Abstract: Based on the theory of polychromatic graphs, a configuration model was developed for product mix with a mathematical model provided to establish accurately the configuration relationship between different complex product mix. Then, an improved ant colony algorithm was applied to the model for optimal solution, thus developing a prototype configuration/management system based on the model. The results indicated that the configuration model developed on the basis of polychromatic graph theory was able to describe accurately the configuration information, attributes of products and assembling relation between different complex product mix. Furthermore, the prototype system developed enabled the design of complex products to be parallelized, therefore, a new way was given to the collaborative design for users.