Introduction

In iVendNext, Item Attributes and Variants are powerful features that allow you to manage products with multiple variations, such as size, color, or style. Item attributes define the characteristics of a product, while variants are the specific combinations of these attributes. For example, a t-shirt can have attributes like size (small, medium, large) and color (red, blue, green), and each combination (e.g., small-red, medium-blue) is a variant.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and using item attributes and variants in iVendNext, along with their use cases and best practices.

What are Item Attributes?

Definition

Item Attributes are the characteristics or properties of a product that define its variations. These attributes can be based on physical appearance (e.g., color, size) or other properties (e.g., material, style).

Types of Attributes

1. Non-Numeric Attributes: Attributes with predefined values (e.g., color: red, blue, green).

2. Numeric Attributes: Attributes with numeric values that can be defined using a range and increment (e.g., size: 10, 12, 14).

What are Item Variants?

Definition

Item Variants are specific combinations of item attributes. For example, a t-shirt with attributes for size (small, medium, large) and color (red, blue, green) can have variants like small-red, medium-blue, and large-green.

Use Cases for Variants

• Apparel and Footwear: Products with multiple sizes, colors, or styles.

• Electronics: Devices available in different storage capacities or colors.

• Customizable Products: Items that can be customized based on customer preferences.

Prerequisites

Before creating item attributes and variants, ensure that the following are set up in iVendNext:

1. Item Group: Categorize your items for better organization.

2. Warehouse: Define where the item will be stored.

3. Unit of Measure (UOM): Specify how the item will be measured (e.g., pieces, liters, kilograms).

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Item Attributes

Step 1: Access the Retail Module

1. Log in to your iVendNext account.

2. Navigate to the Retail Module from the main dashboard.

Step 2: Navigate to the Item Attribute List

1. In the Retail Module, go to Stock > Settings > Item Attribute.

2. Click on the Add Item Attribute button to create a new attribute.

Step 3: Define the Attribute

1. Attribute Name: Enter a name for the attribute (e.g., "Color" or "Size").

2. Attribute Values:

• For Non-Numeric Attributes, enter the predefined values (e.g., red, blue, green).

• For Numeric Attributes, specify the range and increment (e.g., size: 10 to 20 with an increment of 2).

Step 4: Save the Attribute

1. Once all the required fields are filled in, click the Save button to create the attribute.

2. The attribute will now be available for use in item templates and variants.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Item Variants

Step 1: Access the Retail Module

1. Log in to your iVendNext account.

2. Navigate to the Retail Module from the main dashboard.

Step 2: Navigate to the Item List View Screen

1. In the Retail Module, go to Stock > Items and Pricing > Item List.

2. Click on the Add Item button to create a new item.

Step 3: Fill in the Basic Details

1. Item Code: Enter a unique code for the item. This is a mandatory field and helps in identifying the item in the system.

2. Item Name: Enter the name of the item. The name will auto-fill with the same value as the item code if left blank.

3. Item Group: Select the appropriate item group from the dropdown menu.

4. Default Unit of Measure (UOM): Select the unit of measure for the item (e.g., pieces, liters, kilograms).

Step 4: Enable Variants

1. Tick the Has Variants checkbox to enable variant creation for the item.

2. Once the checkbox is ticked, a new section for Variant Attributes will appear.

Step 5: Define Variant Attributes

1. Variant Based On: Select whether the variants will be based on Item Attributes (e.g., size, color) or Manufacturers.

2. Variant Attributes: If you selected Item Attributes, specify the attributes (e.g., size, color) and their values (e.g., small, medium, large; red, blue, green).

3. For numeric attributes (e.g., size), you can specify a range and increment value to automatically generate variants.

Step 6: Create Variants

1. Click on the Create Variants button to generate variants based on the specified attributes.

2. You can choose to create a Single Variant or Multiple Variants:

• Single Variant: Create one variant at a time by selecting specific attribute values.

• Multiple Variants: Generate multiple variants at once by selecting multiple attribute values (e.g., small-red, medium-blue, large-green).

Step 7: Save the Item

1. Once all the variants are created, click the Save button to save the item template and its variants.

2. The item and its variants will now be available in your item list and can be used in sales, purchases, and inventory transactions.

Managing Item Attributes and Variants

1. Updating Attributes and Variants

• Update via Template: Any changes made to the item template (e.g., pricing, description) will automatically apply to all its variants.

• Individual Updates: You can also update individual variants if needed (e.g., changing the price of a specific size or color).

2. Inventory Management

• Stock Tracking: Stock levels are tracked separately for each variant. For example, you can track how many small-red t-shirts are in stock.

• Reordering: Set reorder levels for individual variants to ensure you never run out of stock.

3. Sales and Purchases

• Sales Transactions: When selling a variant item, you can select the specific variant (e.g., medium-blue t-shirt) at the Point of Sale (POS).

• Purchase Transactions: When purchasing variant items, you can specify the quantity for each variant.

Best Practices for Managing Item Attributes and Variants

1. Plan Attributes Carefully: Define attributes (e.g., size, color) that are relevant to your products and customers.

2. Use Numeric Attributes for Ranges: For attributes like size or weight, use numeric values with ranges and increments to automatically generate variants.

3. Regularly Review Stock Levels: Monitor stock levels for each variant to avoid stockouts or overstocking.

4. Update Templates Regularly: Keep the item template updated with the latest information (e.g., pricing, descriptions) to ensure consistency across variants.

Conclusion

Understanding and using item attributes and variants in iVendNext allows you to efficiently handle products with multiple variations, such as size, color, or style. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can set up and manage item attributes and variants effectively, ensuring accurate inventory tracking and seamless sales operations.