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Function documentation Configuration Simulation  Locate the document in its SAP Library structure

Use

You can use the modeling environment for Variant Configuration to start the simulation of a product configuration model. In the modeling environment, you can choose the configuration you want to use for the simulation to test changes to your model, for example.

For general information, see The Configuration Simulation.

Integration

You can call up the configuration simulation function from the modeling environment. When you start a simulation, however, you leave the modeling environment.

Depending on the whether you have selected the standard Variant Configuration function or the Internet Pricing and Configurator (IPC) for the model, the model is provided in the relevant environment. For Variant Configuration, this is the standard characteristic value assignment screen; for the IPC, it is the user interface assigned to the Configuration Engine for product configuration in mySAP ERP.

When you return to the modeling environment, the respective configuration environment is closed.

Prerequisites

To simulate a product configuration for a specific model, you need a configuration profile.

With the standard Variant Configuration function, the simulation uses the master data for the model, as it is stored on the database. If you are using the IPC, however, you have to provide the data basis for the model in the form of runtime versions of the knowledge base. For this reason, make sure that the runtime version reflects the status of the model that you want to test.

When designing your model, also take into account the differences between the two configurators.

Features

You can use the modeling environment to start the simulation of the product configuration and call one of the two configurators, depending on whether you have selected

·        the standard Variant Configuration function only,

·        the standard Variant Configuration function in productive use and the IPC for testing,

·        or the IPC only

for the material in question. For more information, see Assignment of a Configurator.

If you use the IPS for testing only, you can choose which of the two configurators you want to use for the current test when you start the simulation.

Activities

To test the model that you have loaded in the modeling environment and possibly edited, proceed as follows:

       1.      Choose This graphic is explained in the accompanying text to start the configuration simulation.

       2.      If you have made changes to the model but have not saved them yet, you have to save them now.

       3.      Depending on the material settings, follow the steps below:

¡        If you have configured the standard Variant Configuration for the material, start the simulation for the model.

¡        If you have also configured the IPS for test purposes, you have to choose the configurator that you want to use for the test.

For the IPC, you need a runtime version of the knowledge base for the model. If runtime versions already exist, select the version you want to use for the test. If you want to update (regenerate) the selected runtime version before you perform the test, set the Update Runtime Version indicator.

Choose This graphic is explained in the accompanying text.

If the indicator is set, a runtime version is generated.

Depending on the configurator you selected, the system then starts either the standard Variant Configuration function or the IPC.

¡        If you have generally configured the IPC for the material, you need a runtime version. In this case, proceed as described in the second alternative.

       4.      Choose This graphic is explained in the accompanying text to return to the modeling environment.

 

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