WeCoTin – A practical logic-based sales configurator

Abstract

Configurable products can realize the ideal of mass-customization by satisfying individual customer requirements efficiently. IT support provided by configurators enables adapting such products for individual customers efficiently and without errors. Few of numerous configurators have been evaluated with respect to modeling efficacy and performance on several product domains, and few evaluation methods exist. Applying the Design Science method, we describe and evaluate a novel configurator called WeCoTin. WeCoTin is based on a high-level object oriented modeling conceptualization and corresponding modeling language with clear formal semantics. WeCoTin consists of a semi-visual Modeling Tool and a web-based Configuration Tool. It applies an inference engine that follows the logic-based answer set programming paradigm. A way to characterize configuration models is proposed and applied to characterize over 20 real-world configuration models, and to evaluate utility of modeling mechanisms. Furthermore, performance is evaluated with real-world products using a developed method, and found adequate.