cet - downloads.configura.comdownloads.configura.com/company/whitepaper_cet_platform.pdfthe platform...

THE PLATFORM FOR THE FUTURE OF SPACE PLANNING

CETWHITE PAPER

3CET PLATFORM / WHITE PAPER

CONTENTSIntroduction 3

A complete solution 4

Create 6

Control 10

Market 14

Use 18

This is Configura 23

Configura Extension Technology (CET) is the found-ation of our technology. Together with other solutions from Configura, it creates an integrated platform that gives unmatched service to our customers and partners.

The ultimate purpose of the CET platform is to support the implementation and use of world-class business solutions built around our proprietary software, CET Designer.

Also, because the business strategy around the CET platform is based on a “many-to-many” business model - with the e-commerce solution Marketplace in its center - we want to attract potential partners by offering them a large group of CET Designer users. In turn, our partners can offer a large variety of Extensions and services to users. This will, in turn, generate new users and consequently, attract new partners.

SUPER-EFFICIENT PROGRAMMING LANGUAGEThe basic foundation of the whole CET platform is our super-efficient programming language, CM.

The CM programming environment allows instant, incremental change to a running program. The traditional view is that rules described in code are difficult, complicated and expensive to modify. This is true only when using traditionally slow and cumbersome programming environments. CM programming makes rule maintenance effortless and instant, and any change can be verified immediately by trying it out in the live running application. CM rule change may be even faster than data-base-based rule maintenance because the database usually needed to be published before the rule change can be verified in the application, and this process will typically require require several seconds, even minutes, or more. Code is also superior for rule description because it adapts gracefully to changing requirements. A DBMS rule set, on the other hand, requires non-trivial, cumbersome and complex restructuring operations and code adaption in the application.

Configura developed the CM programming language used throughout the CET Development environment because there is no programming language available in the commercial or open source space that will do what is required.

The platform has four areas:

INTRODUCTION TO THECET PLATFORM

Configura Sverige AB is a globally operating company with headquarters in Linköping, Sweden, and commercial operations in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Configura creates Parametric Graphical Configuration (PGC) software solutions, including CET Designer, for leading international companies and their dealerships. The software’s origin stems from the office furniture industry but the technology is perfectly suited for other industries that deal in configurable, complex products requiring space planning.

© 2016 Configura Sverige AB. All rights reserved.

CREATE

CONTROL

MARKET

USE

54 WHITE PAPER / CET PLATFORM CET PLATFORM / WHITE PAPER

A COMPLETE SOLUTION

MyConfigura

User permissions

Communication

Royalty

Supervisor

Licenseadministration

DeveloperCenter

Marketplace

Sell Buy

CET Designer

TrainingSupport

Network

Catalogue Creator

CET Developer

Catalogues

Extensions

Third-party products

Extension and Catalogue

management

CREATE CONTROL MARKET USE

When we talk about the CET platform, we do it from a ho listic, and value-creation perspective; Create, Control, Market and Use. For each functional heading, there are different types of typical users or roles.


We offer two main tools to implement new products or functionality into CET Designer. Generally speaking, CET Developer is used for more advanced products that need programming, while the Catalogue Creator is database driven and used for simpler products. However, these tools are ultimately used together.

CET DEVELOPER

CET Developer is a tool for an individual or organization to produce, maintain and publish an Extension, typically containing manufacturer’s product data and highly complex product logic and related behaviors.

With Extensions, in contrast to Catalogues, we have unlimited possibilities to describe how products interact in a larger system of products. An important success factor, when creating a PGC* solution, is the degree to which the products are structured through logical modules and/or components. A well-structured product is easier to implement into programming code and also easier to maintain. This type of Extension is called a product Extension. In addition to product Extensions, one can create util-ity Extensions. These are “containers” of additional functionality to CET Designer. Examples of utility Extensions include 3D PDF, Movie Studio, and integration to other programs like Sketchup, Revit Architecture and other third-party products.

Our Catalogues and PGC solutions (Extensions) are complementary and ideally used together. Catalogues is a great initial step to enter products because it is fast and cost-effective. PGC functionality and intelligence then can be added on top of the more complex product to enhance user experience and reduce errors. Conversely, some organizations that already have implemented the PGC solution for complex products may stand to benefit using Catalogues for their other, simpler product lines.

CREATE

We offer two main tools to implement new products or functionality into CET Designer. Generally speaking, CET Developer is used for more advanced products that need programming, while the Catalogue Creator is database driven and used for simpler products. However, these tools are ultimately used together.

* PGC (Parametric Graphical Configuration) is a solution development framework for the implementation of quick, efficient, and intuitive graphical configuration software that is customized to specific products and solution domains.


CATALOGUE CREATORThe Catalogue Creator is a tool for an individual or organization to produce, maintain and publish a Catalogue containing a manufacturer’s product data and simple product logic.

The Catalouge Creator is a completely database-driven solution that has been created specifically to improve accessibility of our customers’ products in CET Designer. One fundamental aspect of the development has been to let our customers and partners create and maintain their own Catalogues, without any need for programming knowledge. It efficiently structures processes and packages product data. It also includes tools to improve quality of 3D models and their textures. All data is packaged into a product Catalogue and is published on Configura’s online Marketplace. This way, the Catalogue can be made accessible to all CET Designer users, or, if the manufacturer prefers, only to a limited group.

For a product to be suitable for Catalogues, it should be standalone by its nature, which means that it should have only limited opportunities to interact with its surroundings. One example of such a product is an office chair. Office chairs are available in a large number of options and executions. However, no matter the number of options for a given chair, the choices have no impact on the other components in the drawing.

The pure product data for advanced and more complex configurational products ideally can be described by using the Catalogues Creator format. Complex product rules and business logic will then be implemented using CM-programming.

THIRD-PARTY PRODUCTSThird-party products are provided by external partner organizations that develop specific software to be packaged in the form of an Extension and further integrated into a complete CET Designer solution. Examples of third-party products are functional product configurators, simulation modules, business intelligence, CRM, etc.

Catalogue Creator

CET Developer

Catalogues

Extensions

Third-party products


Our platform gives the owner complete control over their own brand, products and content. MyConfigura is the unifying component that ties together the different aspects of the platform and presents all you need in one convenient place.

MYCONFIGURAMyConfigura is a web portal that connects all of Configura’s cloud-based services. It allows handling of licenses, user and developer permissions, account information, Extension information and royalty payments. MyConfigura is also a community and communication channel provided by Configura. Because this functionality is online, these features can be accessed from anywhere and the changes can take effect instantly.

To use this service, you need a unique MyConfigura account. It is free to sign up. The same account is used across our entire platform, including to access CET Designer and CET Developer.

SUPERVISORThe Supervisor is the owner of an Extension and is handled on a manufacturing level. A Supervisor has full control over which users can access an Extension, which parts of an Extension a user can have access to (such as different product lines, price lists, etc), statistics about the Extension, the Extension info (such as logo, description and price) and also where royalty payments should be paid.

ROYALTYConfigura handles all payments and security around your Extension, and each month, Configura pays royalty (85 percent of the Extension price) to the owner of the Extension.

CONTROL

Being able to have full control over your users is a crucial part of our ecosystem.

Our platform gives the owner complete control over their own brand, products and content. MyConfigura is the unifying component that ties together the different aspects of the platform and presents all you need in one convenient place.


USER PERMISSIONSMyConfigura makes it simple to manage Extensions as it gives the Supervisor full control over who can access an Extension and whether a user should have access to a specific part of an Extension (for example, special price lists or product lines).

LICENSE ADMINISTRATIONThe license administration capabilities simplify administration of multiple licenses at a company or dealership. It makes it easy to manage existing and new licenses, pull reports and see all paid and pending invoices. Anyone who buys more than one CET Designer license automatically becomes a license administrator. It is beneficial to have the same person buy all licenses for a company or dealership to get our discounted prices.

COMMUNICATIONMyConfigura also includes a communication channel called Briefcases. Anyone with a MyConfigura account can create their own Briefcases and invite colleagues to join. It is also possible to request an Extension-specific Briefcase that automatically adds and deletes whoever has access to that specific Extension. This is an easy solution to ensure information reaches the right people as the list will always be up-to-date.

DEVELOPER CENTERDevelopers will work in CET Developer to develop an Extension, but, once it is time to publish, they will push their product through the cloud-based Developer Center. The Developer Center enables your developers to publish an Extension, create beta versions and release updates. Developers and manufacturers can also access developer documentation as well as handle all billing information, user permissions, release notes and Marketplace information for their Extension – from anywhere in the world.

MyConfigura

User permissions

Communication

Royalty

Supervisor

Licenseadministration

DeveloperCenter

Extension and Catalogue

management


A crucial and probably the most important component in our business strategy around the CET platform is our e-commerce solution, Marketplace. That’s because the business strategy around the CET platform is built upon the principles of the “many-to-many” business model. The primary mission with our CET operations is to provide products and support in order to maintain a constantly growing Marketplace for buyers and suppliers of Extensions and Catalogues.

SELLMarketplace is where all of our customers and partners can sell and promote their Extensions and Catalogues to prospective users. Therefore, partners to Configura (content suppliers) want to have a Marketplace with as many potential customers (users of CET Designer) as possible.

BUYOn the other hand, Marketplace is where all users come to buy and find new Extensions and Catalogues. Therefore, the customers (users and manufacturers) want a marketplace with as many potential suppliers (partners) as possible. The more suppliers a customer can choose from, the lower the prices for the customer.

The end result is a ripple effect where more manufacturers and partners will result in more users that, in turn, will result in even

more manufacturers and partners.

MARKET

A crucial and probably the most important component in our business strategy around the CET platform is our e-commerce solution, Marketplace. That’s because the business strategy around the CET platform is built upon the principles of the “many-to-many” business model.


Marketplace

Sell Buy

Manufacturers

Partners Users

Marketplace

GROWTH MODEL FOR THE CET PLATFORM


We offer an all-in-one solution to the end-user. Even though the technology is a complex combination of multiple Extensions and Catalogues, this comp-lexity is hidden to the end user who only needs one program through the entire sales, design and order process.

CET DESIGNERCET Designer is where it all comes together. This is the main software through which Extensions and Catalogues are accessed. CET Designer allows users to drag and drop components into 2D and 3D virtual environments; behind the scenes, the software tracks components, calculates pricing and prevents user errors. The user can also create presentation materials of the design, including renderings, videos, paper views and 3D PDFs.

The user interface in CET Designer is radically easier to learn and to use compared to traditional catalog-driven user interfaces. The reason is our super-condensed UI where each symbol is heavily polymorphic. All previously entered information is reused. Each symbol senses where it is applied and makes automatic selections, presenting only relevant options to the end-user by interpreting the user’s intention through gestures or through dialog input.

NETWORKCET Designer has a tight-knit and active network of users around the world. All users automatically become members of the CET Designer Briefcase where weekly tips and release notes are posted and users can ask questions. Configura also hosts an annual CET Designer User Conference where users come together to share their experiences and learn new functionalities in the software.

On a manufacturing level, we have webinars every month with development updates. Also, in conjunction with the User Conference, we hold our semi-annual Partner Meeting. This is a roundtable event where Configura presents what is in the pipeline and all partners come together to discuss the future of CET Designer.

USE

We offer an all-in-one solution to the end-user. Even though the technology is a complex combination of multiple Extensions and Catalogues, this complexity is hidden to the end user who only needs one program through the entire sales, design and order process.

NUMBER OF EXTENSIONS ON MARKETPLACE

68


TRAININGConfigura offers many training opportunities throughout the year. We offer Beginner and Advanced training sessions both in-person and virtual, as well as customized trainings. Every month, we also have free webinars covering different topics about the software. Upon request, we also offer Extension-specific training sessions.

SUPPORTWe offer 24-hour support five days a week. Users either can call or chat with our support team, and we have the capability for support to remotely access a user’s computer in order to find a fast solution to the problem. Our support covers the core functionality of CET Designer, but it’s also possible to add Extension support. With Extension support, our staff are trained in a specific Extension’s functionality and can answer questions concerning those problems.

According to our users, Configura offers some of the best support in the industry. We’re very proud of this distinction, and we continually work to maintain this high standard.

CET Designer

TrainingSupport

Network


Known for efficiency, innovation and high quality, we at Configura are proud of our Swedish origin. During our 20-plus years in the business, we have grown outside Sweden’s borders and are now a global operating company with offices on three continents and thousands of users in more than 50 countries.

We value long-term relationships with all of our customers and are proud to work with some of the world’s leading manufacturers. We work closely with companies to help improve the design and order processes of manufacturers, dealerships and designers all around the world.

Working with us means you get the strength of a global company and the assurance of high-quality products and services. Contact us today to learn more about how you can get started.

SIMPLIFICATION IS WHAT WE DO

Grand Rapids

Göteborg Linköping

Kuala Lumpur

WE ARE CONFIGURAHEADQUARTERS

YEAR FOUNDED

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

SALES IN MILLION USD

CUSTOMERS WORLDWIDE

USERS WORLDWIDE

SWEDEN

1990

125

$13

50+

10,000+

confi

gura

.com

Configura Sverige AB Storgatan 13, Box 306SE-581 02 Linköping, Sweden Tel. +46 13 37 78 00 Fax +46 13 37 78 [email protected]

Kyrkogatan 4 SE-411 15 Göteborg, Sweden Tel. +46 31 13 48 [email protected]

Configura Inc. 100 Grandville Ave SW Ste 501 Grand Rapids, MI 49503Tel. +1 616 242 6262Fax +1 616 242 6263 [email protected]

Configura Pacific Sdn Bhd Suite 17-13, Floor 17, GTower 199 Jalan Tun Razak50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel. +603 2171 [email protected]

cet - downloads.configura.comdownloads.configura.com/company/whitepaper_cet_platform.pdfthe platform...

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