ATG Merchandising defines a Task Configuration Manager that it uses to process the out-of-the-box task configuration file and any custom files you intend to work with Merchandising resources. Using a Task Configuration Manager different from the one used by the Personalization module keeps the Merchandising files separate from the Personalization ones: none of the configurations from the Personalization files are inherited by the Merchandising file. This approach simplifies maintenance, by keeping Merchandising modular and autonomous.
The Task Configuration Manager is implemented by the Activity Manager. You provide settings to the Task Configuration Manager in the task configuration file using the <configuration> tag. Using a Task Configuration Manager different from the ones that come out-of-the-box is not currently supported.
For information on how the task configuration file is processed and the tags are parsed, see How the UI is Configured section in the Tailoring the UI for Specific Workflows, Tasks and Activities chapter of the ATG Business Control Center Administration and Development Guide.
