Hi David Tailor,
Configuration technology are answers of ERP industry for various types of manufacturing models companies operate in.
Each configuration technology is targeting a specific industry type.
Predefined variants are the easiest and simplest- Retail industry is the most commonly understood example of it. T shirt variants are predefined by its manufacturer. One T shirt can vary is size and color for example.
So a T shirt manufactured in 2 size and 2 color needs 4 predefined variants. Here customers standing at the retail outlet does not ask that I need the same t shirt in orange color. He gets kicked out if he attempts
He has to take from what is available. Typical retail industry
Not all manufactures are like a garment manufacturer.
Complex custom engineered products can never be sold as pre-defined variants as it leads to huge manufacturing and capital cost.
Here we need other two. Dimension based configuration and constraint based configuration
Products where customer calls in customer specific details and post which products are manufactured are the industry for which above configuration technology are meant for,
A yatch manufacturer provides same yatch in n number of variations based on customer demands.
I order same yatch with 50 HP engine, copper grills, 110 mm post, digital gauges and many more variations.
Some one else may order same yatch with 70 Hp engine, Aluminium grill, 70 mm post, analog gauge.
So you cannot make pre-defined variants here as the products that vary are too large which will lead to huge predefined variants making it impossible to manufacture products.
There are no fix rules to decide which one to use for which customer and judgement to select comes from domain industry knowledge and past consulting experiences.
I can go on a day on this.
