Behind a custom product, there are often hundreds, or even thousands, of different product configuration options. As products become more customized, configuration complexity increases. Complex configurations are difficult to manage with traditional manufacturing processes where product options, designs, and quotes are handled manually.
DriveWorks simplifies complex configuration by capturing product rules, automating processes, and enabling consistency between sales, engineering, and production. DriveWorks design automation, 3D product configurator, and CPQ solutions enable manufacturers to streamline configuration, automate repetitive tasks, and scale the production of custom products efficiently.
Why do complex configurations become difficult to manage?
Manufacturers of custom products often need to manage:
- Hundreds or thousands of product variations
- Configuration rules
- Design requirements and approvals
- Complex price lists
- Inconsistency between sales, engineering, and production teams
As complexity increases, so does the risk of delays, bottlenecks, errors, and rework.
How DriveWorks simplifies complex configuration
DriveWorks enables manufacturers to simplify complex configurations by capturing product rules, engineering know-how, and design logic. The captured knowledge is applied automatically to guide users through configuration decisions, validate selections, and generate sales and manufacturing documents, including quotes, SOLIDWORKS drawings, BOMs, cut lists, etc.
Capture product rules and logic
DriveWorks stores product and design rules, compliance requirements, and engineering logic in a central location, so that knowledge is available business-wide, rather than relying on individual employees.
Guide users through configuration
Rules-based technology, often described as guided selling, guides users through configuration choices, ensuring only valid options and combinations are selected. This simplifies configuration of even the most complex products and reduces the risk of errors.
Automate repetitive processes
DriveWorks automates repetitive tasks, creating designs, generating sales and manufacturing documents, and streamlining approvals and workflows. This reduces manual effort and streamlines processes.
Connect Sales, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams
DriveWorks connects teams by ensuring everyone works from the same product rules and follows the same processes. Instead of passing data manually between teams, DriveWorks automates and connects the different stages of the sales, design, and manufacturing processes.
The benefits of simplified configuration
Accelerate response times
DriveWorks enables sales teams to easily configure products, calculate accurate pricing, and generate proposals in real time. Faster response times lead to improved customer experience and increased sales.
Reduce errors and improve accuracy
DriveWorks uses rules-based design logic to configure custom products and automatically generates designs, removing the reliance on checklists and spreadsheets. This reduces the risk of human error and rework associated with inaccurate designs.
Improve efficiency across teams
DriveWorks removes bottlenecks in sales and engineering teams by simplifying and accelerating the configuration and design processes. Automated workflows reduce dependency on manual intervention and enable teams to work together more efficiently.
Scale without adding complexity
DriveWorks rules-based technology enables businesses to scale effectively without additional complexity. Teams can handle increased inquiries and order volumes without creating bottlenecks.
Frequently asked questions about simplifying complex configurations
What are complex configurations?
Complex product configurations are products with multiple options, dimensions, features, or dependencies that create thousands or even millions of possible combinations.
How can manufacturers simplify complex configurations?
Manufacturers can simplify complex configurations by capturing product knowledge, automating workflows, and using rules-based technology to guide users through valid configuration choices.
Can sales teams configure products without engineering support?
Yes. When product engineering rules and knowledge are captured in DriveWorks, sales teams can create accurate configurations independently.
How does configuration technology improve customer experience?
Customers receive faster responses, accurate quotes, and have greater confidence that the configuration matches their specific requirements.
How can manufacturers scale custom product sales without increasing complexity?
By automating repetitive processes and streamlining workflows, manufacturers can handle a wider product range and increased sales without significantly increasing workloads or complexity.
Key takeaways
- Complex configurations can slow sales cycles, increase engineering workload, and cause errors and rework.
- Capturing product knowledge and rules helps manufacturers standardize processes and improve design consistency.
- Rules-based configuration and automation reduce errors and ensure only valid product options are selected.
- Automating repetitive tasks enables sales, engineering, and manufacturing teams to work more efficiently.
- Manufacturers can scale custom product sales without increasing resources or complexity at the same rate.
- DriveWorks enables manufacturers to simplify complexity, improve productivity, and deliver custom products faster.
Manufacturers simplifying complex configuration with DriveWorks
Manufacturers across a range of industries all over the world use DriveWorks to simplify complex configuration.
Ödül Madeni Eşya reduced configuration time by 40% and cut design time by 70%.
Monmouth Scientific simplified complex configuration and ensured consistency.
By enabling customers to configure products online, SAFE-T-FAB increased revenue and average order value.
About DriveWorks
DriveWorks design automation, 3D product configurator, and CPQ solutions enable manufacturers of custom products to design and sell customer products faster and with greater accuracy. DriveWorks is sold worldwide and supported locally by authorized resellers in your time zone.