enabling.

How many types of workflows are there in Dynamics 365? ›

Workflow in Dynamics 365 are two types : Asynchronous workflows and Real-time (synchronous) workflows.

Is Dynamics 365 difficult to learn? ›

A lot of users find it easy to use Microsoft Dynamics 365, especially if they have used any other Microsoft apps before.

Is Microsoft Dynamics 365 difficult? ›

It provides a comprehensive suite of tools to help manage workflows, customer relationships, and more. The integration with other Microsoft products is seamless, making it easy to access data and collaborate with colleagues. While Dynamics 365 is a great tool, it can be challenging to learn and understand.

What are the two basic supply chain models? ›

Supply chains tend to fall into one of two broad categories: those that focus on efficiency and those that are responsive. These are broken down further into six categories: Continuous-flow models for mature and stable industries. Fast chain models producing fashion and trendy products with a short lifecycle.

What are two basic supply chain capability models? ›

Supply chain models
  • Continuous flow model -- works best for mature industries with a degree of stability.
  • Agile model -- works best for industries with unpredictable demand and products that are made to order.
  • Fast chain model -- works best for products with a short lifecycle, such as fashion items.

Are the 4 components of supply chain management? ›

Integration, operations, purchasing and distribution are the four elements of the supply chain that work together to establish a path to competition that is both cost-effective and competitive.

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