Purchasing Items with Attributes

The Product Attributes option within EBMS is primarily used to identify specific inventory IDs based on the item's attributes when selling product to a customer. Although the attribute tools are primarily used when selling items to a customer, the way the product is purchased influences the way inventory items are organized within the EBMS product catalog. Determine which of the following ways the product is sold from the vendor:

1. The vendor's part number only defines the general item and does not define the attributes such as color, size, and style. Use the Configure-To-Order (CTO) feature of EBMS for this type of product. Review the Configure-To-Order Kitting > Overview of the CTO Process section for more details.

2. The vendor lists a product part number for each combination of product attributes: This option requires a large number inventory records for a model of product. The benefits of individual part numbers for each combination is as follows:

1. The vendor part number contains both the supplier's SKU# and the barcode number for each item

2. EBMS will track sales history for each combination of attributes

3. The inventory stock levels of each item is managed within the EBMS software

4. Pricing is managed individually

Complete the following steps to set up inventory records for each combination of product attributes:

1. Create an inventory folder for the group of similar items. Set the folder defaults appropriately.

2. Configure the attribute labels for the group of items. Review the Product Attributes > Attribute Setup section for attribute setup for a folder.

3. Create inventory items for each combination of product attributes handled by the vendor or supplier: Similar inventory items can be duplicated using the Create Duplicate option. Open an inventory item, right click on the Inventory ID, and select Create Duplicate from the context menu as shown below:
   

Make minor changes for the new inventory item and change the Inventory ID at the end of the wizard. Make the appropriate changes to the Product Attribute Settings. Review the Entering Item Attributes section for more details.

Review Selling and Purchasing Items with Attributes > Using Attributes within a Sales Order or Quote to select items using the product attribute options.