Parametric configurators are typically comprised of the following components:

	User Interface Module
	Modeling Module
	The Product Database
	Intelligent Graphics Module
	Parametric Report Generator Module
	Internet Enablement Module

 The User Interface Module

The user interface module is part of the front-office solution that dictates the look-and-feel of what the user sees. The user interface is the window into the system that allows a salesperson to easily enter customer requirements, configure accurate products, and present the most appropriate marketing and product information to guide the customer. The user may be asked questions with either optional or mandatory responses. The questions may offer a pull-down menu of choices, a default or a free-form answer field. Colors and font types may be used to draw the user’s attention to important fields. The user interface is not only the cosmetic layer that is seen by the customer and salesperson but is a sophisticated intermediary that facilitates stimulating and comfortable human interface with the configuration logic/engine.

The Modeling Module

The modeling module of parametric configurators is used to define the engineering design rules and logic, the product rules, the pricing and the bill of material routings etc. It is the "back-office" piece of software that is typically used by the engineering department and which defines a virtual model containing the "what, how and why" description for configuring the product. Configuration logic in this virtual model can contain engineering calculations to translate customer specifications to product characteristics, geometry definitions to take into account spatial constraints, or exception rules that invalidate unprofitable or otherwise undesirable orders. Parametric configurators vary on their approach to this module with often far-reaching consequences for the users. Some parametric configurators use a WYSIWIG modeling system that avoids the need for compiling and traditional testing procedures required by programming languages, while others require intensive programming development to customize them to the customer’s application. The customer should evaluate the frequency and level of manipulation and control they require over the configurator when evaluating parametric configurators. Unless the modeling module is based on a WYSIWIG approach, the customer may be faced with costly and cumbersome changes to the configurator in the future when needed.

 The Product Database

The product database contains the product component information such as parts lists, base costs, discount formulas, supplier information, supplier information, availability dates, manufacturing information, etc. These databases may be dispersed within the organization and managed by departmental personnel (e.g., purchasing for supplier information and base costs, sales management for pricing structures, production for manufacturing information, etc.) The product database frequently resides within an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system and is integrated with the configurator.

 The Intelligent Graphics Module

Some parametric configurators are able to generate engineering drawing from the responses given in the user interface. They may provide the delivery of automated production quality drawings and documentation that can be delivered at point of sale or exported to other CAD tools using the industry standard DXF format. Furthermore, they may provide 3D product visualizations such as photorealistic renderings and geometry to feed walkthroughs and animations.

 Parametric Report Generator Module

The report generator module allows the salesperson to create product proposals and reports that reflect the configuration needs of the customer.

 Technology features typically found in parametric configurators:

	Platform neutral technology including HTML, ActiveX, Java and others
	Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) for linking to existing databases
	Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)
	Dynamic Link Library (DLL)