Bookshelf v7.7: Quote Integration and Configuration Assistant

Creating a model product and associating a model with it is not required in release 7.x. Instead, you create a customizable product work space, which is similar to creating a record in the Model Manager at 6.x. This work space associates the parts of the customizable product, including its components, links, resources, and UI definition with the product record. When you release a new version of the customizable product, it becomes available immediately for configuration in quotes and in eSales Web pages.

At 6.x, the Configuration Assistant view was used to display models, select items, and transfer items to a quote. If you wanted to modify the way Configuration Assistant looked, you had to use Siebel Tools to build a new view. In release 7.x, a Product UI Designer is provided within eConfigurator to create the browser pages, called selection pages, that will display during a configuration session. You can select from several base themes and product themes that define basic page layout. You can also select the controls, such as radio buttons or check boxes, to use for displaying items.

The base themes, product themes, and controls are stored in template files that you can customize or use to create your own templates. In addition, you can use the User Interface Property Designer to customize how individual items display. If you do not want to create a user interface for a customizable product, the system provides intelligent defaults for creating selection pages automatically. Table 6 maps 6.x features to 7.x for quote integration and Configuration Assistant.

Table 6. Quote Integration and Configuration Assistant
Release 6.x	Release 7.x	Comment
Verify a solution	Verify a customizable product configuration.
Verify a quote	Verify a quote.
Update a quote	Update a quote.
Solution name	Customizable product name.
Solution quantity	Customizable product quantity.
Line item quantity	Component quantity in a customizable product.
Reconfigure a solution with a new version of a model	Reconfigure a stored session with a newer version of a customizable product
Create and manage Favorites	Create and manage Favorites
Add an item in a configuration session	Same. Define item display in Product UI Designer	You can also accept system defaults for item display
Remove an item	Same. Define item display in Product UI Designer	You can also accept system defaults for item display
Add a category	Add a relationship in Product Designer
Unsatisfied category icon	A flag displays when a relationship is below its minimum cardinality or is required.
Finish It!	Finish It!
Item state explanation	The user interface contains an Explanation button.	Clicking the Explanation button displays an explanation.
Item properties displayed in applet	Properties have been replaced by configurable attributes. Attributes display in configuration session or in Quotes > Dynamic Attributes.
Messages and Recommendations	Messages and Recommendations
Unsatisfied requirement message	Unsatisfied requirement message
Quantity out of range message	Quantity out of range message
Conflict-exists pop-up message	Conflict-exists pop-up message	Explanation and ability to proceed or cancel user action is supported
Edit quantity of an item	Edit quantity of an item	Requires UI control that allows editing of quantity.