How UD Methods Work
A UD method follows a defined sequence of operations. It receives or accesses relevant inputs, applies business logic, and produces an outcome that the configurator or another supported process can use. Depending on the implementation, a method may be invoked by a configuration event, rule, or other configured interaction.
For example, when a user selects a product size, a method could evaluate the selection, calculate the required material quantity, and provide the resulting value to a dependent field. The configurator then uses that output according to its configured behavior. Developers must follow the method interface and invocation mechanism supported by their specific Epicor environment.
UD methods differ from simple expressions because methods can organize multiple processing steps, while an expression typically evaluates a value or condition. A method may use expressions as part of its logic, and configuration rules may determine when certain behavior should apply.
Common Manufacturing Use Cases
UD methods are particularly useful when product configuration must reflect engineering requirements or company-specific manufacturing practices. They can help connect user selections with calculated values and validated product details.
- Engineering calculations: Calculate dimensions, material quantities, or component requirements from configured specifications.
- Selection validation: Evaluate whether selected options meet defined product compatibility or operating requirements.
- Dependent fields: Update calculated values or related configuration data based on changes to user inputs.
- Product-specific logic: Apply rules for particular models, variants, or manufacturing configurations.
- Output preparation: Prepare calculated or validated values for supported configurator outputs and downstream transactions.
Consider a product that requires 3 support brackets per assembly and a customer selects 8 assemblies. A method using those assumptions can calculate 3 × 8 = 24 brackets. The result can support component planning when the configurator connects the calculated quantity to the relevant product or order data.
Designing and Testing UD Methods
Effective method design begins with a clear description of the requirement. Developers should identify the inputs, expected output, applicable business conditions, and point at which the method should execute. This definition helps product engineers and developers confirm that the implemented behavior matches the intended manufacturing process.
- Define inputs and outputs: Document required fields, data types, returned values, and any expected changes.
- Validate business logic: Compare the implementation with approved engineering specifications and product rules.
- Test boundary values: Check minimum and maximum dimensions, quantity thresholds, and conditional combinations.
- Verify execution: Confirm that the method runs at the intended stage and that dependent values update correctly.
- Maintain version records: Document changes and retest affected product configurations after revisions.
Testing should cover representative product variants as well as changes to inputs that influence several downstream fields. Where configured results feed quotations, orders, or bills of materials, validate the saved output against the expected values.
Relationship with Epicor ERP and Finance Workflows
In an epicor environment, custom configurator logic should align with the ERP data structures and processes that consume the resulting product information. Epicor ERP is an enterprise resource planning platform that connects business functions, while Epicor ERP Modules support different operational areas. The exact connection between configurator methods and ERP transactions depends on the deployed product and implementation.
Financial workflows may use product and order data to support transaction processing, cost allocation, and reporting. Epicor Integration Finance describes the connection between Epicor data and financial operations. Consistent configuration outputs can help downstream teams work with accurate product details when integrations and mappings are correctly established.
Separate finance automation can complement these ERP workflows. The Hyperbots Platform supports company-specific ERP integrations, workflows, roles, and general ledger structures through configurable capabilities. Its Process Specific Capabilities support AI automation tailored to defined finance processes, while Ready to Deploy Capabilities include pre-trained agents and pre-built ERP connectors.
Self Learning Capabilities allow finance co-pilots to adapt based on human actions, and Human in the Loop workflows provide review, approval, and feedback. These capabilities support downstream finance activities rather than replacing the configurator-specific logic implemented through UD methods.
For example, after a configured product is sold, finance teams may need to match customer payments with invoices and remittance details before posting receipts. How Hyperbots AI Agents 10x Epicor Finance Operations and Closing Epicor Finance Gaps with Hyperbots AI Agents discuss how AI agents can support these related finance workflows.
Summary
Epicor Configurator UD Methods provide a way to implement custom procedural logic for product configuration in supported Epicor environments. They can calculate values, validate selections, and coordinate dependent configuration behavior according to manufacturing requirements. Clear specifications, compatible method interfaces, representative testing, and reliable ERP data mappings help ensure that configured outputs support engineering, production, order processing, and related financial workflows.