With the introduction of S/4HANA, SAP has also created a completely new variant configuration platform (VC). On the surface, this hardly differs from the "classic variant configuration", especially in the GUI. However, a completely new engine optimized for HANA is now running in the background, which not only makes modelling more efficient, but also improves performance, for example when simulating large models with many characteristics and deep BOM structures.
The reasons for using VC have not changed. They are only getting stronger with increasing globalization and customer orientation and thus also the demand for lean, efficient solutions to intelligently map product diversity in master data and business processes. End customers are placing ever greater demands on the flexibility and individuality of products. This almost inevitably creates the need to be able to respond more quickly to customer wishes in order to remain competitive in the market. This goes hand in hand with an increase in product variance.
These are the advantages of AVC
The individualization of products down to the smallest batch sizes requires efficient management of variance over the entire product life cycle. The SAP solution offers the following highlights:
- New analytical evaluation options for real-time data
- Acceleration of existing functionality
- New UI experience
- Simpler relationships
- Multi-value relationships
- State-of-the-art modeling environment
S/4HANA embedded analytics can be used to efficiently evaluate characteristic-value combinations. Business objects (e.g. sales orders, key figures) are provided as CDS query views (virtual data models).
The new variant configuration is not only faster, better and more efficient, but also simpler. A general simplification has gone hand in hand with the introduction of the new solution. Processes are simplified by deactivating obsolete and redundant functions. Modeling is simpler, the error rate is reduced and the consistency of the models is increased at the same time.
The improved UX (user experience) can be seen in the new FIORI app "Simulate Variant Configuration", among other things. A role-based Advanced Variant Configuration Simulation Environment is being planned. SAP is continuing to develop the tool, so a look at the roadmap is promising. The new state-of-the-art algorithms were also developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute.
With the Advanced Variant Configuration Engine (AVC), SAP offers a modernized variant configuration that enables the individualization of products down to the smallest batch sizes and ensures efficient management of variance over the entire product life cycle.
