KPI, or Key Performance Indicator, is a metric that is used to evaluate the performance of a system...
Enhance Debugging with an Intermediate Format for SAP to Tacton CPQ
When your converted model stops behaving as expected, where do you start looking?
Imagine this: your test suite flags an error. Sleeper Cab A should not be sold with Chassis L, but after the latest update, the configurator allows it. You know something went wrong, but is the problem in the SAP data, in your conversion tool, or inside the Tacton model itself?
Without visibility, debugging becomes a guessing game. That is why at cpq.se we recommend using an intermediate, human-readable format between SAP and Tacton CPQ. It serves as a transparent bridge between the two systems.
Why you need an intermediate format
Building a direct SAP-to-CPQ pipeline might sound efficient, until you have to explain why something fails. SAP rules, conversion outputs, and TCX models all use different representations. A shared intermediate layer brings them into a format that both developers and modelers can understand.
At cpq.se we often use an Excel-based rundown similar to traditional Tacton model overviews, but with additional information:
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Metadata that connects SAP characteristics to CPQ features
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Execution views that show how constraints are evaluated
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Clear rows for each feature combination, including error flags
How it helps you debug faster
When a problem appears, the workflow becomes much simpler:
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Open the intermediate file and locate the rows for Cab A and Chassis L.
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If the combination already looks wrong, the issue comes from SAP.
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If the combination looks fine, the issue appeared during or after conversion.
This makes it easy to pinpoint where in the process the problem began.
Building trust in your automation
The same file also builds trust in your conversion process. Seeing a structured, readable view of the configuration logic helps modelers, developers, and product owners understand what the automation is doing. It also allows teams to verify that the generated model actually reflects the intended logic.
A tool for more than debugging
Product owners can use the same Excel view to discuss product structure and dependencies. It provides an overview of available options that is much easier to grasp than raw SAP data or complex CPQ interfaces.
Key takeaway
A readable intermediate format is more than a debugging tool. It is a transparency layer that connects engineers, modelers, and business teams. It saves time, builds trust, and turns model conversion into a process that everyone can understand.
