BigCommerce Configurable Items

You can use CSM’s item variations module to define an item’s variable characteristics then create additional items or item variants that represent the different configurations of these characteristics. You can also use this variation framework to create CSM listings; if you use the CSM listing wizard to create a new listing for the top-level or “parent” item, CSM will automatically create CSM listings for any “children” items or item variants that have been selected for inclusion in the CSM listing creation process.

Setup

The configurable item features in CSM utilize an updated item attribute structure that stores different attribute data types in separate tables. If you wish to create CSM listings for configurable items, you must enable this structure for the relevant sales channel:

• Open the sales channel you want to create configurable items.
• On the Listing Management FastTab, enable the Enable New Attribute Design field.

Configurable item listings also use the item variations module as the basis for listing creation. Accordingly, you must configure an item variation’s SKUs:

• Search Business Central for Item Variations and open the item variation for which you want to create configurable items.
• On the SKUs FastTab, choose the Functions ribbon, then choose the Generate SKUs action. CSM will build a value from the SKU item number and (if applicable) SKU variant code, then assign it in the SKU field on each If you intend to create CSM listings based on a configurable item’s variations, a SKU must be assigned on the relevant variation SKU lines. Alternatively, you may manually enter a value that identifies the item variation SKU as a unique record in the SKU field.
• Select all item variation SKU lines, choose the Functions ribbon, and then choose the Update SKU Status action to automatically update the SKU status for all selected lines to Active. SKUs are initially created with a status of Pending, but if you intend to create CSM listings based on a configurable item’s variations, you must update the status on the relevant variation SKU lines to either Active or No Replenish. Alternatively, you may manually select one of these values in the SKU Status field.
• If any item variations are maintained in a unit of measure other than the parent configurable item’s assigned unit, this information must be specified in the SKU Unit of Measure Code field.

Configurable Item Listings

The process of creating CSM listings for configurable items is no different than the process of creating CSM listings for non-configurable or simple items:

• Open the CSM sales channel record for which you want to create listings
• Choose the Listing ribbon, then choose the Wizard action
• On the first page of the wizard, enter the Business Central parent item in the Item field 

Note: if you are creating CSM listings for a configurable item whose variations exist as item variants, do not populate the Variant Code field in the listing wizard. If you assign a specific variant code, the listing wizard will create a single CSM listing for that item variant. If you leave the Variant Code field blank, the listing wizard will create CSM listings for all variants.

• Choose the Next button
• In the Sales Channel SKU field, enter a value that will identify the CSM listing as a unique record for the CSM sales channel. By default, CSM will assign a SKU in this field based on the values that were entered on the first page of the wizard, but you can modify this, if desired.
• Choose the Next button
• Choose the Finish button

New CSM listings are created for the top-level parent item and the item/variant “children” that represent different configurable variations. The assigned product type for these CSM listings differs between parents and children:

• Parent listings have an assigned channel product type of Configurable.
• Child listings have an assigned channel product type of Variation.

As part of this record creation, the parent/child relationship is maintained between these listings. You can view this relationship by opening the CSM listing that represents the parent item and reviewing the CSM Listing Children List FastTab. This FastTab presents all of the CSM listing records that exist as children to the parent. This FastTab will be empty on the child listings.

Configurable Item Attributes

In addition to creating the CSM listing records themselves, the listing wizard will automatically create CSM item attributes for the variable attributes that differentiate the child listings. The manner in which listing attributes are presented also differs between parent and child listings. On the CSM Listing Attribute List FastTab for the parent listing, a separate line will be presented for each configurable attribute that is used to define item variations. The attribute value on these lines, however, will remain blank. The CSM Listing Attribute List FastTab on child listings will include a line for each attribute, as well as the attribute values that are assigned to that particular child.

The CSM listing attributes that are created for configurable attributes are unique to each listing. There are no “shared” item attributes with BigCommerce. To use an example, if items 123, 456, and 789 all had a configurable attribute called COLOR, CSM would create three separate item attribute records identified as 123-COLOR, 456-COLOR, and 789-COLOR.

BigCommerce supports a variant option type called “swatch” that allows you to specify hexadecimal color values. If you have set up a configurable item attribute in Business Central that represents color, you can send it to BigCommerce as a swatch-type attribute:

• On the CSM listing record for the parent item, in the CSM Listing Attribute List FastTab, choose the configurable attribute that represents color.
• In the Display Type Big field, choose Swatch
• Open the CSM sales channel record for BigCommerce
• Choose the Related ribbon, then choose the Listing menu and choose Channel Item action.
• On the CSM Item Attributes page, choose the configurable item attribute that represents the listing’s color. Remember that a unique CSM item attribute record is created for each listing’s configurable attributes.
• Choose the Edit action in the ribbon. The CSM Item Attribute Card page opens.
• In the General FastTab, choose the Swatch option in the Display Type Big field.
• In the Item Attribute Options FastTab, enter the hexadecimal color value for each color option in the External Reference field. The format of this value should be a hashtag followed by a combination of six characters. For example, #EBEBEB.

Note: if you assigned hexadecimal color values to the related item variation option values, this information will be automatically copied to the item attribute options when they were created.

Sending Configurable Item Listings to BigCommerce

The same setup activities and requirements that can be performed for any listing are relevant for configurable items. For example, the requirement that a long description exist for a CSM listing before it can be sent to BigCommerce applies to configurable items. Setup activities and additional information only need to be entered for the configurable, parent item.

It is necessary to perform three separate data export activities to properly send a configurable item, its variable options and their values, and the configurable children records to BigCommerce. All three actions can be performed from the CSM listing for the configurable, parent item. Choose the Actions ribbon, then choose the Channel Integration menu and execute the following functions in order:

• Send Listing Base Info to Channel: this will send basic information about the configurable item to BigCommerce. A new product will be created in your BigCommerce platform based on the listing’s information. BigCommerce will assign a unique identification number to this record; this value will be retrieved by CSM and presented in the External ID field on the listing’s Listing Status FastTab.
• Send Attribute Values To Channel: this will send the listing’s configurable options and their values to BigCommerce. This information is assigned to the BigCommerce product anduct, and can be viewed in the Variations section of the BigCommerce product BigCommerce will assign a unique identification number to each option and option value; CSM retrieves this information and updates the relevant lines on the CSM listing’s CSM Listing Attribute List FastTab as well as the related CSM item attributes accordingly. Note: this action will also send any static, non-configurable attributes and their values to BigCommerce.

• Send Config Children To Channel: this will send the listing’s children to BigCommerce, where they can be viewed in the Variations section of the BigCommerce product record. These children are not created as separate BigCommerce products, but rather variants of the original, top-level item. BigCommerce will assign a unique identification inventory and SKU number to each configurable child; these values will be retrieved by CSM and presented in the External Inventory ID and External SKU ID fields on the child listing’s Inventory Information FastTab. In addition, the External Requires Update field for all child listings will be turned off.

Product Listing Availability

The process of updating BigCommerce with a product listing’s availability is no different for configurable items as other listings. You can calculate channel availability for CSM listings for child items, then send this information to BigCommerce. The stock quantities for the relevant product variants are updated accordingly.

Updating Configurable Option Values

It may be that you wish to add configurable option values over time. For example, suppose we have a configurable option called “Color” set up in Business Central, with option values of Red, Blue, and Yellow. At some point, we want to add Green to this list of option values. In this scenario, it is necessary to update a number of records.

Create and Explode New Item Variation SKUs

If you are using the item variations framework to manage your configurable items, you must add the new item variation option value, then use this information to create a new item or item variant in Business Central:

• Open the item variation that you want to update
• Add the new item variation option value to the desired option.  The manner in which you enter this information depends on whether the item variation option is linked to a Business Central item attribute. 
• On the Item Variation Card page, choose the Actions ribbon, then choose the Create Item Variation SKUs action. The system will enter new lines for the new configurable option value in the SKUs FastTab.
• Choose the Actions ribbon, then choose the Explode SKUs action
• Choose the OK button

Business Central records are created for the new variation SKUs.

• On the SKUs FastTab, choose the Functions ribbon, then choose the Generate SKUs action. CSM will build a value from the SKU item number and (if applicable) SKU variant code, then assign it in the SKU field. If you intend to create CSM listings based on a configurable item’s variations, a SKU must be assigned on the relevant variation SKU lines. Alternatively, you may manually enter a value that identifies the item variation SKU as a unique record in the SKU field.
• With the new item variation SKU selected, choose the Functions ribbon, then choose the Update SKU Status action to automatically update the SKU’s status to Active. SKUs are initially created with a status of Pending, but if you intend to create CSM listings based on a configurable item’s variations, you must update the status on the relevant variation SKU lines to either Active or No Replenish. Alternatively, you may manually select one of these values in the SKU Status field.

Update the CSM Item Attribute Values

Once you have added a new item variation option value, you must update the corresponding CSM item attribute accordingly:

• Open the CSM sales channel record for which you want to update item attribute values
• Choose the Related ribbon, then select the Listing menu and choose the Channel Item Attributes action
• Select the CSM item attribute you want to update, then choose the Edit action in the ribbon
• Choose the Actions ribbon, then select the Data Synch menu and choose the Synch Option Values action. Newly added attribute values will be added to the Item Attribute Options FastTab.

Create New CSM Listings and Send Information to BigCommerce

A CSM listing must be created for each new item variant that has been added to the list of the configurable item’s children:

• Open the CSM sales channel record for which you want to update item attribute values.
• Choose the Related ribbon, then select the Listing menu and choose the Channel Listings action.
• Open the top-level parent configurable item listing you want to update. 
• Choose the Actions ribbon, then select the Data menu and choose the Synchronize Item Variations action.

New CSM listings will be created for the newly added attribute value. These listings will be added to the lines on the configurable item’s CSM Listing Children List FastTab.

Now that you have updated the CSM item attributes and CSM listings, you can send this information to BigCommerce:

• From the CSM listing for the configurable, parent item, choose the Actions ribbon, then choose the Channel Integration menu and execute the following functions in order:
  • Send Attribute Values To Channel: this will send the new configurable option value to BigCommerce. This information is assigned to the BigCommerce product and can be viewed in the Variations section of the BigCommerce product record. BigCommerce will assign a unique identification number to each option value; CSM retrieves this information and updates the relevant lines on the CSM listing’s CSM Listing Attribute List FastTab as well as the related CSM item attributes accordingly.
  • Send Config Children To Channel: this will send the new listings to BigCommerce, where they can be viewed in the Variations section of the BigCommerce product record. These children are not created as separate BigCommerce products, but rather variants of the original, top-level item. BigCommerce will assign a unique identification inventory and SKU number to each configurable child; these values will be retrieved by CSM and presented in the External Inventory ID and External SKU ID fields on the child listing’s Inventory Information FastTab.

Retrieving Configurable Items from BigCommerce

Executing the load products from channel action for a sales channel retrieves all products from the connected eCommerce platform and creates corresponding CSM listings in Business Central. This includes any configurable items that you have set up in BigCommerce. CSM creates a number of different records in Business Central for each retrieved configurable item:

• CSM listings are created for the top-level parent configurable item as well as each child variation.
• CSM listing attributes are created for the configurable item’s variable These attributes are assigned to the newly created CSM listing records.

As with any CSM listing that is retrieved from BigCommerce, it is necessary for you to associate configurable item listings to Business Central items or variants by using the Type and No. fields on the General FastTab to select the relevant record.

It is also possible for you to retrieve configurable attributes and children from BigCommerce for an existing CSM listing. The listing must have the following values:

• Channel Product Type: this is set to Configurable.
• External ID: this is populated with a value that connects the listing to a BigCommerce product

Choose the Actions ribbon, then choose the Retrieve Information from Channel menu and execute the following functions in order:

• Get Configurable Attributes: this retrieves the product’s configurable attributes and their values. New CSM listing attributes are created for these records. In addition, these attributes are assigned to the configurable CSM listing.
• Get Variants for Listing: this retrieves the configurable variations that exist for the product in BigCommerce. These variations are entered as separate CSM listings in Business Central. These listings are structured as children of the top-level parent configurable listing. The relevant attributes and their values will also be assigned to each new CSM listing.