Introduced in Feature Pack 3

Creating dynamic kits

You create a dynamic kit by adding components to the kit or by using Sterling Configurator to associate a model to the kit.

About this task

WebSphere Commerce EnterpriseNote: If you are using the extended sites model and are currently in the extended site store, you can add a dynamic kit to the extended site store from the asset store. To add the dynamic kit, copy an inherited asset store dynamic kit. When you copy the kit that you inherit from your asset store to the extended store, the copied kit becomes local to the store, not inherited.

WebSphere Commerce EnterpriseWhen you create a catalog entry in an extended sites store, either directly or by copying an inherited catalog entry, avoid specifying a code for the catalog entry that is a duplicate of an inherited catalog entry code. An extended site store catalog entry and a catalog asset store catalog entry can have the same code because the catalog entries belong to different stores. If duplicate codes exist, store functions that retrieve catalog entries by only the code value can behave unexpectedly or can result in an error. For example, if a store function uses the code to retrieve only a single catalog entry and instead finds two catalog entries that have the same code, an error can occur. Ensure that the code value that you set for any extended site store catalog entry does not exist for an inherited catalog entry. If your extended site store does include duplicate codes, use the Catalogs tool to change the codes for your extended site store catalog entries.

Procedure

  1. Open the Catalogs tool.
  2. From the explorer filter, select Master Catalog.
  3. Copy an existing dynamic kit, or create a kit:
    • To copy an existing dynamic kit, in the explorer view, click the category that the dynamic kit belongs to. See Finding a catalog entry for an example.
    1. In the list view, right-click the dynamic kit; then, click Copy.
    2. In the list view, right-click any field; then, click Paste.
      The dynamic kit properties view displays.
    3. Make any necessary updates to any required fields. See steps 6-10 for an explanation of each field.
      Restriction: To copy kits, you can also drag them from the main work area or utilities view into the explorer tree when you are using the Master Catalog filter. You cannot drag kits into the explorer tree when you are using the Master Catalog Categories filter or Sales Catalog Categories filter.
      A new dynamic kit is added with the same attributes as the original dynamic kit, unless you specify changes.
      Note: When you copy a dynamic kit, the offer price and merchandising associations for that dynamic kit, are not copied over.
    • To add an entirely new dynamic kit:
      • Click File > New > Kit
      • Click the Manage Kit tab.
    The Kit Properties view displays.
  4. Expand the General Information section. Complete the following information:
    PropertyDescription
    Kit Type Choose dynamic kit. This field is only available from the Manage Kit tab.
    Code The language independent catalog entry identifier.
    Name The name of the catalog entry
    Short description Type a brief description of the catalog entry.
    Long description Type a detailed description, if applicable.
    Keyword Type one or more keywords, which are separated by a comma and a space that describe the contents of the Web page. Some Internet search engines use these keywords to determine whether your page satisfies a search query. This field can be edited in multiple languages.
    Manufacturer Type the name of the manufacturer or vendor.
    Manufacturer part number Type the part number for the catalog entry, uniquely defined by the manufacturer. The part number is different from the code.
    Parent category (master catalog) The category to which an object such as a category, product, or dynamic kit belongs, or the catalog to which a top category belongs. See Moving a catalog entry for an example of how to change the parent category.
    Recurring order item Indicate whether the dynamic kit is available for a recurring order.
  5. Expand the Publishing section. Complete the following information:
    PropertyDescription
    For purchase Indicate whether customers can include the product in their shopping carts and order it. This check box is read-only and cannot be cleared if the entries for purchase are on auction.
    On special Indicates whether the catalog entry is on special.
    Announcement date Add the year, month, and day that the catalog entry becomes available to customers. Click the calendar icon to select a date. This is an informational field.
    Withdrawal date Add the year, month, and day that the catalog entry is removed from the catalog and is unavailable for customers to purchase. Click the calendar icon to select a date. This is an informational field.
  6. Expand the Display section. Complete the following information:
    PropertyDescription
    Display to customers Select this check box to indicate that customers can view this product in the storefront.
    Thumbnail Type the path to the thumbnail image and the name of the image, such as ../images/shirt.jpg. All image files must be placed in the store's defined image directory. Determining the correct image directory and whether you need an absolute or relative path depends on your store's configuration. For example, the WebSphere Commerce starter store images use a relative path that points to the default installation directory under the store name. Use of a relative path is most common. Use of an absolute path is dependent on your initial configuration. Ask a store developer with Site Administrator authority for the correct image directory if you are unsure. This field can be edited in multiple languages.
    Full image Type the path to the full-size image and the name of the image, such as ../images/shirt.jpg. All catalog entry image files should be placed in the store's defined image directory. The correct image directory and whether you need an absolute or relative path depends on your store's configuration. Ask a store developer with Site Administrator authority for the correct image directory. For example, the WebSphere Commerce starter store images use a relative path to the default installation path. This field can be edited in multiple languages.
  7. Expand the Pricing section. If you are integrating with Sterling Configurator, the following section does not display. Complete the following information:
    PropertyDescription
    List Price This price is intended for catalog display purposes only; it is not typically used as the actual price customers must pay. A store might display a list price above an offer price to show customers that they are getting a better deal with the offer price. One common use of the list price is to display the MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price). Your site can choose not to use a list price at all.
    Offer price

    The price at which the catalog entry is offered for purchase. Click New to add in a new offer price. Type a Minimum Quantity at which the catalog entry can be offered at this price. The maximum quantity is determined by the minimum quantity of the next range. For example, if the minimum quantity of a catalog entry to be sold at $35.00 is one, and the minimum quantity of the same catalog entry to be sold at $25.00 is 10, then the maximum quantity for the catalog entry to be sold at $35.00 is nine.

    Introduced in Feature Pack 2If your store uses price rules, the price at which the catalog entry is offered for purchase is set by a price rule. The price rule might use the price in this field as the offer price for this product. Alternatively, the price rule might adjust the price in this field, or calculate a price for this product by using a different price list, for example. Make sure that you are aware of how price rules are used in relation to this Offer price value before you add or update the price. The price in this field is stored in the default Offer Price list.
  8. Optional: Expand the Custom section. Complete the following information:
    PropertyDescription
    Field 1 (Integer) A customized field for your catalog entry data.
    Field 2 A customized field for your catalog entry data. The entry must be an integer.
    Field 3 A customized field for your catalog entry data. The entry must be a decimal number such as 5.345.
    Field 4 A customized field for your catalog entry data. The entry must be text.
    Field 5 A customized field for your catalog entry data. The entry must be text.
  9. Optional: Click the Search Engine Optimization tab to modify the SEO options for the dynamic kit.
  10. Optional: Click the Components tab to add components to your kit.
    Note: This tab does not display if Sterling Configurator is enabled for your store.
  11. Optional: If Sterling Configurator is enabled for your store, click the Configurator tab to associate a model with the dynamic kit. The Configurator tab displays only when Sterling Configurator is enabled for your store. To associate a model with the dynamic kit, follow these steps:
    1. In the Configurator tab, click the Visual Modeler button. The IBM Sterling Configurator Visual Modeler opens.
    2. Configure a model and click Compile in the toolbar. The model is created.
    3. Log off and close Sterling Configurator Visual Modeler.
    4. In the Configurator tab, type the name of the model and click Find and Add. The model is added to the Model table.
      Note: If you delete or change the model for an existing dynamic kit and the dynamic kit has predefined dynamic kits configured, the associated predefined dynamic kits are deleted.
    5. Click Configurable to allow shoppers to reconfigure the dynamic kit. If you do not select Configurable, shoppers cannot reconfigure the dynamic kit nor can they reconfigure associated predefined dynamic kits.

      For more information, see Creating a dynamic kit and predefined dynamic kit with sample data.

  12. Optional: Click the Descriptive Attributes tab to work with descriptive attributes.
  13. Optional: Click the Merchandising Associations tab to work with merchandising associations.
  14. Optional: Click the Associated Assets tab to work with attachments.
  15. Optional: Click the References tab to view any merchandising associations or all sales catalog categories the kit belongs to.
  16. Optional: Click the Versions tab to Work with content versioning
  17. Click Save; then click Close.