Session:

Product Configuration and Product Design (2)
Sunday, February 29, 2004, 17.15 – 17.40

Session Chair:

Robert Winter

Paper Title:

A Modular Product Data Structuring Model Improves the Product Life Cycle Management of Service Products in the Telecommunications Industry

Author(s):

C. Borgmann, Institute for Manufacturing Strategies (IMS) GmbH, Magdeburg, Germany
G. Hänßgen, Institute for Manufacturing Strategies (IMS) GmbH,Magdeburg, Germany

Abstract:

We have developed and implemented an object-oriented model that covers a holistic product view of physical and service products. The introduction of the object view for all parts of a product deviates significantly from the popular material based description of product structure which is embodied in ERP systems realised by the method of part lists in particular. Using the functional view all product parts need to be allocated to five distinctive function groups. This grouping already defines specific aspects for the product construction sequences. In this newly developed product structure model we have linked significant elements of the well-known modular system with the function orientated methodology of the value engineering. The first defines modules, which consist of clearly defined relations. The latter is based on a functional model. Combining both methodologies we can define functional modules, which integrates the relationships as well as the values of the functional model. The advantage becomes particularly clear with more complex products. With this model, the product term could be extended also to services and thus cover even non-physical components. The implementation in a telecommunication company proved that the automation of customer centric processes can be achieved if the product design includes the coding of human knowledge.