Custom Products Manufacturing and Configuration Technologies using Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
Editor's Note: During January, Dr. Scott Hamilton has published a series of deep-dive articles about different aspects of S&OP for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 in his column The AX Solution Architect. The first three parts, on sales order delivery promises, demand forecasts, and forecasting stocked components, were published earlier this month.
The nature of custom product manufacturing scenarios can differ significantly, ranging from the simple to complex and from single- to multi-level product structures. Each ERP system provides different solution approaches to these scenarios, and within Microsoft Dynamics AX, there are several standard solution approaches which have evolved over time. The Dynamics AX platform also lends itself well to additional solution approaches from independent software vendors (ISVs) or from customizations.
Many of the scenarios in custom product manufacturing can benefit from a solution approach employing a configuration technology. The benefits include simplifying the definition of product structure information, reducing the need for engineering expertise, speeding up the process for quotations, sales orders, and production, and improved customer service.
This article summarizes the various configuration technologies within Dynamics AX 2012, and illustrates an additional option from an ISV. It includes several case studies and also describes modular bills of material (BOMs) to support configure-to-order production strategies. These topics are reflected in the following sections.
- Variations of the Configuration Technology
- Constraint-Based Configuration Technology
- Rules-Based Configuration Technology
- Dimension-Based Configuration Technology (aka Bill of Options Approach)
- ISV Configuration Technology: BuyDesign from TDCI
-
Predefined Variant
Configuration Technology
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Scott Hamilton has consulted globally with several hundred manufacturing/distribution companies on SCM and ERP issues. His publications include multiple books about SCM using Dynamics 365FO/AX, two textbooks about SCM/ERP, and 100+ articles in MSDynamicsWorld.com. Scott has been a frequent speaker at Microsoft and user group conferences around the world, and a 10-time winner of the rarely given Microsoft MVP award.
