Configuration & Variant Management
Control product families, options, variants, configuration rules, and effectivity from one connected PLM environment, then generate accurate configured BOMs without duplicating product structures.
Control product variants from one connected configuration workspace.
Nora IPLM helps teams compare product options, define effectivity rules, and open the exact configured structure needed for a customer, market, or model.
Instead of tracking variants in separate spreadsheets or duplicated BOMs, teams can validate choices, generate the right 100% BOM, and keep configuration decisions connected to the product structure.
The workflow keeps engineering, manufacturing, and downstream teams aligned around the same approved configuration data.
Static BOMs Work for Simple Products. They Break Down When Products Become Configurable.
As product families grow, teams often create separate BOMs for every model, option, market, and customer requirement. This creates duplicate data, repeated engineering work, and higher risk of inconsistency.
Duplicate BOMs
Separate BOMs appear for similar product variations, creating repeated product data.
Manual Updates
Teams repeat updates across multiple product structures instead of changing shared logic once.
Invalid Combinations
There is no reliable way to validate option combinations before release.
Limited Traceability
Teams struggle to connect customer orders to the exact final BOM that was built.
Conflicting Data
Outdated or conflicting product data can move downstream unnoticed.
Slower Launches
Repeated engineering changes delay decisions, releases, and product launches.
One Source of Truth for Every Product Configuration
Nora IPLM brings product families, options, configuration rules, BOMs, documents, revisions, and engineering changes into one connected environment.
Engineering, manufacturing, procurement, quality, and operations teams work from the same controlled product definition instead of disconnected spreadsheets, duplicated BOMs, and manual checks.
- Product scope: product families, models, options, features, and attributes.
- Configuration logic: 150% BOM structures, effectivity conditions, rules, and dependencies.
- Lifecycle context: parts, documents, CAD references, engineering changes, and approvals.
- Downstream output: manufacturing-ready configured BOMs for production and procurement.
Compare variants, highlight differences, and keep option decisions visible from one controlled view.
From 150% BOM to Accurate 100% Configured BOM
Nora IPLM uses a 150% BOM, also known as a Super BOM, to manage all possible components, modules, features, and options within a product family. Configuration rules then filter this complete structure to generate the exact 100% BOM required for a specific product variant.
Define the product family
Create a reusable structure for models, modules, and product lines.
Build the 150% BOM
Store all possible parts, features, assemblies, and options in one Super BOM.
Apply configuration rules
Use rules, dependencies, exclusions, and effectivity logic to control valid combinations.
Select the configuration
Choose customer, order, market, model, or feature-specific parameters.
Generate the 100% BOM
Produce the exact BOM needed for manufacturing, procurement, planning, and delivery.
Configuration controls built into connected PLM workflows.
Centralized Option and Feature Control
Manage product options, attributes, modules, and variant logic in one controlled PLM environment. Keep engineering, manufacturing, and operations aligned around the same product definition.
150% BOM / Super BOM Management
Maintain all possible components and options in a single product family structure instead of creating duplicate BOMs for every variation.
Rule-Driven Product Configuration
Use configuration rules, dependencies, exclusions, and effectivity logic to determine which options and parts are valid for each product variant.
Automatic Configured BOM Generation
Generate accurate 100% BOMs for specific orders, models, markets, or customer requirements without manually rebuilding product structures.
Variant Traceability
Trace each configured product back to its selected options, source BOM, rules, revisions, changes, and manufacturing output.
Engineering Change Control
Apply product changes once to shared structures and rules, then keep all affected configurations aligned through controlled lifecycle workflows.
Manufacturing-Ready Product Data
Give manufacturing, procurement, and suppliers the exact configuration they need, reducing confusion caused by incomplete or duplicated BOMs.
Connected PLM Workflow
Link configuration logic with parts, BOMs, documents, CAD references, change requests, approvals, and product lifecycle states.
Move from duplicated structures to controlled product logic.
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One BOM per variant
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Repeated parts and structures
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Manual updates across BOMs
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Hard to validate combinations
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Poor visibility across variants
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More engineering effort
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Higher risk of manufacturing confusion
- 01
One Super BOM for the full product family
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Reusable modules, options, and rules
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Shared product logic updated once
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Rules control valid configurations
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Traceability from option to BOM
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Faster configured BOM generation
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Accurate 100% BOM output for downstream teams
Configuration work becomes structured, traceable, and repeatable.
Without Structured Configuration Management
- Duplicate BOMs for every product variation
- Manual validation of product options
- Repeated engineering changes
- Disconnected spreadsheets and option lists
- Limited traceability from order to BOM
- Manufacturing teams receive unclear structures
With Nora IPLM
- One controlled product family structure
- Rule-based validation and dependencies
- Shared logic updated through PLM workflows
- Centralized configuration data
- Full visibility from selected options to configured BOM
- Manufacturing receives accurate 100% BOMs
Move Beyond Excel-Based Variant Tracking
Spreadsheets may work for a few product options, but they quickly become risky when variants, rules, revisions, and engineering changes increase.
Excel-based variant tracking often creates hidden complexity. Teams may not know which option list is current, which combinations are valid, or whether a change has been reflected across every affected product structure.
Nora IPLM replaces scattered spreadsheets and manually maintained BOMs with controlled, traceable configuration logic inside your PLM system.
Benefits
- Controlled product option definitions
- Rule-based validation instead of manual checking
- Revision and lifecycle control
- Change impact visibility
- Connected BOM, document, and CAD data
- Traceability from configuration decision to final product output
Scale product customization without adding operational complexity.
Reduce BOM Duplication
Avoid creating and maintaining separate BOMs for every product variation. Nora IPLM lets teams manage product complexity from one reusable structure.
Prevent Invalid Configurations
Configuration rules help ensure that only valid product combinations are selected, approved, and sent downstream.
Speed Up Variant Creation
Create new market-specific, customer-specific, or order-specific variants faster using existing platforms, options, and rules.
Improve Engineering Efficiency
Reduce repetitive engineering work by reusing product structures and applying changes across related variants more efficiently.
Increase Manufacturing Accuracy
Generate the exact 100% BOM required for production, procurement, and supplier communication.
Strengthen Lifecycle Traceability
Understand how each variant was created, which options were selected, which rules were applied, and which BOM was released.
Built for Manufacturers Managing Complex Product Families
Nora IPLM Configuration & Variant Management is ideal for teams that manage:
Configurable machinery and equipment
Industrial products with optional assemblies
Equipment sold in different regional versions
Customer-specific engineering requirements
Product platforms with reusable modules
Mechanical, electrical, and software-driven product variations
Manufacturing BOMs derived from engineering BOMs
Products with frequent engineering changes across many variants
Products currently managed through Excel-based option lists
Designed for Every Team Involved in Product Configuration
Engineering Teams
Reduce duplicate structures and manage product logic from one controlled environment.
Manufacturing Teams
Receive accurate configured BOMs for each order, market, or product variant.
Product Managers
Control product families, platform strategies, option availability, and market-specific variants.
Operations Teams
Reduce downstream confusion across procurement, suppliers, production planning, and delivery.
Quality and Compliance Teams
Trace configurations, changes, approvals, and released product structures across the lifecycle.
Leadership Teams
Scale product variety while reducing rework, errors, and operational complexity.
Connect Configuration Logic with Your Product Lifecycle
Unlike standalone configurators or spreadsheet-based processes, Nora IPLM keeps configuration logic connected to the product data that matters.
Options, rules, BOMs, CAD references, documents, changes, approvals, and lifecycle states remain part of one connected PLM workflow. This helps teams make better decisions and ensures downstream teams work from accurate product information.
Configuration control built for modern product teams.
PLM-Native Configuration Control
Nora IPLM manages configuration and variant logic directly inside the product lifecycle environment, keeping options, BOMs, changes, documents, and approvals connected.
Built for 150% BOM and Configured BOM Workflows
Create one Super BOM and automatically derive the correct 100% BOM based on selected rules, options, and conditions.
Simple Enough for Growing Teams
Nora IPLM helps teams move away from Excel-based variant tracking and manual BOM duplication without adding unnecessary enterprise complexity.
Connected from Engineering to Manufacturing
Configuration logic stays linked to product structures, lifecycle states, engineering changes, and manufacturing outputs.
Better Control Without Slowing Teams Down
Teams can scale product variety while maintaining accuracy, visibility, and lifecycle governance.
How Nora IPLM Configuration Works
Nora IPLM converts product complexity into a controlled configuration process. Teams define all possible options once, apply rules to filter valid combinations, and generate the exact BOM needed for each product variant.
Ready to Simplify Product Complexity?
Stop managing product variants through duplicate BOMs, disconnected spreadsheets, and manual checks. With Nora IPLM, your team can define product options once, validate configurations with rules, and generate accurate BOMs for every variant.