What is a Product Configurator?
A product configurator is a software tool that enables users to create customized products by selecting from predefined options, features, and components—while ensuring that every configuration is valid, manufacturable, and priced correctly. Product configurators are commonly used in industries with complex or customizable offerings, such as manufacturing, industrial equipment, medical devices, IT services, and automotive.
At its core, a product configurator simplifies complexity. Instead of relying on spreadsheets, manuals, or engineering support, users can configure products through a guided, rules-based interface that prevents incompatible or non-compliant selections.
How Does a Product Configurator Works?
A product configurator operates on rules and logic that define how product options relate to one another. These rules may include:
- Compatibility constraints (which components work together)
- Dependency rules (if option A is selected, option B must also be included)
- Exclusion rules (choosing one option eliminates others)
- Regulatory or compliance requirements
- Manufacturing or engineering constraints
As a user selects options, the configurator validates each choice in real time, ensuring the final configuration is accurate and buildable. Advanced product configurators can also generate supporting outputs such as bills of materials (BOMs), routings, drawings, pricing, and technical documentation.
Types of Product Configurators
Product configurators can be deployed in different contexts depending on business needs:
- Sales configurators help sales teams or customers build accurate configurations quickly during the quoting process.
- Visual configurators allow users to see a graphical or 3D representation of the configured product.
- Engineering configurators support complex, multi-level product structures and automate engineering outputs.
- Ecommerce configurators enable customers to self-configure products online while enforcing business rules.
Many modern configurators are embedded within or integrated with CPQ software, CRM systems, ERP platforms, or ecommerce environments.
Product Configurator vs. CPQ
A product configurator is often a core component of CPQ software, but the two are not the same.
- A product configurator focuses on building valid product configurations.
- CPQ software extends this capability by applying pricing logic, discount rules, approvals, and generating quotes and proposals.
In other words, the product configurator ensures what can be sold, while CPQ ensures how it is priced and quoted.
Benefits of Using a Product Configurator
Organizations adopt product configurators to reduce errors, speed up processes, and improve customer experience. Key benefits include:
- Faster configuration: Sales teams can build complex products in minutes instead of days.
- Improved accuracy: Built-in rules eliminate invalid or non-manufacturable configurations.
- Reduced engineering workload: Engineering knowledge is embedded in rules, minimizing manual intervention.
- Shorter sales cycles: Quotes and configurations are completed faster and with fewer revisions.
- Consistent customer experience: Every configuration follows the same validated logic and standards.
Industries That Use Product Configurators
Product configurators are especially valuable in industries with configurable or engineered-to-order products, including:
- Industrial manufacturing
- Medical devices
- Specialty vehicles
- IT and managed services
- HVAC and building systems
- Machinery and equipment manufacturing
As products grow more complex and customer expectations for speed increase, product configurators have become essential for scalable, efficient selling.
People Also Ask
What is the main purpose of a product configurator?
The main purpose of a product configurator is to enable users to build accurate, valid product configurations by guiding selections through predefined rules and constraints.
Is a product configurator only for sales teams?
No. While sales teams commonly use product configurators, they are also used by engineering, distributors, partners, and end customers—especially in ecommerce or self-service environments.
Can a product configurator integrate with ERP or CRM systems?
Yes. Modern product configurators often integrate with CRM and ERP systems to share product data, pricing, BOMs, and order information, ensuring consistency across sales, engineering, and manufacturing.
