What is a product configurator?
People can use a product configurator to ensure that the goods and services they buy are precisely what they need. It lets users pick from several choices to find the best combination for their desired product or service. This tool can be used in many ways, such as making things, making software, working in stores, and more. A product configurator also makes it easier for the customer and the company selling the product or service to talk to each other because it clarifies what is being asked for and helps keep accurate records of the order.
Product configurators are often built into online shopping carts so customers can easily and quickly design their desired goods. Many of them have graphical user screens that make it easy to see the result. The configurator will also generally have interactive tools, like checkboxes and drag-and-drop elements, that let you choose features and options.
Synonyms
- CPQ
- Configurator software
- Product configuration software
Pros of Product Configurator
Product configurators are better than other ways of customizing goods in many ways. For example, they usually need fewer resources than manual methods for setting up products. They also cut down on lead times because orders are made faster and with fewer mistakes because of automated checks that ensure only acceptable combinations of options are accepted.
Here are some of the benefits of product configurators:
An easy-to-use interface
The fact that product configurators are easy to use is one of their best features. Users can change settings or choose which features to include in their goods by using visual cues like swatches or sliders. Customers don’t have to enter data by hand or read long details, which speeds up, simplifies, and makes the process more fun.
Product configurators also help customers feel less confused while shopping by giving precise and detailed descriptions of each choice. Customers can be sure about the goods they want before buying them. Customers can easily find the best product for them in terms of price, features, looks, and performance with the help of product configurators. This makes the customer experience better.
Customization of Products
One of the best things about using a product configurator is that it lets companies offer more customized goods and services. Customers can choose from many different choices and features to make a product specially made for them. This can be especially helpful when making expensive or complicated items like gadgets or cars because it reduces production times and costs while allowing customers to make something unique.
Brings down costs
Product configurators can help companies save money and work more efficiently in several ways. These tools save money and time during the whole process of customizing goods because they let customers make changes in real time, cut down on manual work, and eliminate mistakes that come with doing things by hand. In addition, they let companies make custom pricing models that consider each customer’s unique needs. This makes the market more competitive while still maintaining high standards of quality and service.
It makes things work better.
Multiple parts of a product can be set simultaneously with the help of a product configurator, which can save time. This eliminates the problems when different parts must be made or tried separately before they can be put together in the final design. Product configurators also make it possible to turn around orders faster because designs can be changed quickly based on what the customer wants instead of going through multiple development rounds.
Let only valid product configurations happen.
Product configurators must ensure that the customer’s selection is valid, that the product will work as expected, and that it will be put together correctly. Configurators use rules specific to each product or line of products to ensure that any setups made by customers or sales reps follow the manufacturer’s rules for things like sizes, materials, parts, stock availability, and so on.
In addition to making sure that configurations are valid by using rule-checking protocols and comparing them to design requirements, some product configurators also use 3D rendering technologies like CAD (Computer Aided Design) software or animation programs to show what the configured product would look like when it is put together. That way, customers can better understand what they’re buying before they confirm their order.
Matches up with ERP and Production
Manufacturers can make goods exactly how customers want them by integrating their product catalog, pricing, inventory, and supply chain with product configurators. This makes the quote-to-order process easier. This also makes the production process easier because all the parts are in one place and ready to be assembled.
Businesses can better predict what materials they need based on customer orders and inventory levels when connecting product configurators to an ERP system. For instance, if a customer buys a specific product type, the ERP system can change production schedules and order materials automatically to ensure the items are delivered on time.
Businesses that use a rules-based product configurator
Product configurators are used in many fields because they make designing, making, and customizing goods easier. They are a quick and easy way to make various configurable goods that can be changed to fit the needs of each customer. Product configurators have become popular in many fields because they make it easier for customers and professionals to plan, make, and customize products.
Product configurators are used in many fields, from clothing to aerospace to industrial manufacturing. They make it easy for businesses and their customers to design custom goods quickly, which speeds up the production process. The automotive business is one of the most well-known ones that uses product configurators. Automobile companies use configurators so that customers can make their cars unique by picking out different colors, packages, and extras.
A lot of manufacturing companies use product configurators because customers want more and more personalized goods. For instance, companies that make adjustable furniture use 3D product configurators so that customers can assemble pieces exactly how they want them. Furniture makers can also include pictures of the furniture, like fabric swatches or wood stain samples, so buyers can be sure it will be precisely what they want before it’s even built.
Product configurators are also used in the aerospace business to make custom solutions for aircraft engines and other parts with complicated design needs. With a product configurator, engineers can make detailed 3D models of parts that they can check carefully before production starts. This way, they can ensure the parts will fit perfectly in the application they are making them for.
Trends in Product Configurator
New technologies are always being added to product configuration software to help businesses give customers more unique experiences. Companies can stay competitive in the constantly changing digital world by using new technologies like AI/ML automation, cloud computing integration, and mobile optimization.
The newest trend in product configuration software is to make user interfaces that are easy to understand so that users can customize their goods or services with little work. Companies are also using machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to make tasks more automated. This cuts down on manual work and speeds up the process of customizing products. This helps increase output while ensuring quality is maintained throughout the whole process of making something.
Businesses also consider cloud computing technology a possible addition to their software options for setting up products. Businesses using cloud-based systems can access essential data from anywhere at any time. This lets them make faster choices about customizing products and changing configurations without stopping current operations.
Lastly, increasingly, businesses are using mobile-friendly options that let customers change the details of their goods or services from their phones. This makes customizing easier and more handy and helps businesses reach more potential customers by making customization easier to do on more platforms.
Essential Features of the Product Configurator
Essential parts of product configurators are:
Choices for customization: Product configurators let users make their products unique by choosing specific colors, materials, sizes, styles, features, and more, all based on complicated product rules. This lets them pick the exact product that meets their wants and tastes.
Cost estimation: Many product configurators have cost estimation, also called quoting. These tools let users know how much their customized product will cost before they buy it. Customers can plan their budgets and make better buying decisions with the help of sales quotes.
Visualization tools: To help customers see their final custom design, product configurators often have powerful visualization tools that let them see it in real time as they add different customization choices. This helps ensure that customers get the item they want before buying it.
Checks inventory levels: One of the best things about product setup software is that it helps keep inventory levels in check by tracking how much is being used and sending out alerts when stock needs to be restocked, or orders must be sent out earlier than planned. By stopping stock-outs and overstocks from happening in the future, businesses can meet customer needs more quickly while keeping costs low.
Adding things: Integrations are essential to product setup software because they let different systems share data and give users more ways to customize the software. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, eCommerce platforms, product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, supply chain management (SCM) solutions, product data management (PDM) applications, CAD systems, material requirements planning (MRP) programs, and configure price quote software (CPQ) are all types of software that can work with product configuration software.
How to Pick the Best Software for Product Configuration
Many things should be thought about when choosing product setup software to ensure that it fits the needs of the business. First, consider what kinds of goods and services the company sells and whether it has any unique or complicated needs that might need more than essential product setup tools. Also, consider how the program can grow with your business and customers.
It is essential to look into the companies that give product configuration software and see which has the most features and services. Look for things like the ability to change things, connect to other software like ERP or CRM systems, work on mobile devices, security, and tools for working together. For a reliable product at a fair price, you should also look at pricing models and user comments. Lastly, it’s essential to pick an option with excellent customer service. This includes ways to get technical help with installation and problems and training materials for both users and managers.
