This activity is used to create and maintain formulas for use in the configuration back office rules. A configuration formula allows you to define a mathematical expression using configuration values or quantities, mathematical operators, SQL functions, or other formulas to calculate a value used during back office evaluation.
Note: Characteristics which are of the type informational cannot be used in configuration back office rules and they cannot be used in configuration formula as well.
The formula is comprised of element lines. Each element represents one piece of the mathematical expression that makes up the formula. Elements are defined by their item type. Possible item types are shown below.
| Item Type | Description |
| Operator | A mathematical operator, including the following values: + Plus, - Minus, / Divide, * Multiply, ( Open Paranthesis, ) Close Paranthesis and , Comma. |
| Built-in Function | A common SQL function used for numeric operations, for example, ABS, a function to return the absolute value of an expression, e.g., ABS(2). |
| Value | A numeric constant entered into the formula (e.g., 2.5). |
| Characteristic Value | The value of a configuration characteristic, either from the configuration of the evaluated part or DECLARED during back office rule evaluation. |
| Characteristic Quantity | The value of a configuration characteristic quantity, either from the configuration of the evaluated part or DECLARED during back office rule evaluation. |
| Formula | Other formulas defined for the configuration family. A formula can call other formulas. |
| Combination | The value of the combination table ID to be used as an element in this formula. The combination table must belong to the same family as the formula it is used with. |
| Custom Attribute | Custom attributes are used in compatible unit template configurations. The options available include Duration for work lists and Planned Quantity for Resources and Materials. |
By placing elements into a sequence, a formula is created to calculate a numeric value. An example of a simple configuration formula is shown below.
| Item Type | Item | Test Value |
| Characteristic Value | WIDTH | 5 |
| Operator | * Multiply | |
| Characteristic Value | HEIGHT | 3 |
When tested, the above example formula evaluates to WIDTH * HEIGHT or 5 * 3 = 15. At execution time, the configuration characteristic values WIDTH and HEIGHT from the current configuration evaluation are substituted into the formula.
To create a new configuration formula in status Incomplete, create a new record and enter information about the formula that should be created. A configuration family which defines the set of configuration characteristics that can be used within this formula is chosen. To create an element for the configuration formula create a new item in the Element section and enter an item type and an item. If the item type is either Characteristic Value or Characteristic Qty, you should also enter a test value to be used for testing the formula. This is used to simulate an actual value from a configuration. Continue entering formula elements as described above until the formula is composed.
When determining the impact of a change to a configuration formula that is used in multiple places it can be useful to view the information in the Configuration Formula Where Used page that opens after clicking Where Use.
As a result of this activity, a formula is created for use in the configuration back office rules.