With product configurator software, companies can customize products for each customer. The software supports multiple areas—from creating quotes to simplifying the ordering of products with many variants, all the way to impressive product presentation.
With the ongoing digitalization of business models, B2B relationships are also becoming more demanding. In particular, expectations regarding the customization of products and services are increasing. Companies must respond efficiently, which is only possible with modern and high-performance IT systems.
Discover the product configuration solution from Viamedici.
Key Facts at a Glance
- A product configurator is a software solution that enables the creation of customized products by selecting different features and options.
- HCA stands for Headless Configuration API, a standard interface to Viamedici’s high-performance configuration backend, which can be integrated into any configurator frontend.
- Product configurator software helps companies improve customer satisfaction, conserve resources, and increase sales and revenue.
- Product configurators are suitable for companies offering tailored or customizable products where customers have multiple options to design the product according to their preferences and needs.
- A distinction is made between cosmetic, functional, and parametric configurators.
What is a product configurator?
A product configurator is software that enables individually customized products. Customers select desired features and options with the help of the software. A product configurator is either integrated into an ERP system or available as a standalone software solution. Using the configurator, users can assemble the desired product variant from a wide range of features and rule-based dependencies—resulting in a tailored product.
A product configurator benefits companies by automatically generating all possible product variations. At the same time, end customers benefit by being able to customize the product.
Product configurators are used in various industries, such as mechanical engineering, automotive, furniture, and apparel.
In everyday language, there are many synonyms for “product configurator,” which essentially refer to the same concept, although the software implementation may differ.
Some possible terms include:
- Variant configurator
- Sales configurator
- Quote configurator
- CPQ solution (Configure-Price-Quote)
- ERP configurator
- 3D configurator
What does Headless Configuration API (HCA) mean?
Viamedici’s concept for configuration solutions: serving any web frontend via a standard interface.
Headless: Means without a frontend. The user interface of the configurator is created by the customer or their web agency.
Configuration: The configuration logic is provided by the high-performance Viamedici Configuration Engine.
API: Application Programming Interface – the configuration logic is made available to a web client via a standard interface.
What advantages does a product configurator offer?
The advantages of product configurator software are diverse and depend on its use case.
In general, it helps companies improve customer satisfaction, conserve resources, and increase sales and revenue.
If you would like to learn more advantages, feel free to contact one of our product configurator experts.
Who is a product configurator for and where is it used?
A product configurator is particularly useful for products with many variants—whether in B2B or B2C models. There are essentially two areas of application:
Consumer goods
Product configurators are used almost everywhere today: whether for workplaces or living spaces, cars, boats, gaming computers, or furniture—almost all products can be customized.
Capital goods
There are also many applications for configurators in capital goods, such as customized industrial machines, building components like windows, doors, or facades, or configurable control systems in electrical engineering.
The advantages are clear: higher efficiency in producing customized products, improved customer loyalty through greater flexibility, fewer ordering errors, and more agile sales. Companies can respond more flexibly to customer requirements and become more competitive and innovative.
How do product configurators differ?
There are essentially three types of product configuration: cosmetic, functional, and parametric.
The difference lies in the type of product. A static product consists of elements that customers can arrange individually. A parametric product has freely selectable dimensions and can therefore be customized more extensively.
What types of product configurators are there?
Product configurators can also be categorized by type:
Select-to-order (STO)
Allows users to create a customized product from predefined options. It is easy to implement and suitable for limited variants.
Applications: retail or manufacturing of standard products with limited customization.
Pick-to-order (PTO)
Allows full customization from scratch. Customers choose from numerous options such as materials, colors, sizes, or functions. More complex and flexible.
Applications: mechanical engineering, automotive, aerospace.
Configure-to-order (CTO)
Enables customization using standard components and options. Offers more flexibility than STO and allows automation of customized production.
Applications: automotive industry (e.g., configuring vehicles with engines, interiors, etc.).
Assemble-to-order (ATO)
Products are assembled from pre-manufactured components. Faster response to customer orders compared to fully custom production.
Applications: manufacturing, especially automotive, electronics, aerospace.
Make-to-order (MTO)
Products are manufactured only after an order is received. Customers configure products based on options, and production follows accordingly.
Suitable for companies with broad product ranges and high flexibility needs.
Engineer-to-order (ETO)
Specialized for highly complex products such as aircraft, ships, or specialized machinery. Each product is engineered individually.
Includes functions like design, cost calculation, and project monitoring.
How does a product configurator work and what must it do?
Different configurators can vary significantly in functionality depending on factors such as ERP integration or standalone use.
For example, the Viamedici Dynamic Product Configurator is integrated into its Enterprise PIM system, allowing access to product data, images, animations, and relationships—supporting the configuration process optimally.
Core functions remain consistent: product data is entered, rules are defined, and the configurator generates product variations. At the end of the process, both the operator and the customer see the configured product, including pricing.
What does a product configurator cost?
As with most software solutions, there is no fixed price. Costs depend on variables such as project size, functionality, and complexity.
For an estimate, you can contact one of our experts. In a free demo session, your requirements will be analyzed, and the best solution will be identified.
Conclusion: Product Configurator
A product configurator is software for creating customized products by selecting various features and options.
Its main benefits include improved customer satisfaction, increased efficiency, and resource optimization. Ultimately, it helps increase revenue.
For further questions, our configurator experts are happy to assist.
