Products Requiring Configuration

Introduction to Configurable Products

Configurable Products are those that are comprised of several different Component Products which are offered as a compatible set of choices, selected by the Customer when they are Ordering the Configurable Product. The way opentaps supports this Configurable Product structure is as follows:

"Defining the Base Configurable Product, and the Config Options which are Component Products"

• Base Configurable Product -- The base upon which the Configurable Product is offered is defined in [Catalog] > Product section as a Product having the Type "Configurable Good".
• Configurable Items ("Config Items") -- Component Products that are compatible and will be sold with the base configurable product are first defined in the [Catalog] > [Catalog Manager Application] menu > [Configurations] link in groups of similar type components called "Config Items". A Config Item is a type of component such as a hard drive for a computer, or floor mat options for a car.
• Config Options -- Each of the Config Items just defined (above) is then expanded, in the [Catalog] > [Catalog Manager Application] > [Config Items] > [Config Options] button, into a set of optional choices called "Config Options". Each Config Option is a real product of the type "Component Product" with it's own Product ID, and it's own page in the [Catalog], including the [Prices] page.
• Component Products -- These real products, often purchased from Vendors, for optional selection along with the base product when ordering a Configurable Product, are defined in the [Catalog] just like any other real product with inventory.
• Linking the Component Product to the Config Option -- In the [Catalog] > [Catalog Manager Application] > [Config Items] > [Config Options] button there is a menu box for linking a Component Product to the Config Option that will display for the Customer to make a selection of that Option.

"Adding the Config Items to the Configurable Product for Sale"

• Configuring the Product with the Configuration Items -- In the [Catalog] > Product section > [Configurations] Sub Tab there is a screen for specifying which of the previously defined "Config Items" will be the ones available as compatible (standard or optional0 Components to order along with the base Configurable Product

Once this specification is complete the Configurable Product can then be fully defined in all of it's Product section tabs, like any other real product, and put up for sale.