Product Configuration Systems: State of the Art, Conceptualization and Extensions

Abstract

ABSTRACT- Product configurators are considered to be among the most successful appli-cations of artificial intelligence technology. In this paper, we determine different conceptuali-zations of configurators and condense them in a comprehensive morphological box, which should support configurator designers as well as decision makers in selecting the right sys-tem. The analysis of the criteria according to which configurators that are designed thus far reveals a neglect of the front-end perspective. Therefore, it is relevant to extend configurators with a front-end component assisting customers during product configuration through advi-sory. We develop a framework describing the main requirements on an advisory system and propose the technical infrastructure for its implementation. Finally, the advisory system and the configurator are integrated into a comprehensive interaction system. KEY WORDS: product configurators, advisory system, product personalization