{"id":22092,"date":"2026-06-22T09:57:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T09:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/?p=22092"},"modified":"2026-06-22T10:29:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T10:29:30","slug":"product-configuration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/","title":{"rendered":"Product Configuration Guide for Manufacturing SMBs\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Product configuration makes it possible to customize products without designing each order from scratch. By using predefined options and rules, small manufacturers can offer more choice to customers while keeping production repeatable and manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/product-configuration-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"product-configuration\" class=\"wp-image-22110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/product-configuration-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/product-configuration-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/product-configuration-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/product-configuration-1.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #343333;color:#343333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #343333;color:#343333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#What_is_product_configuration\" >What is product configuration?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#Product_configuration_example\" >Product configuration example<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#Sales_configuration_vs_product_configuration\" >Sales configuration vs product configuration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#Types_of_product_configuration\" >Types of product configuration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#Benefits_of_product_configuration_for_manufacturers\" >Benefits of product configuration for manufacturers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#Challenges_of_product_configuration\" >Challenges of product configuration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#Product_configuration_systems_for_manufacturing_SMBs\" >Product configuration systems for manufacturing SMBs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#Key_takeaways\" >Key takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQ\" >Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_product_configuration\"><\/span>What is product configuration?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Product configuration is the process of customizing a product to meet a customer&#8217;s needs, while staying within the manufacturer\u2019s technical and business constraints. It relies on predefined rules to ensure that each product variant can be made. Product configuration rules also determine the correct materials, production steps, costs, price, and lead time for each order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Product configuration allows manufacturers to tailor products according to specific customer needs, without having to fully customize designs. It\u2019s essential to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/mass-customization\/#Mass_customization_vs_mass_production_vs_make-to-order\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mass customization<\/a>, a strategy aimed at manufacturing personalized products at nearly the same cost and efficiency as mass production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Product_configuration_example\"><\/span>Product configuration example<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One example of product configuration in practice comes from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/success-story-oceanic-saunas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oceanic Saunas<\/a>, a UK manufacturer of saunas and steam rooms. When ordering saunas, customers start with the same core products but can choose from different materials, finishes, and other details.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The company uses <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/manufacturing-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">manufacturing software<\/a> with built-in matrix BOM functionality to manage its product variants. The software also automatically creates the related orders, costs, lead times, and purchase orders for missing items<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe have product variations, different materials, finishes,&nbsp; details, and so on,\u201d says Sarah Jones, Director of Oceanic Saunas. \u201cIt\u2019s so easy to choose the variation and have our software automatically create the related orders, calculate costs and lead times, and even generate purchase orders for missing items. It takes loads of work off the team\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"banner-v2\">\n    <p class=\"banner-v2__desc\">Easily configure products with MRPeasy&#8217;s matrix BOM<\/p>\n    <a class=\"banner-v2__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/sign-up\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-event=\"blog_signup_banner_blue\">Try for free<\/a>\n<\/div>\t\t<style>.banner-v2 {\n    float: right;\n    display: flex;\n    flex-direction: column;\n    justify-content: center;\n    align-items: center;\n    padding: 40px 32px;\n    gap: 16px;\n    width: 356px;\n    height: 205px;\n    background: linear-gradient(199.68deg, #6084E5 13.17%, #5FA7DD 82.1%);\n    border-radius: 4px;\n    margin-left: 12px;\n    margin-bottom: 12px;\n    margin-top: 15px;\n}\n\n@media (max-width: 767.98px) {\n    .banner-v2 {\n         width: 100%;\n         height: 173px;\n         margin-bottom: 0;\n         margin-left: 0;\n    }\n}\n\n.single__content p.banner-v2__desc {\n    margin: 0 !important;\n}\n\np.banner-v2__desc {\n    width: 292px;\n    font-style: normal;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    font-size: 22px;\n    line-height: 29px !important;\n    text-align: center;\n    color: #FFFFFF;\n    margin: 0 !important;\n    order: 0 !important;\n}\n\n.single__content a.banner-v2__link {\n    color: #FFFFFF !important;\n}\n\n.single__content a.banner-v2__link:hover {\n    color: #003557 !important;\n}\n\na.banner-v2__link {\n    display: flex;\n    justify-content: center;\n    align-items: center;\n    width: 181px;\n    height: 51px;\n    padding: 18px 0;\n    border-radius: 4px;\n    background: #003557;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    font-size: 16px;\n    color: #FFFFFF !important;\n    text-decoration: none !important;\n    order: 1 !important;\n}\n\n.banner-v2__link:hover {\n    background: white;\n    color: #003557 !important;\n}<\/style>\n\t\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sales_configuration_vs_product_configuration\"><\/span>Sales configuration vs product configuration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While sales configuration and product configuration are often used interchangeably, there\u2019s a distinction to be made between the two terms.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Product configuration defines <em>what<\/em> you sell. Businesses use product configuration to define the options, features, and accessories that customers can choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sales configuration is the sales-facing part of product configuration. It determines <em>how<\/em> you sell product variants to customers. This involves using CPQ tools to choose product options for customers, calculate costs and prices, and generate quotes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_product_configuration\"><\/span>Types of product configuration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Options-based product configuration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Option-based product configuration is where customers choose from a predefined list of product options.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It works like a product catalog, where customers choose a base product and then have a list of options they can add on. For example, consider the example of buying a car. You can choose the model of car you want, but you are then given options to choose the color, engine size, or car interior.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Option-based configuration is common in configure-to-order (CTO) manufacturing, where the customer selects from predefined options and the manufacturer builds the finished product according to those selections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rule-based product configuration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When product configuration is rule-based, product options are automatically allowed, blocked, or enforced based on predefined logic. For example, a rule-based production configuration for a laptop manufacturer might look something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Customer selects product option: High-performance GPU<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Product configuration system blocks: Standard power supply<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Product configuration system enforces: Upgraded power supply<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In another situation, selecting a specific chassis size might automatically limit the available processor options. The system handles all of these constraints without the user needing to understand the underlying dependencies. This type of product configuration works best for complex products with lots of dependencies, such as electronics or industrial equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Knowledge-based configuration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knowledge-based product configuration is mostly used for complex, highly engineered products. This form of product configuration relies on a knowledge base of engineering rules, product logic, and business constraints to determine production feasibility.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of just selecting from predefined options, knowledge-based configuration reasons through complex inputs. For example, a knowledge-based configuration system might determine whether a selected motor is strong enough for the required load or whether chosen materials can withstand moisture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knowledge-based configuration fits well with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/engineer-to-order-process-flow-and-best-practices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">engineer-to-order<\/a> (ETO) manufacturing, which requires a configuration system to handle incomplete requirements, system-level dependencies, and cases where engineering work is still needed before production can begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Benefits_of_product_configuration_for_manufacturers\"><\/span>Benefits of product configuration for manufacturers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Operational efficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the main benefits of product configuration is that it can make your production more predictable and reliable. Because teams are working from preset configurations, not one-off designs, work within each department becomes more efficient.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Engineering doesn&#8217;t need to verify specifications with production, production doesn&#8217;t have to work on fully customized products, and procurement can accurately plan purchasing without last-minute changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It also makes sales more efficient. When a customer places an order, your sales teams can use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/cpq-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CPQ software<\/a> integrated with manufacturing software to automatically validate the sales order. The system immediately shows if the materials and capacity are available to fulfill the order, and no orders are placed unless there are the materials, labor, and capacity available. This makes quoting faster and more accurate, and minimizes bottlenecks and late orders down the road.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quality improvements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re dealing with fully customizable products, quality control can be a challenge. Because designs, components, and production processes differ from order to order, every inspection requires a fresh evaluation. This makes it harder to spot mistakes, as there are no established benchmarks to work from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With product configuration, however, your quality control teams are consistently testing the same components, which makes it easier to standardize <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/quality-control\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">quality control<\/a> procedures, identify recurring issues, and improve testing accuracy over time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Less rework and scrap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Product configuration also reduces rework and scrap, because product variations are predefined and standardized. Teams work from validated designs, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/configurable-bom-cbom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">configurable BOMs<\/a>, and well-understood production processes. Because the same configurations are produced repeatedly, potential issues can be identified and resolved early, rather than rediscovered with each new order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because product variations are predefined and standardized, you also run into less rework and scrap. Product configuration lets you work from validated designs, configurable BOMs, and well-understood production processes. The same product variants are made repeatedly, which makes it easier to identify and resolve issues early, rather than rediscover new issues them with each new order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reduced inventory costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having excess stock of finished goods can drive up carrying costs, tie up capital, and increase the risk of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/dead-stock\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dead stock<\/a> (especially for slow-moving variants). Product configuration can reduce these risks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of stocking every possible product variant, you can stock only components and subassemblies, then assemble them into finished products when customers order specific product variants. This approach is known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/mto-and-ato-manufacturing-process\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">assemble-to-order<\/a> (ATO). Using product configuration in this way, you can reduce the risk of dead stock, reduce carrying costs, and free up capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customer experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Product configuration can also improve the customer experience. First, product configuration can speed up your sales and quoting process. Sales teams can use CPQ software to determine pricing, order feasibility, and lead times. This not only makes quoting faster, but also ensures customer orders can actually be fulfilled, and fulfilled on time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>It also provides customers with more personalized products. With product configuration, your customers can choose from different product variants to find a product that best suits their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, because manufacturers can test repeatable components and catch issues earlier, customers are more likely to receive products that meet expectations, resulting in fewer returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Challenges_of_product_configuration\"><\/span>Challenges of product configuration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Defining configuration rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the more challenging parts of setting up a product configuration system is defining your configuration rules. You need to decide which product options to offer to customers, while also weighing these options against your technical limits and business constraints. Striking a balance between technical feasibility, production capacity, customer demands, and pricing can be a significant challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Too many product options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When customers have too many options to choose from, they can feel overwhelmed. Too many options also make it hard to guide customers with confidence during the sales process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, the number of dependencies between choices can also cause frustration with customers. For example, if choosing a certain material limits the available finishes, customers may not understand why some options are blocked or others are enforced. This complexity can make the process feel confusing and unpredictable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the biggest challenges with product configuration is that product data is always changing. For example, material prices can change monthly, routing times may get adjusted, and new product variants can add dependency rules. As the number of product variants increases, it also becomes more difficult to manage product data. One small change that is unaccounted for can affect many areas of production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s also common for product data to live in separate systems. This could be a PLM for engineering, CRM software for sales, and MES for shop floor workers. When managed in separate systems, different departments can end up working from different information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Often, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/manufacturing-erp-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">manufacturing ERP system<\/a> is needed to connect data from all departments, so that when information in one area of your business changes, such as a BOM, that change is reflected throughout all departments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Product_configuration_systems_for_manufacturing_SMBs\"><\/span>Product configuration systems for manufacturing SMBs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Configurable BOMs as the foundation for product configuration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For manufacturers, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/configurable-bom-cbom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">configurable BOM (bill of materials)<\/a>, also called a matrix BOM, is essential to product configuration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A configurable BOM contains all the parts, options, and rules needed to manufacture a range of product variants. When customers choose a product from predefined product options, the system uses the configurable BOM to generate the correct parts list for that configuration. This eliminates the need to create and maintain separate BOMs for each product variant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The configurable BOM is the starting point for all other production processes. It provides the essential data that drives inventory checks, feasibility assessments, machine setups, and all process steps for each product variant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ERP software for product configuration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For effective product configuration management, BOM data must be shared across all departments, so that everyone can be sure they\u2019re working from the same information. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/manufacturing-erp-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Manufacturing ERP software<\/a> does this by connecting configurable BOM data with inventory, production planning, purchasing, and sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When an order is submitted, a manufacturing ERP system uses the configurable BOM to validate whether the product can be built. It checks inventory levels against required components, evaluates available capacity, labor, and workstations, and identifies any material shortages.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If components are missing, the system can calculate how much stock needs to be purchased and allow the user to create a purchase order. Once the order is confirmed, stock is booked to the order, and inventory is updated to show those items as reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If there is any change in the configurable BOM, it\u2019s immediately reflected across all areas of production. For example, if purchasing updates material costs, sales can instantly see the updated cost in the BOM and will not quote prices based on outdated information. This ensures everyone is working from the most recent data and prevents errors in quoting, planning, purchasing, and production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Configure, price, quote (CPQ)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/configure-price-quote-cpq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Configure, price, quote (CPQ)<\/a> is a type of product configuration software that gives sales teams a structured way to configure products, calculate pricing, and generate accurate quotes for customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using CPQ, your sales teams can offer product options based on predefined rules and be sure that each product variant. This eliminates back-and-forth between departments and significantly reduces the risk of giving quotes to customers that cannot be fulfilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a CPQ tool is integrated with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/manufacturing-erp-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">manufacturing ERP software<\/a>, it uses real-time data to inform the sales process. When determining if an order can be fulfilled, the system can pull in current material costs, labor requirements, and availability of components. Pricing and lead times are then calculated accordingly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once the quote is approved, a manufacturing order can be created within the manufacturing ERP system, and the order can be tracked from production through to shipping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">E-commerce integrations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Product configurators embedded on e-commerce platforms let buyers select product options, adjust features, and see pricing in real time. Some businesses take this further with 3D product configurators, which allow users to visually customize products using 3D models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some manufacturing ERP systems also integrate with platforms like WooCommerce and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/shopify\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shopify<\/a>. Customers can choose their product variant via your e-commerce website. Then, instead of manually transferring order details, product data is automatically synced with your manufacturing ERP system. It can be converted into a manufacturing order and scheduled for production in just a couple of clicks.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"banner-v1\">\n    <div class=\"banner__text\">\n        <div class=\"banner-v1__title\">Your manufacturing business deserves effective software<\/div>\n        <div class=\"banner-v1__desc\">MRPeasy&#8217;s product configuration feature simplifies production planning and sales in manufacturing companies dealing with customizable products.<\/div>\n        <div><a class=\"banner-v1__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/sign-up\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-event=\"blog_signup_banner_white\">Try for free<\/a><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"banner__img\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/mrpeasy\/assets\/images\/banner.svg\" alt=\"banner\">\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_takeaways\"><\/span>Key takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A configurable BOM, or matrix BOM, allows manufacturers to manage many product variants from one BOM structure. Instead of creating a separate BOM for every possible combination, the system generates the correct parts list based on the options a customer chooses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When product configuration is connected to CPQ and manufacturing ERP software, sales teams can calculate prices, lead times, and feasibility using real production data. This reduces manual checks and lowers the risk of quoting products that cannot be feasibly built.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Product configuration keeps sales, engineering, purchasing, inventory, and production aligned around the same product data. This reduces back-and-forth between departments, prevents miscommunication, and makes it easier to manage all product variants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manufacturers can offer customer-specific product variants without designing every order from scratch. Customers choose from predefined options, while configuration rules ensure each variant is valid, compatible, and manufacturable. This allows for product customization at scale.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BOMs, material costs, routing times, inventory levels, and pricing rules must be accurate. As product variants increase, manufacturing software becomes important because it can keep data up-to-date across departments, which reduces errors in quotes, purchasing, and production.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQ\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1782116629030\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is a configurable BOM?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A configurable bill of materials (also called a matrix BOM) is a production planning tool that allows manufacturers to customize the bill of materials according to each individual customer order. Whereas a typical bill of materials contains the materials to produce one fixed product, a configurable BOM contains all the parts, options, and rules needed to manufacture a range of product variants. When customers place their order, they can choose from various product options and the configurable BOM will change to reflect their choices.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1782116646192\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is product configuration in CPQ?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Product configuration is the first step in CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote). In this step, the sales team selects the product options that match their customer\u2019s preferences (e.g., materials, finishes, and add-ons). Sales teams typically use CPQ software to configure the product, as the software also ensures that the configurations are technically feasible and comply with all business constraints.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1782116668849\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What\u2019s an example of a configurable BOM?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">An example of a configurable BOM is a furniture manufacturer that builds dining tables with different options, such as tabletop material (oak or walnut), tabletop size (small or large), and leg style (modern or rustic). A configurable BOM is a single bill of materials that includes all product options and their combinations. When a customer chooses their table configuration, the system generates the correct BOM, showing exactly which materials, dimensions, and leg components are required.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>You may also like: <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/multi-level-bom-indented-bom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Multi-Level BOM <\/em> (Indented BOM) &#8211; Benefits, Tips, and Use Cases<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Product configuration makes it possible to customize products without designing each order from scratch. By using predefined options and rules, small manufacturers can offer more choice to customers while keeping production repeatable and manageable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":22110,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[94,93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips","category-production-planning"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Product Configuration Guide for Manufacturing SMBs\u00a0 | MRPeasy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Product configuration makes it possible to customize products without designing each order from scratch.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Product Configuration Guide for Manufacturing SMBs\u00a0 | MRPeasy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Product configuration makes it possible to customize products without designing each order from scratch.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Blog for Manufacturers and Distributors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-22T09:57:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-22T10:29:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/product-configuration-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"810\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Shane Dubbelman\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Shane Dubbelman\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Shane Dubbelman\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/dc1ad04a044b51d8917da0a606835962\"},\"headline\":\"Product Configuration Guide for Manufacturing SMBs\u00a0\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-22T09:57:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-22T10:29:30+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2508,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/product-configuration-1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Manufacturing Tips\",\"Production planning\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/\",\"name\":\"Product Configuration Guide for Manufacturing SMBs\u00a0 | MRPeasy\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/product-configuration-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-22T09:57:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-22T10:29:30+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/dc1ad04a044b51d8917da0a606835962\"},\"description\":\"Product configuration makes it possible to customize products without designing each order from scratch.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#faq-question-1782116629030\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#faq-question-1782116646192\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#faq-question-1782116668849\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/product-configuration-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/product-configuration-1.jpg\",\"width\":1440,\"height\":810,\"caption\":\"product-configuration\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Product Configuration Guide for Manufacturing SMBs\u00a0\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Blog for Manufacturers and Distributors\",\"description\":\"MRPeasy\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/dc1ad04a044b51d8917da0a606835962\",\"name\":\"Shane Dubbelman\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/26d77128cc8605860411f5b33f908b169009e770f947630549eb6b64a503f9e8?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/26d77128cc8605860411f5b33f908b169009e770f947630549eb6b64a503f9e8?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/26d77128cc8605860411f5b33f908b169009e770f947630549eb6b64a503f9e8?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Shane Dubbelman\"},\"description\":\"With a business degree from McMaster University in Canada, Shane comes equipped with a strong marketing background. Since joining MRPeasy as a marketing specialist, he has immersed himself in the world of manufacturing, with a particular focus on understanding the day-to-day challenges faced by small manufacturers. He creates practical, insightful content that helps manufacturers improve their processes, adopt modern tools, and expand their operations.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/shane\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#faq-question-1782116629030\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#faq-question-1782116629030\",\"name\":\"What is a configurable BOM?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A configurable bill of materials (also called a matrix BOM) is a production planning tool that allows manufacturers to customize the bill of materials according to each individual customer order. Whereas a typical bill of materials contains the materials to produce one fixed product, a configurable BOM contains all the parts, options, and rules needed to manufacture a range of product variants. When customers place their order, they can choose from various product options and the configurable BOM will change to reflect their choices.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#faq-question-1782116646192\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#faq-question-1782116646192\",\"name\":\"What is product configuration in CPQ?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Product configuration is the first step in CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote). In this step, the sales team selects the product options that match their customer\u2019s preferences (e.g., materials, finishes, and add-ons). Sales teams typically use CPQ software to configure the product, as the software also ensures that the configurations are technically feasible and comply with all business constraints.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#faq-question-1782116668849\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mrpeasy.com\\\/blog\\\/product-configuration\\\/#faq-question-1782116668849\",\"name\":\"What\u2019s an example of a configurable BOM?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"An example of a configurable BOM is a furniture manufacturer that builds dining tables with different options, such as tabletop material (oak or walnut), tabletop size (small or large), and leg style (modern or rustic). A configurable BOM is a single bill of materials that includes all product options and their combinations. When a customer chooses their table configuration, the system generates the correct BOM, showing exactly which materials, dimensions, and leg components are required.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Product Configuration Guide for Manufacturing SMBs\u00a0 | MRPeasy","description":"Product configuration makes it possible to customize products without designing each order from scratch.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Product Configuration Guide for Manufacturing SMBs\u00a0 | MRPeasy","og_description":"Product configuration makes it possible to customize products without designing each order from scratch.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/","og_site_name":"Blog for Manufacturers and Distributors","article_published_time":"2026-06-22T09:57:09+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-06-22T10:29:30+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1440,"height":810,"url":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/product-configuration-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Shane Dubbelman","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Shane Dubbelman","Est. reading time":"12 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/"},"author":{"name":"Shane Dubbelman","@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/dc1ad04a044b51d8917da0a606835962"},"headline":"Product Configuration Guide for Manufacturing SMBs\u00a0","datePublished":"2026-06-22T09:57:09+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-22T10:29:30+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/"},"wordCount":2508,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/product-configuration-1.jpg","articleSection":["Manufacturing Tips","Production planning"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/","url":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/","name":"Product Configuration Guide for Manufacturing SMBs\u00a0 | MRPeasy","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/product-configuration-1.jpg","datePublished":"2026-06-22T09:57:09+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-22T10:29:30+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/dc1ad04a044b51d8917da0a606835962"},"description":"Product configuration makes it possible to customize products without designing each order from scratch.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#faq-question-1782116629030"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#faq-question-1782116646192"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#faq-question-1782116668849"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/product-configuration-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/product-configuration-1.jpg","width":1440,"height":810,"caption":"product-configuration"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Product Configuration Guide for Manufacturing SMBs\u00a0"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/","name":"Blog for Manufacturers and Distributors","description":"MRPeasy","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/dc1ad04a044b51d8917da0a606835962","name":"Shane Dubbelman","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/26d77128cc8605860411f5b33f908b169009e770f947630549eb6b64a503f9e8?s=96&d=blank&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/26d77128cc8605860411f5b33f908b169009e770f947630549eb6b64a503f9e8?s=96&d=blank&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/26d77128cc8605860411f5b33f908b169009e770f947630549eb6b64a503f9e8?s=96&d=blank&r=g","caption":"Shane Dubbelman"},"description":"With a business degree from McMaster University in Canada, Shane comes equipped with a strong marketing background. Since joining MRPeasy as a marketing specialist, he has immersed himself in the world of manufacturing, with a particular focus on understanding the day-to-day challenges faced by small manufacturers. He creates practical, insightful content that helps manufacturers improve their processes, adopt modern tools, and expand their operations.","url":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/author\/shane\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#faq-question-1782116629030","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#faq-question-1782116629030","name":"What is a configurable BOM?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A configurable bill of materials (also called a matrix BOM) is a production planning tool that allows manufacturers to customize the bill of materials according to each individual customer order. Whereas a typical bill of materials contains the materials to produce one fixed product, a configurable BOM contains all the parts, options, and rules needed to manufacture a range of product variants. When customers place their order, they can choose from various product options and the configurable BOM will change to reflect their choices.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#faq-question-1782116646192","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#faq-question-1782116646192","name":"What is product configuration in CPQ?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Product configuration is the first step in CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote). In this step, the sales team selects the product options that match their customer\u2019s preferences (e.g., materials, finishes, and add-ons). Sales teams typically use CPQ software to configure the product, as the software also ensures that the configurations are technically feasible and comply with all business constraints.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#faq-question-1782116668849","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/product-configuration\/#faq-question-1782116668849","name":"What\u2019s an example of a configurable BOM?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"An example of a configurable BOM is a furniture manufacturer that builds dining tables with different options, such as tabletop material (oak or walnut), tabletop size (small or large), and leg style (modern or rustic). A configurable BOM is a single bill of materials that includes all product options and their combinations. When a customer chooses their table configuration, the system generates the correct BOM, showing exactly which materials, dimensions, and leg components are required.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22092"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22092\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22113,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22092\/revisions\/22113"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrpeasy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}