Introduction
The Model Definition app in the Product Manager (PDM) role allows you to seamlessly manage the definition of products with high variability, complex set of configuration rules and product configurations representing specific product offerings.
This blog explains a few recent enhancements introduced in R2026x FD02 release, that can help you in reducing the time required for accurately defining the product configurations and efficiently managing associated effectivities.
1) Enhanced Visibility in Summary View of the Configuration Tab
The Configuration tab in the Model Definition app displays a complete list of all Base Configurations and their associated Product Configurations for the selected Model Version.
The user experience of this app has been improved to display the Primary Variants and their selected values. These details are visible for each Base Configuration and its associated Product Configuration. A separate column has been added to the view to display these details in an organized manner.
Furthermore, the new Primary Variants column also allows you to sort and filter the list of displayed configurations as needed.
Image 1: Primary Variants & Selected Values in Summary View
2) Collaborate effectively Using Comments
A new Comments tab is introduced in the Information panel for various Model Definition objects such Matrix Rules and Base Configurations.
This capability is particularly useful for teams collaboratively authoring product definitions, as it enables discussions to happen directly in the context.
Users can also mention stakeholders in comments to quickly notify them and keep them informed. Upon clicking on that notification, stakeholders are redirected to the exact object in context, helping improve communication and accelerate collaboration.
How it works?
In a Matrix Rule or Base Configuration, you can select a specific cell in the table and add comments directly in its context. The selected cell value (for example, U-1000 in the below image) is automatically captured in the comment, making it easier to provide precise feedback.
You can also mention stakeholders in these comments to notify them and convey precise information.
Image 2: Commenting on a Specific Cell of a Matrix Rule
Image 3: Commenting on a Specific Cell of a Base Configuration
3) Using Numerical Parameters in Expression Rule
You can now create Expression Rules using numerical parameters, that will:
Make a numerical parameter mandatory based on specific variability selections.
Automatically assign an exact value to a numerical parameter when certain variability conditions are met.
This minimizes manual effort and human errors. It also allows you to build robust product configurations by driving numerical attributes directly from variability logic.
Image 4: Expression rule to Make a Numerical Parameter Mandatory Based on Variability Selections
Image 5: Expression Rule to Automatically Set a Numerical Parameter Value Based on Variability Selections
