ECMS Sub Products

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Look and Feel:

Using the eCMS shopping cart platform there are many ways to display your products on your new website. This wiki article will show you how to use Sub Products in eCMS in conjunction with CMS.

Here is an example of a product page with Sub Products:


File:ECMS_Sub_Product_-_Main.png


This feature allows you to display multiple products in a concise and clear fashion under similar product header. Some customers prefer this format instead of displaying multiple products each with their own picture and content.

In the example I provided above 'Boudin' can be misinterpreted as Category when in reality 'Boudin' is a Product. We like to call this a 'Parent Product' which is used to assign the appropriate Sub Products. Savoie's Pork Boudin (Item #04-01), Poche's Pork Boudin (Item #04-14), etc each are their own products and are used as Sub Products. The main image that is slightly cut off in the screen shot above is assigned to the Parent Product Boudin, and the relevant content as illustrated below in my screen shot are also assigned to Boudin.


File:ECMS_Sub_Products_-_Images_and_Content.png


The premise behind this is to allow our customers to sell their products one page without being redundant on images and content.

Here is another example of how Sub Products are displayed:


File:ECMS_Sub_Products_-_Crows_Nest_Example.png


Setup:

You have two choices on how you want to setup the 'Parent Products'. You can set them up in CMS and use the product upload feature to eCMS, or you can take CMS out of the equation and setup the products in the eCMS interface. This preference can be made by the customer, but we recommend setting up the product in eCMS only. Why? Considering the 'Parent Product' is not being sold we are inclined to leave this product out of CMS to avoid confusion in your product list and order entry. The Sub Product is a web only feature and task of setting up these products should be kept to the web. However, if you see the content changing frequently (Web Text and Web Description) and want to manage in one place like the rest of your products you can do so in CMS. I will outline the steps below on setting up products in eCMS and CMS.

eCMS:

  • Click All Products under Inventory in the eCMS interface.
  • Click Add Products
  • Product Type is 'Regular', Add a Name, and Add SKU
  • Add a URL Name (i.e, boudin)
  • Under Product Display the Product Template is 'Default'
  • Add a Description Header.
  • Add a Full Description.
  • Stock Status is 'In Stock' (Does not affect anything).
  • Retail Product should be selected.
  • Site Search Keywords, Meta Keywords, Meta Title, and Meta Description are optional, but recommended.
  • Images - See Below.
  • Categories - The 'Dummy Product' should be assigned the appropriate category. The first example I showed is from http://louisianaliving.com and the 'Parent Product' Boudin is assigned to the category Fresh Foods.
  • Nothing should be set under Retail.
  • Under Options > Options select the Product Type as 'Has Sub-Products'. This is key.
  • Click Save and Close

CMS:

Create a new product in CMS. If you do not know how to create a product in CMS please use the online help menu in CMS by click F1.

Key Notes to consider -

  • Product Code in CMS matches the SKU name in eCMS.
  • Invoice Description in CMS matches the Name of the product in eCMS.
  • Web Description in CMS matches the Description Header in eCMS.
  • Web Text in CMS matches the Full Description in eCMS.
  • Mark Product in CMS as a Non-Inventory item.
  • No Price is needed (Remember...this is a Dummy Product).
  • Check eCMS Product on the Inventory-Warehouse-Vendor tab.
  • Once complete upload to the website.

Customer Service Disclaimer: These products are NOT for sale. The products will display in the Order Entry drop down, so please make your operators aware these are not to be selected. You can avoid this by the Product Code you choose and providing the proper training to your customer service reps.

You now have instructions for adding the 'Parent Products' in eCMS or CMS. You are now set to add the Sub Products to the 'Parent Product'.

Adding Sub Products:

  • You will see the product available for viewing under 'All Products' with a link to click on Sub Products.
  • The products you are assigning to the 'Dummy Product' should be in CMS and already uploaded to eCMS. This means 'Add New Product' in this section should not be used.
  • Click on Move Products.
  • Via the Product ID Finder you can find the Product ID's.
  • In the 'Move Products' field you add the Product ID via comma's. For example, 113, 118, 115, etc.
  • Click Save and Return.
  • You will now see the products available for viewing. Please set the sort order in which they appear on the website.
  • Name, Price, etc. will carry over.

Images:

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