Experiences from implementing a low cost configurator

Within the last 20 years the context of manufacturing has changed for most manufacturers. Technology has become increasingly sophisticated and globalisation has resulted in growing competition. Both of these factors put an increased strain on profit margins, and hence improved efficiency is needed. As a result of the growing complexity in the supply chain and more sophisticated products, manufacturers all over the world have realized that the bottleneck, in many cases, has moved from transformation of material to the accessibility of knowledge.

As a result there is a large potential in the reduction of the cost of producing the specifications needed for production. Not only are the specifications becoming more complex, but also at the same time the inquiry to order ration is falling. This motivates the search for tools that can help to streamline the specification system and thereby reduce the cost linked to the individual specification.