Expertise
Complexity cannot be solved within isolated disciplines.
Modularization, product configuration and system architectures address different challenges. They become robust only when their roles, decisions and handovers align throughout the entire lifecycle.
3 × 5
Areas of expertise × lifecycle phases
connected through five perspectives
Product · Process · Data · Systems · Organization
Integrated thinking instead of isolated solutions
Isolated optimization merely shifts complexity.
Highly configurable products create growth, differentiation and attractive margins – as long as the portfolio, product structure, configuration and systems are aligned. In many companies, however, these topics are addressed separately: modularization in engineering and/or product management, configuration in sales, and data and system integration in IT.
This creates local improvements, but rarely a sustainable end-to-end model. Three typical patterns show why isolated optimization merely shifts complexity.
Modularization without end-to-end data models
It can produce well-designed modular products and improve the portfolio and product architecture. But if modules, rules and structures cannot be used consistently across sales, engineering and order fulfillment, an end-to-end model has not yet been created.
CPQ without clarified product logic
It digitizes existing inconsistencies. Even a powerful system cannot compensate for missing architecture decisions.
System integration without robust product structures
It connects applications technically, but does not resolve unclear objects, responsibilities, rules, data ownership or handovers.
Typical consequence
Designed modularly – but not usable end to end.
Technically sound modular products are created – in some cases supported by specialized modularization and methodology tools. But if their models, rules and data remain in an additional solution alongside PLM, ERP and CPQ, a permanent extra layer of maintenance and orchestration emerges. Interfaces, data models and process discontinuities shift complexity and drive costs up again elsewhere. This often makes a digital, fully automated configuration process from customer need to executable product structure harder rather than easier to achieve.
Our principle: Clarify the logic first, then the systems. The three areas of expertise combine market requirements, product architecture, configuration, data models and system roles into an implementable end-to-end model.
Business value logic
Align customer, product and process.
Scope, Enabler and Scale are not another service pillar. They show how customer needs, product architecture and scalable order fulfillment work together economically. Select a level to reveal the corresponding management decision.
Management question
Which variety creates tangible value for which customers?
To be clarified
Target segments, applications, customer value and process classes.
Contribution to the target
A clearly defined, economically justified solution space.
Shared target model
Market-relevant variety × manageable product logic = scalable order fulfillment
Customer proximity and differentiation with high repeatability and manageable internal variance.
Three areas of expertise
Three areas of expertise. Clear roles. Specific starting questions.
Each area of expertise has its own focus and typical starting questions. Together, they structure the solution space, make it usable in sales and represent it consistently through product structures, data models and system roles.
01
Modularization & Variant Management
Variety in the market. Simplicity within the organization.
Contribution: Structures the solution space.
Typical questions
- How can we reduce variant diversity without losing market potential or customer relevance?
- Which product and configuration structure supports MTS, ATO, PTO, CTO, CTO+, MTO and ETO?
02
CPQ & Product Configuration
From customer need to a robust quotation.
Contribution: Makes the solution space usable.
Typical questions
- How do we connect Guided Selling, configuration, pricing, approval and quotation into a robust process?
- How do we prevent a new CPQ system from merely digitizing existing complexity?
03
Product Structures & End-to-End System Consistency
Do not integrate systems first. Design the end-to-end model first.
Contribution: Represents the solution space consistently across systems.
Typical questions
- Which product, object and data models are required for sales, engineering and order fulfillment?
- Which responsibilities and data belong in PLM, CPQ, PIM and ERP?
- How can we validate the target model and data model early using a real pilot product?
Interaction across the product lifecycle
One integrated model across the entire product lifecycle.
The areas of expertise do not work sequentially or in isolation. They support market, development, sales, order fulfillment and service – including feedback into the next product generation.
Cross-functional perspectives for the matrix
These five perspectives form the shared review framework for every decision across the product lifecycle.
Areas of expertise across the product lifecycle
- Table rows
- Areas of expertise
- Table columns
- Lifecycle phases
- Perspectives
- Cross-functional review framework
Key insight: A robust end-to-end model connects the business decisions in each lifecycle phase with unambiguous objects, responsibilities and system roles.
Independent. Experienced. Implementation-oriented.
From an individual challenge to a robust end-to-end model.
Together, we develop a robust business target architecture – vendor-independent and aligned with your company’s actual product, process, data and system landscape.