Knowledge-Based Configuration
From Research to Business Cases
- 1st Edition - March 31, 2014
- Latest edition
- Authors: Alexander Felfernig, Lothar Hotz, Claire Bagley, Juha Tiihonen
- Language: English
- Hardback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 4 1 5 8 1 7 - 7
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 4 1 5 8 6 9 - 6
Knowledge-based Configuration incorporates knowledge representation formalisms to capture complex product models and reasoning methods to provide intelligent interactive behavior… Read more
Knowledge-based Configuration incorporates knowledge representation formalisms to capture complex product models and reasoning methods to provide intelligent interactive behavior with the user. This book represents the first time that corporate and academic worlds collaborate integrating research and commercial benefits of knowledge-based configuration. Foundational interdisciplinary material is provided for composing models from increasingly complex products and services. Case studies, the latest research, and graphical knowledge representations that increase understanding of knowledge-based configuration provide a toolkit to continue to push the boundaries of what configurators can do and how they enable companies and customers to thrive.
- Includes detailed discussion of state-of-the art configuration knowledge engineering approaches such as automated testing and debugging, redundancy detection, and conflict management
- Provides an overview of the application of knowledge-based configuration technologies in the form of real-world case studies from SAP, Siemens, Kapsch, and more
- Explores the commercial benefits of knowledge-based configuration technologies to business sectors from services to industrial equipment
- Uses concepts that are based on an example personal computer configuration knowledge base that is represented in an UML-based graphical language
Researchers in corporations and academia; software engineers; systems engineers; technical management
Part 1: Introduction
Chapter 1. Motivation for the Book
- Abstract
- 1.1 What Is Configuration?
- 1.2 Why Use Configuration Technologies?
- 1.3 Why Read This Book?
- References
Chapter 2. A Short History of Configuration Technologies
- Abstract
- 2.1 Rule-based Configurators
- 2.2 Early Model-based Configurators
- 2.3 Mainstream Configuration Environments
- 2.4 Mass Customization Toolkits
- 2.5 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 3. Configuration-Related Topics
- Abstract
- 3.1 Design
- 3.2 Planning
- 3.3 Recommender Systems
- 3.4 Software Configuration and Version Management
- 3.5 Product Data Management
- 3.6 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 4. Benefits of Configuration Systems
- Abstract
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Challenges and Benefits
- 4.3 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 5. Overview of the Book
- Abstract
Part 2: Basics
Chapter 6. Configuration Knowledge Representation and Reasoning
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- 6.1 Introduction
- 6.2 Constraint-Based Knowledge Representation
- 6.3 Graphical Knowledge Representation
- 6.4 Logic-Based Knowledge Representation
- 6.5 Comparison of Knowledge Representations
- 6.6 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 7. Conflict Detection and Diagnosis in Configuration
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- 7.1 Introduction
- 7.2 Example
- 7.3 Determining Minimal Conflict Sets
- 7.4 Determining Minimal Diagnoses
- 7.5 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 8. User Interfaces for Configuration Environments
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- 8.1 Introduction
- 8.2 Design Principles for Configurator User Interfaces
- 8.3 Technological Issues
- 8.4 Usability Issues in Configurator User Interface Development
- 8.5 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 9. Core Capabilities of Sustainable Mass Customization
- Abstract
- 9.1 Introduction
- 9.2 Solution Space Development
- 9.3 Robust Process Design
- 9.4 Choice Navigation
- 9.5 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 10. Smarthome Configuration Model
- Abstract
- 10.1 Introduction
- 10.2 Building Automation Systems: Domain
- 10.3 Configuration Model: Structure
- 10.4 Configuration Model: Constraints
- 10.5 Configuration Model: Configuration Workflow
- 10.6 Characteristics of the Smarthome Model
- 10.7 Conclusion
- References
Part 3: Advanced Topics
Chapter 11. Knowledge Engineering for Configuration Systems
- Abstract
- 11.1 Introduction
- 11.2 The Configurator Development Life Cycle
- 11.3 Debugging Configuration Knowledge Bases
- 11.4 Organizational Challenges
- 11.5 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 12. Redundancy Detection in Configuration Knowledge
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- 12.1 Introduction
- 12.2 An Example Configuration Knowledge Base
- 12.3 Determining Redundant Constraints
- 12.4 CoreDiag
- 12.5 Evaluation
- 12.6 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 13. Personalized Configuration
- Abstract
- 13.1 Introduction
- 13.2 Example
- 13.3 Integrating Recommendation Technologies to Configurators
- 13.4 Research Challenges
- 13.5 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 14. Consumer Decision-Making and Configuration Systems
- Abstract
- 14.1 Introduction
- 14.2 Decoy Effects
- 14.3 Serial Position Effects
- 14.4 Status Quo Effect
- 14.5 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 15. Configuration-Related Research Challenges
- Abstract
- References
Part 4: Case Studies
Chapter 16. SIEMENS: Configuration and Reconfiguration in Industry
- Abstract
- 16.1 Introduction
- 16.2 Domain: Railway Interlocking Systems
- 16.3 Requirements
- 16.4 Techniques
- 16.5 Results
- 16.6 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 17. Tacton: Use of Tacton Configurator at FLSmidth
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- 17.1 Introduction
- 17.2 FLSmidth Company Introduction
- 17.3 Cement Plants
- 17.4 The Choice of Tacton Configurator
- 17.5 Advantages and Requirements of Constraint-Based Configuration
- 17.6 Implementing Tacton Configurator at FLSmidth
- 17.7 Benefits
- 17.8 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 18. encoway: From ERP-Based to Sales-Oriented Configuration
- Abstract
- 18.1 Introduction: ERP-Based Configuration
- 18.2 Sales-Oriented Configuration
- 18.3 Configurator Application: sellAIR at Boge
- 18.4 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 19. Kapsch: Reconfiguration of Mobile Phone Networks
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- 19.1 Introduction
- 19.2 Domain Requirements
- 19.3 SIMOA Approach
- 19.4 Business Cases
- 19.5 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 20. Configuring and Generating Technical Documents
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- 20.1 Introduction
- 20.2 Defining Model-Based Product Lines
- 20.3 Industrial Case Example: Customizing Technical Documentation
- 20.4 Modeling Document Variability
- 20.5 Tool Support for Document Configuration and Generation
- 20.6 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 21. Configuring Services and Processes
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- 21.1 Introduction
- 21.2 Sales Configuration of Services
- 21.3 Process Configuration
- 21.4 Conclusion
- References
Part 5: Configuration Environments
Chapter 22. S’UPREME
- Abstract
- 22.1 Introduction
- 22.2 System Architecture and Technological Background
- 22.3 Modeling of the Working Example
- 22.4 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 23. encoway
- Abstract
- 23.1 Introduction
- 23.2 History and Scientific Basis
- 23.3 Modeling of the Working Example
- 23.4 System Integration
- 23.5 Data Integration
- 23.6 Quote Generation Process
- 23.7 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 24. KONWERK
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- 24.1 Overview
- 24.2 Modeling of the Working Example
- 24.3 Enhancement Modules
- 24.4 Implementation
- 24.5 Applications
- 24.6 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 25. WeeVis
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- 25.1 Introduction
- 25.2 Modeling of the Working Example
- 25.3 User Interface
- 25.4 Related Work
- 25.5 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 26. VariSales
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- 26.1 Introduction
- 26.2 Modeling of the Working Example
- 26.3 Price and Hard Disk Capacity
- 26.4 User Interface Modeling and Generation
- 26.5 Conclusion
- References
Chapter 27. Product Configuration in SAP: A Retrospective
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- 27.1 Introduction
- 27.2 Expert Systems (XPS)
- 27.3 Declarative Knowledge Representation and Constraints in XPS in the 1980s
- 27.4 The Manufacture of Variants: A Configuration Problem
- 27.5 A Productively Used XPS: The SAP (OS/2) Configurator
- 27.6 Making It Mainstream: The SAP Variant Configurator (SAP VC)
- 27.7 The SAP IPC (Internet Pricing and Configuration)
- 27.8 Conclusion
- References
Part 6: Appendix
Appendix
- A.1 Conferences and Workshops
- A.2 Open-Source CSP, ASP, and SAT Solvers
- A.3 Configuration Environments
- A.4 Benchmarks
- A.5 Lexicons and Databases
- A.6 Journal Special Issues
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: March 31, 2014
- Language: English
AF
Alexander Felfernig
Alexander Felfernig is professor of Applied Software Engineering at the Graz University of Technology. In his research he focuses on the areas of knowledge-based configuration and recommender systems. He has written over 150 articles in this area.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor of Applied Software Engineering, Graz University of Technology, AustriaLH
Lothar Hotz
Lothar Hotz is a researcher at the University of Hamburg. In his research he focuses on knowledge representation issue within the context of knowledge based configuration. He is the author of several books and articles in artificial intelligence
Affiliations and expertise
Researcher, Universitat Hamburg, GermanyCB
Claire Bagley
Claire Bagley is the Research & Development Director of the Advanced Constraint Technology group at Oracle. In her research and development, she focuses on the application of constraint technology in the industry and specifically but not exclusively in Supply Chain Management business domains such as Configuration applications.
Affiliations and expertise
Research & Development Director, Advanced Constraint Technology, Oracle, USAJT
Juha Tiihonen
Affiliations and expertise
Researcher, Aalto University, FinlandRead Knowledge-Based Configuration on ScienceDirect