Restricting Characteristic Value Domains In SAP Variant Configuration

The document explores the various methods and techniques available to restrict the domain of characteristic values in Variant Configuration. Methods will be presented and a best practice outlined.

Content Highlights

There are 6 different techniques available to restrict the domain of characteristic values in Variant Configuration. This document will discuss each technique in detail and offer insights into the benefits and pitfalls of each technique. In conclusion, a recommendation of the best practice will be made. This document is the precursor to the only worldwide CWG and SAP approved best practice for Variant Configuration techniques.

Table of Content

Foreword    
Introduction    
Background    
Description of Techniques    
Technique 1-Create 2 Unique Characteristics    
Technique 2-Utilize Preconditions to Hide the Values until Appropriate    
Technique 3-Specialize the Characteristic During Class Inheritance    
Technique 4-Overwrite the Characteristic During Assignment to a Class    
Technique 5-Utilize a Function Based Value Check Against a Ztable    
Technique 6- Utilize Constraint Based Modeling    
Comparison of Techniques    
Best Practice Recommendation    

About the author

Steve Schneider has been working with configuration technology since 1993. Although he has worked with multiple different configurators, he has focused on SAP since 1997. Steve has been an avid motorcyclist since 1970 and can also be found searching the world for good microbrew beers. Steve can be reached via email at banditrider@mei.net

Copyright Steve Schneider 2008. All rights reserved. This article may not be reproduced or distributed in any form without express written permission of the author.