Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining businesses rules in a configuration system are disclosed. The presently disclosed system allows systems to be configured using a plurality of rules that are syndicated by a plurality of different manufacturers. Each manufacturer syndicates a portion of the overall system attributes and/or configuration rule set for use by others. Configuration users, such as the sales channel, may then create additional rules and/or configure products with the most recent version of the component attributes and configuration rules, and no single entity is burdened with maintaining the entire attribute and/or rule set.

Abstract: A dynamic document generator system and method provides a web-based visual editor which includes a drag-and-drop mechanism structured to facilitate generation of a markup language version of a dynamic document including data indicative of a dynamic field. The markup language version of the dynamic document is then converted to a stylesheet version of the dynamic document. The stylesheet version of the dynamic document is deployed via a wide area network, wherein a plurality of different users are able to execute the deployed stylesheet version of the dynamic document. When one user executes the dynamic document, the dynamic field takes on one value. When another user executes the dynamic document, the dynamic filed takes on another value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining businesses rules in a configuration system are disclosed. The presently disclosed system allows systems to be configured using a plurality of rules that are syndicated by a plurality of different manufacturers. Each manufacturer syndicates a portion of the overall system attributes and/or configuration rule set for use by others. Configuration users, such as the sales channel, may then create additional rules and/or configure products with the most recent version of the component attributes and configuration rules, and no single entity is burdened with maintaining the entire attribute and/or rule set.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for specifying and applying businesses rules in a product configurator are disclosed. The disclosed system enables a design-time user to specify a set of businesses rules for a product configurator using a table. The system then converts this table to software instructions to enforce those business rules. A run-time user may then execute the software instructions to configure one or more products that conform to those rules.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring a product using an array of configuration sets is disclosed. A user enters a size attribute indicating how many different versions of an attribute will be selected. The client device then displays multiple copies of a configuration set thereby allowing the user to select each attribute value independent of the other attribute values selected. Once the user's selections are complete, and all of the configuration rules are satisfied, the product may be built in accordance with the selected configuration parameters.

Abstract: A dynamic document generator system and method provides a web- based visual editor which includes a drag-and-drop mechanism structured to facilitate generation of a markup language version of a dynamic document including data indicative of a dynamic field. The markup language version of the dynamic document is then converted to a stylesheet version of the dynamic document. The stylesheet version of the dynamic document is deployed via a wide area network, wherein a plurality of different users are able to execute the deployed stylesheet version of the dynamic document. When one user executes the dynamic document, the dynamic field takes on one value. When another user executes the dynamic document, the dynamic filed takes on another value.