Model Once - Configure Anywhere: Digital end-to-end configuration

Today, variant manufacturers, regardless of industry and size, must align their product and model range with the wishes of B2C and B2B customers and, in view of the volatile economic situation, constantly increase productivity and reduce costs in order to remain competitive.

This requires consistent digitalization of business processes, especially in product configuration. It is considered a core ERP process in the SAP environment, as almost all areas work with configuration data - product development, sales, purchasing, production, logistics, shipping and finance.

Model Once - Configure Anywhere

Against this backdrop, digital end-to-end configuration with SAP based on a standardized, central data model according to the "Model Once - Configure Anywhere" principle is a key factor for success. This means that all IT systems involved in the configuration process - SAP Advanced Variant Configuration (AVC) in SAP S/4 Hana, SAP CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote), supplementary SAP-BTP-based applications and add-ons or add-ins from SAP partners such as Networker Variant as well as third-party solutions - exclusively use this central data model.
The SAP Variant Configurator (LOVC) in SAP ERP is only suitable for such an end-to-end scenario with restrictions, as SAP is no longer developing it further. Companies working with it should therefore switch to SAP AVC in good time.

However, setting up an end-to-end configuration - which also includes upstream processes such as the processing of tenders - presents numerous challenges. In order to overcome these, variant manufacturers should bring an experienced consulting and IT partner on board to support them as a "trusted advisor" for all issues. They will find this in Networker Variant, which has a high level of process, technology and methodological expertise in the implementation of an end-to-end configuration with SAP software.

"We are specialists in the implementation of end-to-end configuration projects with SAP and our own solutions, which extend the SAP standard in a practical and user-friendly way. This is a clear added value for our customers," says Michael Neuhaus, CEO of Networker Variant GmbH. The proprietary solutions include an SAP BTP application for maintaining variant tables, a 3D engine with components for 3D visualization and interactive 3D configuration of complex systems as well as an AI solution for accelerated tender processing in sales.

Success factor change processes

The success of a digital end-to-end configuration project also depends on consulting with top management in order to create the necessary understanding for such a project and ensure their unconditional support. A holistic strategy and roadmap for implementation is then developed on this basis. With Marin Ukalovic, Networker Variant has a top expert for variant configuration with SAP in its ranks, who can efficiently support customers with his comprehensive know-how in the field of management and strategy consulting.

For such a project to succeed, active change management is also required, as this is not just an IT project, but always a business project as well.

Conference for variant manufacturers

On May 14 and 15, 2025, two days at SAP in St. Leon-Rot will be dedicated to variant configuration with all its facets, challenges and technological innovations. Specialist presentations, practical examples and discussion panels will offer participants the opportunity to find out about new technological approaches and exchange ideas with experts from the industry. One item on the program is the contribution from Networker Variant, which will demonstrate the practical use of a consistent variant configuration. The intralogistics company Jungheinrich will be used as an example to illustrate how the transformation to SAP AVC (Advanced Variant Configuration), the introduction of an integrated data model and the use of SAP CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) were implemented in practice.

konferenz-variantenfertiger.de

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