This article explains what packaging is, how it works, and when to use it in the pricing calculation flow.
Overview
Packaging allows a catalog item to be priced or sold as a fixed-quantity package instead of, or in addition to, being sold as an individual unit.
Packaging is applied as part of the pricing logic flow. It is evaluated before price rules and price values are calculated. In the task flow, packaging sits before pricing.
Packaging is useful when a catalog item should be sold in predefined quantities, such as packs of 10, 12, or 24 units.
When to use packaging
Use packaging when:
- An item must be sold only as a package.
- An item can be sold either individually or as a package.
- A fixed package quantity should be used before pricing is calculated.
- Different package sizes are available for the same item.
How packaging works
Packaging checks the selected catalog item and determines whether there is a packaged version available for that item.
Each packaging rule links an original catalog item to a packaged catalog item. The rule also defines how many units of the original item are covered by the package.
If packaging is mandatory, the original item cannot be sold as a single unit. It must be sold through one of the defined package options.
If packaging is optional, the item can be sold either as a single unit or through one of the defined package options.
Packaging file structure
The example CSV file is attached to this article below. The packaging file is a CSV file with the following columns which are also given in the attached packaging.csv file: Item.Code, Mandatory, Quantity, and Package.Code.
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Item.Code | The refCode of the item as originally selected or configured in the catalog. |
| Package.Code | The refCode of the catalog item that represents the packaged version of Item.Code. |
| Quantity | The number of units of Item.Code covered by the package. |
| Mandatory | Defines whether the item must be sold only through a package. If TRUE, the item cannot be sold as a single unit. If FALSE, the item can be sold either individually or through a package. |
The packaging file can be imported by clicking the three dots next to the catalog name and selecting Import Packaging option. You can also export the same by the clicking Export Packaging option from the same list.
Mandatory packaging
When Mandatory is set to TRUE, the item must always be sold through a package.
This means:
- The item cannot be sold as a single unit.
- One or more package sizes may be available.
- Only the defined package quantities are sellable.
Example
In the attached packaging.csv file, Door24x18-MTL-MAPLE is marked as TRUE for mandatory packaging and has package quantities of 12 and 24.
Optional packaging
When Mandatory is set to FALSE, the item can be sold either as an individual unit or through a package.
This means:
- The item can still be sold as a single unit.
- One or more package sizes may also be available.
- The package option is available but not required.
Example
In the attached packaging.csv file, BlumHinge is marked as FALSE and has a package quantity of 10.
Another optional example in the attached packaging.csv file is Door24x18-MTL-PINE, which has package quantities of 5, 10, and 24, with Mandatory set to FALSE.