METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SPECIFYING AND APPLYING BUSINESS RULES IN A PRODUCT CONFIGURATOR
Methods and apparatus for specifying and applying businesses rules in a product configurator are disclosed. The disclosed system enables a design-time user to specify a set of businesses rules for a product configurator using a table. The system then converts this table to software instructions to enforce those business rules. A run-time user may then execute the software instructions to configure one or more products that conform to those rules.
1 . A computer implemented method of specifying and applying businesses rules in a product configurator, the method comprising:
displaying a table entry tool, wherein the table entry tool allows a first user to add and delete columns and rows;
receiving a plurality of business rules associated with a product configuration via the table entry tool;
executing first software to convert the plurality of business rules to logical statements; and
executing second software to allow a second user to interactively configure a product, the second software using the logical statements to assist the second user in configuring the product.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the logical statements include if-then statements.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a bill of materials rule.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a pricing rule.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a hidden attribute rule.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a recommendation rule.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a constraint rule.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a recommended items rule.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first software is different than the second software.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first software is the same as the second software.
11 . An apparatus for specifying and applying businesses rules in a product configurator, the apparatus comprising:
a processor;
an input device operatively coupled to the processor and a network;
an output device operatively coupled to the processor and the network; and
a memory device operatively coupled to the processor, the memory device storing a software application, the software application enabling:
the output device to display a table entry tool, wherein the table entry tool allows a first user to add and delete columns and rows;
the input device to receive a plurality of business rules associated with a product configuration via the table entry tool; and
the processor to execute software to convert the plurality of business rules to logical statements, wherein the logical statements are used by a second user to interactively configure a product.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the logical statements include if-then statements.
13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a bill of materials rule.
14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a pricing rule.
15 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a hidden attribute rule.
16 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a recommendation rule.
17 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a constraint rule.
18 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a recommended items rule.
19 . A computer readable memory storing a software application, the software application enabling:
an output device to display a table entry tool, wherein the table entry tool allows a first user to add and delete columns and rows;
an input device to receive a plurality of business rules associated with a product configuration via the table entry tool; and
a processor to execute software to convert the plurality of business rules to logical statements, wherein the logical statements are used by a second user to interactively configure a product.
20 . The computer readable memory of claim 19 , wherein the logical statements include if-then statements.
21 . The computer readable memory of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a bill of materials rule.
22 . The computer readable memory of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a pricing rule.
23 . The computer readable memory of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a hidden attribute rule.
24 . The computer readable memory of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a recommendation rule.
25 . The computer readable memory of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a constraint rule.
26 . The computer readable memory of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of business rules includes a recommended items rule.