Knowledge-Based Configuration

Knowledge-based Configuration incorporates knowledge representation formalisms to capture complex product models and reasoning methods to provide intelligent interactive behavior with the user. This book represents the first time that corporate and academic worlds collaborate integrating research and commercial benefits of knowledge-based configuration. Foundational interdisciplinary material is provided for composing models from increasingly complex products and services. Case studies, the latest research, and graphical knowledge representations that increase understanding of knowledge-based configuration provide a toolkit to continue to push the boundaries of what configurators can do and how they enable companies and customers to thrive.

• Includes detailed discussion of state-of-the art configuration knowledge engineering approaches such as automated testing and debugging, redundancy detection, and conflict management
• Provides an overview of the application of knowledge-based configuration technologies in the form of real-world case studies from SAP, Siemens, Kapsch, and more
• Explores the commercial benefits of knowledge-based configuration technologies to business sectors from services to industrial equipment
• Uses concepts that are based on an example personal computer configuration knowledge base that is represented in an UML-based graphical language

Researchers in corporations and academia; software engineers; systems engineers; technical management

Part 1: Introduction

Chapter 1. Motivation for the Book

• Abstract
• 1.1 What Is Configuration?
• 1.2 Why Use Configuration Technologies?
• 1.3 Why Read This Book?
• References

Chapter 2. A Short History of Configuration Technologies

• Abstract
• 2.1 Rule-based Configurators
• 2.2 Early Model-based Configurators
• 2.3 Mainstream Configuration Environments
• 2.4 Mass Customization Toolkits
• 2.5 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 3. Configuration-Related Topics

• Abstract
• 3.1 Design
• 3.2 Planning
• 3.3 Recommender Systems
• 3.4 Software Configuration and Version Management
• 3.5 Product Data Management
• 3.6 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 4. Benefits of Configuration Systems

• Abstract
• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 Challenges and Benefits
• 4.3 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 5. Overview of the Book

• Abstract

Part 2: Basics

Chapter 6. Configuration Knowledge Representation and Reasoning

• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• 6.1 Introduction
• 6.2 Constraint-Based Knowledge Representation
• 6.3 Graphical Knowledge Representation
• 6.4 Logic-Based Knowledge Representation
• 6.5 Comparison of Knowledge Representations
• 6.6 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 7. Conflict Detection and Diagnosis in Configuration

• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• 7.1 Introduction
• 7.2 Example
• 7.3 Determining Minimal Conflict Sets
• 7.4 Determining Minimal Diagnoses
• 7.5 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 8. User Interfaces for Configuration Environments

• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• 8.1 Introduction
• 8.2 Design Principles for Configurator User Interfaces
• 8.3 Technological Issues
• 8.4 Usability Issues in Configurator User Interface Development
• 8.5 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 9. Core Capabilities of Sustainable Mass Customization

• Abstract
• 9.1 Introduction
• 9.2 Solution Space Development
• 9.3 Robust Process Design
• 9.4 Choice Navigation
• 9.5 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 10. Smarthome Configuration Model

• Abstract
• 10.1 Introduction
• 10.2 Building Automation Systems: Domain
• 10.3 Configuration Model: Structure
• 10.4 Configuration Model: Constraints
• 10.5 Configuration Model: Configuration Workflow
• 10.6 Characteristics of the Smarthome Model
• 10.7 Conclusion
• References

Part 3: Advanced Topics

Chapter 11. Knowledge Engineering for Configuration Systems

• Abstract
• 11.1 Introduction
• 11.2 The Configurator Development Life Cycle
• 11.3 Debugging Configuration Knowledge Bases
• 11.4 Organizational Challenges
• 11.5 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 12. Redundancy Detection in Configuration Knowledge

• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• 12.1 Introduction
• 12.2 An Example Configuration Knowledge Base
• 12.3 Determining Redundant Constraints
• 12.4 CoreDiag
• 12.5 Evaluation
• 12.6 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 13. Personalized Configuration

• Abstract
• 13.1 Introduction
• 13.2 Example
• 13.3 Integrating Recommendation Technologies to Configurators
• 13.4 Research Challenges
• 13.5 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 14. Consumer Decision-Making and Configuration Systems

• Abstract
• 14.1 Introduction
• 14.2 Decoy Effects
• 14.3 Serial Position Effects
• 14.4 Status Quo Effect
• 14.5 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 15. Configuration-Related Research Challenges

• Abstract
• References

Part 4: Case Studies

Chapter 16. SIEMENS: Configuration and Reconfiguration in Industry

• Abstract
• 16.1 Introduction
• 16.2 Domain: Railway Interlocking Systems
• 16.3 Requirements
• 16.4 Techniques
• 16.5 Results
• 16.6 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 17. Tacton: Use of Tacton Configurator at FLSmidth

• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• 17.1 Introduction
• 17.2 FLSmidth Company Introduction
• 17.3 Cement Plants
• 17.4 The Choice of Tacton Configurator
• 17.5 Advantages and Requirements of Constraint-Based Configuration
• 17.6 Implementing Tacton Configurator at FLSmidth
• 17.7 Benefits
• 17.8 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 18. encoway: From ERP-Based to Sales-Oriented Configuration

• Abstract
• 18.1 Introduction: ERP-Based Configuration
• 18.2 Sales-Oriented Configuration
• 18.3 Configurator Application: sellAIR at Boge
• 18.4 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 19. Kapsch: Reconfiguration of Mobile Phone Networks

• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• 19.1 Introduction
• 19.2 Domain Requirements
• 19.3 SIMOA Approach
• 19.4 Business Cases
• 19.5 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 20. Configuring and Generating Technical Documents

• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• 20.1 Introduction
• 20.2 Defining Model-Based Product Lines
• 20.3 Industrial Case Example: Customizing Technical Documentation
• 20.4 Modeling Document Variability
• 20.5 Tool Support for Document Configuration and Generation
• 20.6 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 21. Configuring Services and Processes

• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• 21.1 Introduction
• 21.2 Sales Configuration of Services
• 21.3 Process Configuration
• 21.4 Conclusion
• References

Part 5: Configuration Environments

Chapter 22. S’UPREME

• Abstract
• 22.1 Introduction
• 22.2 System Architecture and Technological Background
• 22.3 Modeling of the Working Example
• 22.4 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 23. encoway

• Abstract
• 23.1 Introduction
• 23.2 History and Scientific Basis
• 23.3 Modeling of the Working Example
• 23.4 System Integration
• 23.5 Data Integration
• 23.6 Quote Generation Process
• 23.7 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 24. KONWERK

• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• 24.1 Overview
• 24.2 Modeling of the Working Example
• 24.3 Enhancement Modules
• 24.4 Implementation
• 24.5 Applications
• 24.6 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 25. WeeVis

• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• 25.1 Introduction
• 25.2 Modeling of the Working Example
• 25.3 User Interface
• 25.4 Related Work
• 25.5 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 26. VariSales

• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• 26.1 Introduction
• 26.2 Modeling of the Working Example
• 26.3 Price and Hard Disk Capacity
• 26.4 User Interface Modeling and Generation
• 26.5 Conclusion
• References

Chapter 27. Product Configuration in SAP: A Retrospective

• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• 27.1 Introduction
• 27.2 Expert Systems (XPS)
• 27.3 Declarative Knowledge Representation and Constraints in XPS in the 1980s
• 27.4 The Manufacture of Variants: A Configuration Problem
• 27.5 A Productively Used XPS: The SAP (OS/2) Configurator
• 27.6 Making It Mainstream: The SAP Variant Configurator (SAP VC)
• 27.7 The SAP IPC (Internet Pricing and Configuration)
• 27.8 Conclusion
• References

Part 6: Appendix

Appendix

• A.1 Conferences and Workshops
• A.2 Open-Source CSP, ASP, and SAT Solvers
• A.3 Configuration Environments
• A.4 Benchmarks
• A.5 Lexicons and Databases
• A.6 Journal Special Issues