Viega: Avoiding complexity
As a manufacturer of installation technology, Viega GmbH & Co. KG supplies
Product configuration: The solution for customized products
Definition
What is a product configuration?
DEFINITION OF COMPACT PRODUCT CONFIGURATION:
Product configuration is the process of using standard components from a modular system to create customized customer products. Unlike traditional variant models, configuration here is done “on demand”—in real time, system-supported, and with precision.
What is product configuration?
Product configuration is based on a modular architecture. A well-designed modular system forms the basis. Product designs can be automatically selected, adapted, and configured. The result: a tailor-made product, clearly documented and ready for production. Configuration is also suitable as a basis for adapting product designs for products that require individual adjustments in each order.
Individual product configuration: Tailor-made solutions for all batch sizes
Companies with specific requirements benefit particularly from individual product configuration. In mechanical engineering, plant construction, and special construction, for example, sales and design costs can be reduced. Standard modules enable repeatable processes, saving time and money. This creates a competitive advantage through fast, reproducible products.
Product configuration is based on a modular architecture. A well-designed modular system forms the basis. Product designs can be automatically selected, adapted, and configured. The result: a tailor-made product, clearly documented and ready for production. Configuration is also suitable as a basis for adapting product designs for products that require individual adjustments in each order.
Individual product configuration: Tailor-made solutions for all batch sizes
Companies with specific requirements benefit particularly from individual product configuration. In mechanical engineering, plant construction, and special construction, for example, sales and design costs can be reduced. Standard modules enable repeatable processes, saving time and money. This creates a competitive advantage through fast, reproducible products.
Benefits
Advantages of product configuration
- Cost-effectiveness: Standardized components reduce storage and production costs.
- Efficiency: Shorter turnaround times thanks to a clearly defined modular approach.
- Strategic benefit: Faster time to market with customized products.
- Logistics optimization: Fewer variants mean lower inventory levels and greater predictability.
- Sustainability: CO₂-optimized variants thanks to data-driven decisions.
Quotation generation, BOM creation, and variant checking are significantly streamlined. An overview of the most important tools and systems:
- CPQ Product Configuration: CPQ (Configure-Price-Quote) solutions automate pricing and options. Once configured, they generate customized quotes.
- Product configurators in ERP or CAD systems automatically generate BOMs and ensure technical feasibility.
- Automatic schematic generation complements technical configuration solutions.
- Software for creating configuration models: enables modular structures tailored to the configuration
Tools
The prerequisite for all of this: a configurable modular system
Cquenz, the tool developed by Odego GmbH, is used to create exactly this kind of modular system. Cquenz maps out the entire structure and all configuration rules—in a clear, version-controlled, and team-friendly manner. This ensures that the configuration is carefully designed, mapped, and tested right from the development phase—even for complex technical products that do not appear configurable at first glance.
Tools
CPQ Product Configuration: The Future of Customization
CPQ product configuration is more than just pricing—it standardizes quoting, design, and production. Odego does not offer its own CPQ solution, but it enables the transfer of the modular system modeled with Cquenz to CPQ solutions. This way, configuration knowledge is digitized right where it is created: in product development.
Our product configuration consulting services cover the entire process from the current state to the configurable product—even for complex custom machines or systems that were previously designed individually:
- Analysis of existing processes and variants
- Development of the modular system
- Creation of a configuration model in Cquenz
- Testing of configurability in the Cquenz Configurator app
- Definition of requirements for the tool landscape and interfaces
Procedure
Step by step: How we support the path to product configuration
1
Market analysis
2
Architecture
3
Configuration model
4
Pilot phase
5
Transfer to configuration tools
Industry cases
Case Studies: Configure and Gain Efficiency
A manufacturer of oil filtration systems reduced its design workload by 60%. Cquenz provided a clear configuration logic — the basis for efficient quotation preparation.
In the field of specialty vehicle manufacturing, Cquenz has demonstrated that the transition from a made-to-order production model to a configuration-based model is indeed possible—and supports the rapid implementation of a CPQ tool.
Read more examples from the industry
Syntegon: Developing scalable machines with Cquenz
No product without modularity: Matthias Börner develops process machines at Syntegon, where
Scheuch: From fog to cloud
Scheuch is the market and competence leader in the field of innovative
WAS ambulances: From manufacturing to configuration
From manufacturing to configuration – is that really possible? How Wietmarscher Ambulanz-
USP
Why partnering with Odego is worthwhile
The successful launch of a configurable product doesn’t start with software, but with a deep understanding of products, processes, and organizational structures. This is exactly where Odego comes in—with extensive experience, methodological expertise, and a unique tool.
Odego understands the challenges faced by a wide range of industries and brings over a decade of hands-on experience to the table. Our expertise spans:
- Mechanical and Plant Engineering
- Custom Machine Building
- Medical technology
- Food & Pharma Processing
- Manufacturing of equipment and components
- Vehicle Manufacturing
- Intralogistics
This industry expertise enables us to quickly identify configuration opportunities and develop concrete solutions.
With Cquenz, the tool developed by Odego GmbH, we offer a unique system for developing and simulating configurable modular systems. It is the only tool on the market that can not only map a complete configuration model but also simulate it in its entirety—including:
- Quantity Analysis
- Cost implications
- Revenue Scenarios
- CO₂ Assessment
This allows both technical feasibility and economic benefits to be validated simultaneously—a clear advantage for investment decisions and system implementations.
Configuration starts with the product—not with the CPQ system. That’s why our support begins with the development of the modular product structure. We help with:
- The functional structure of the product
- The definition of modular function blocks
- The representation of variant rules and paths in Cquenz
Visualization and version control for transparent teamwork
Introducing a configurable product system requires not only technology but also a new way of thinking. That is why we support not only the implementation but also the transformation:
- Transparency through consistency: All project participants can see the status at any time—no loss of information
- An understanding of regulations and modules is developed collaboratively within the team
- Change as a Team Effort: We Shape Change Together, in a Practical and Iterative Way
On this basis, companies can, for example, realign their modular approach, consolidate their product range, or systematically tap into new market opportunities. The goal is a balanced product portfolio that both addresses customer needs and can be managed efficiently internally.
Consequently, the results obtained are verified using data—not just in theory, but directly based on the configuration logic that has been developed. This makes it possible to:
- Variant reduction
- Improved time-to-market
- Cost and CO₂ savings
- Economies of scale and reuse
demonstrate in a measurable and transparent way—even in the early stages of a project.
Those who work with Odego and Cquenz are choosing a secure, well-founded, and scalable implementation of product configuration—based on the product structure, with technical depth, business clarity, and proven practicality. When starting with product configuration, a structured approach is recommended:
With our product configuration consulting, you can successfully transition from custom manufacturing to scalable, tailored configuration. Why product configuration is worthwhile:
- Modeling: Model rules and structures in Cquenz and verify the completeness and accuracy of the configuration model
- Validation: Gain initial experience and validate the approach in Cquenz. Based on this, select the systems that best fit your needs
- Integration: Integrate the configuration into the process landscape
With our product configuration consulting, you can successfully transition from custom manufacturing to scalable, tailored configuration. Why product configuration is worthwhile:
- Fewer errors thanks to valid configuration rules
- Faster response to customer inquiries
- Cost reduction through standardization
- Higher quality through structured order processing
FAQ
Product configuration is the process of systematically assembling individual products from predefined modules and rules.
It guides users through selection rules, automatically creates technical documents, and ensures valid, implementable product variants.
CPQ stands for Configure-Price-Quote. It automates configuration, price calculation, and quotation creation in real time.
It enables tailor-made products from a modular system that is specifically designed for each company in such a way that it reduces costs and increases efficiency and competitiveness.
Product configuration consulting supports companies in building a configurable product portfolio – from analysis and modular development to integration into CPQ or ERP systems. The Cquenz tool helps to model and validate configuration logic and successfully manage change within the team.