The manufacturing sector is already a highly competitive industry, and during the past ten years, that level of competition has only increased. The disruption in the supply chain that began in 2020, as well as a skills gap that continues to hinder growth, have both contributed to an increase in the severity of the current labor crisis. To lessen the economic toll that these difficulties wreak over an entire industry, manufacturers need a mechanism to differentiate their products in meaningful ways from those of their rivals.
The availability of alternatives to customize the product and services is one method for accomplishing this goal. Products with a universal fit are simpler to manufacture in huge quantities, but this comes at the expense of losing out on significant money from customers who were hoping to customize their purchases. Product configurators are a unique category of software that is designed to ease the sales process for individualized parts, components, and equipment.
Features To Expect From A Product Configurator
Over the past few years, the popularity of individualized products has led to an explosion in the market for software that configures products. Nevertheless, not all platforms are built the same. Here are some things to keep in mind as you assess the various prospective options.
1. An Itemized List Of The Materials Used
No matter how straightforward a bespoke product may be, it must always have a bill of materials (BOM). It provides a rundown of the various components that, when combined, make up the finished product, as well as the unit prices and total expenditures. To arrive at the most accurate price feasible, a bill of materials (BOM) specifies exactly what is required or expected from consumers, engineers, and other stakeholders involved in the customization process. A 3d product configurator that is worth its salt will produce a full BOM that may be further modified and personalized for use in the process of selling your product.
2. Visual Models
A capable configurator will develop models of an individualized product or customer before they make their ultimate choice. Models eliminate the need to produce physical prototypes and lower the likelihood of having to place expensive modification orders after a product has been fulfilled. In the end, this is what ensures the highest level of client happiness, as well as repeat business from existing customers.
3. CAD Models
In addition to the fundamental computer model of the product, certain configurators also can link with CAD systems, which enables them to generate completely realized 3D mock-ups of the customized product. Your client can examine the product from any vantage point, with nearly the same degree of clarity as if they were holding it in their hands. Customers may more easily offer their full approval of a product before it goes into production with the support of a model that is built to scale, which also provides production staff with clearer recommendations to follow in the processes they use.
4. Safeguards
You will have the ability to implement safeguards that will automatically detect when a customer has product parameters that you are unable to deliver on if the configurator is well-built. In the process of personalization, safeguards play an extremely significant role. These safeguards prevent an impossible order from moving forward in the sales pipeline, which saves both time and money. In addition, protections preserve your integrity by assisting you in identifying customizations that are unfeasible before they enter the production phase of the process. Use this sense of authority to your advantage by directing clients along a more practical path to protect your money stream.
5. Generation Of Professional Estimates In An Easy Manner
In the past, the process of creating a quote could take several days. On a quote sheet, they were frequently hand-written or simply typed up. Occasionally, they were both. You can generate an estimate in a matter of minutes or hours using a configurator because it automates the process of calculating prices. Customers can have quote documents automatically generated for them by the configurator based on all the information they enter.