What is a product configurator?
A product configurator is software that assembles a custom product from rules instead of a fixed list. The customer or salesperson picks options, dimensions or parts; the configurator guards that only valid combinations arise and assembles the right product, with the bill of materials underneath. Ideal for products with many variants or custom work.
How does a product configurator work?
Instead of pre-defining every possible combination as a variant, you work with rules: options, dependencies and exclusions. Pick option A and option B becomes available while C drops out. That steers the user along only valid, producible combinations. The result is not a single choice but a complete, assembled product, with the right bill of materials and - in a good configurator - the right price straight away.
Configurator, variants and CPQ - the difference
Product variants are a fixed list of pre-defined combinations: fine for a handful of options, unworkable at hundreds. A product configurator assembles the product from rules instead of a list. CPQ is the broader flow around it: configure plus price plus quote. In short: variants = list, configurator = rules, CPQ = rules plus price plus quote.
When do you need a product configurator?
As soon as your products have too many options for a workable variant list, or wrong combinations lead to production errors. Think machine building, furniture and interior, windows and doors, packaging and project-based products. If you only have a few fixed options, variants are enough - a configurator adds little there.
A product configurator in Odoo
Standard Odoo has variants and a basic product configurator. For more complex rules, price build-up and a bill of materials that flows into production we build CPQ Builder: Odoo-native, it writes real Odoo records and a real bill of materials, no second system alongside. At IDD Parts and Decoflorall this runs live in the webshop and the office.
Fixed variant list vs product configurator
When a list no longer suffices:
| Fixed variant list | Product configurator | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of combinations | Dozens | Hundreds to thousands |
| Impossible combinations | Avoid manually | Rules block them |
| Maintenance | Each variant separately | One set of rules |
| Output | Chosen variant | Assembled product + BOM |
Frequently asked questions about product configurators
What is a product configurator?
Software that assembles a custom product from rules, so only valid combinations arise and you get the right product with a bill of materials straight away.
What is the difference with product variants?
Variants are a fixed list of pre-defined combinations; a configurator assembles from rules. With many options a list is unworkable and a configurator is the logical choice.
Does Odoo have a product configurator?
Standard Odoo has variants and a basic configurator. For complex rules, price build-up and a BOM into production we use CPQ Builder, Odoo-native.
Does a configurator work in the webshop too?
Yes. Customers configure within your rules, and a correctly assembled product with a bill of materials rolls out - the same logic as for your sales reps.
A configurator for your products?
In a short demo we show how your product logic runs as rules in Odoo - with a real bill of materials and the right price underneath.