Create a Dynamic Catalog
Introduction
A dynamic catalog is a method of configuring product ranges where the production of all items is identical apart from the artwork,
so they can be quickly reordered by sales staff or even directly by the customer.
This is commonly used by label printers for reordering of previously printed labels within the catalog.
Dynamic catalog only works if you are using Freight by Cart set up.
NOTE: For quotes created using the dynamic catalog, for 'lanes' to be used as the calculation method, the below internal setting must be turned on:
*Contact support to have this enabled
How to create a Dynamic Catalog
To create a Dynamic Catalog, you always start with a quote.
Create a quote that contains all the production details and operations required to produce the job on the shop floor.
In the example we have the stock, print process, link to existing die and production finishing operations such as laminating and diecutting.
We also include ‘workflow’ based operations such as imposition and planning
You can use a basic ‘template’ style quote as the starting point, or you could use the original quote generated to quote the range.
From the ‘Order Details’ screen, click the triangle in the top right:
This opens additional details on the product. Click on the ‘Template Product’ button
Select the option ‘Convert to Dynamic Catalog’
This initiates the Dynamic Catalog Kit creation wizard.
Dynamic Catalog Items Wizards
Dynamic Catalog Items
From the quote, the next step is to add the ‘Dynamic Catalog Items’ to the kit.
In the above example we have a single kind showing. This is because we added one advanced kind only to the initial quote.
If you used an existing quote with multiple advanced kinds, they would already be showing here.
From the ‘+’ button, you can add new or existing items to the kit
(you can also add the item details from the kinds already showing on the screen)
Just rename and click the artwork icon to attach the artwork
A dropdown displays for the item configuration:
printIQ will auto generate a SKU and UNIQUE ID when a new item is initiated. These can be overridden as required
Enter the item details:
- Name – A short name identifying the item
- Description – A detailed description of the item
- Artwork – attach a pdf file of the artwork
- Thumbnail – a .png file will be generated on pdf upload. This can be replaced by another image if required
- SKU – This is the sku reference. This will be auto generated but is often manually changed to reflect the customer’s ID code for the item
- UNIQUE ID – this is an auto generated ID for the artwork. This is used in workflow automation such as Esko
Once saved the item will show on the screen
Add all items required for the range.
Once done click ‘Save & continue’ to move to the next screen in the wizard
Manage Product
This takes you to the ‘Product Creation’ screen.
This is where the quote options are converted to an SPC (Single Product Creation) session.
All the inputs from the quote are populated and can be updated now or later.
Some quoting functions such as ‘Quote Questions’ is not supported in the Dynamic Catalog workflow.
If you go to convert a quote containing either of these functions, you will see a warning at the top of the screen:
The screen is split into multiple sections
- Session Details
The only option here is the ‘Bypass Artwork Submission’ checkbox.
Check this on if the artwork is to always use the art linked to the items previously generated.
Leave this off if the artwork will change and is required to be uploaded once the order is converted into a job. - Product Definition
This relates to the ‘Job’ components of the original quote.
Here you can change the finished size, add/remove job base operations and set various other overrides that you have access to via custom quoting - Section Controls
This relates to all ‘Side’ and ‘Section’ based options.
As per the custom quote you can alter stocks, colours, operations, and imposition-based overrides
In general, if the initial quote was setup correctly, you will only need to view this screen as all the information will be prepopulated for the quote.
You can access this screen at any time to make alterations.
Once done click ‘Save & continue’ to move to the next screen in the wizard.
Manage Kits
The details related to the dynamic kit are configured here
You give the kit a Code’ Name and Description. Link it to a tree node for quoting access and set the pricing method.
You can also view all items linked to the selected kit
In this example for our range of Gin Labels we first set the Code, Name and Description:
Next, we need to create a tree node to link the kit to or link it to an existing node
Click in the ‘Product Category’ to link to an existing node
Or click the icon to create a new tree node
Click to create a new node opens the ‘Product Categories’ screen
Click the + button at the top to start creating a new node
From the ‘New Product Category’ screen enter the details for the new node.
Note: Select the ‘Type’ of ‘Product’
Configure the node by naming it, uploading an icon, and setting its view order in the product tree.
You can also link it to a customer or customer group
Once done, click ‘Save’ at the bottom of the screen.
Click back into your kits tab and the new node will be available to link to in the ‘Product Category’
Select a ‘Pricing Method’
Pricing Method Options
1. Single Unit Pirce
When selected the ‘Price’ field opens. Enter the price per individual unit
2. Unit Price By Quantity
When selected, an additional ‘Quantities’ tab displays at the top of the screen
This is used to enter pricing by quantity breaks
3. Production based pricing
With this option the order is priced using the quote pricing generated by printIQ
Last you can set customer and account rules as well as upload a thumbnail to display when quoting
You can access all items linked to the kit from here
Items can be deactivated, added and order rearranged
Once configured, click ‘Save & Complete’
This will take you to the ‘Finish’ tab and show a summary of all items:
You can now order items from the Dynamic Catalog via simplified quoting
The catalog will show on the screen. Click the ‘Order’ arrow to see the items available in the kit
All items will view with a thumbnail along with the name, description and SKU.
The user can order by quantity all or some of the available items.
As you add quantities, a summary of total quantity over the number of items will display at the foot of the quote.
A blue triangle will display against each item with a quantity input
Once confirmed,
‘Add’ the ordered items they will display in the cart
Click the arrow to view items in the order
A ‘per unit’ price also displays under each item’s quantity
The same view is also available on the ‘Order Details’ screen
On acceptance, the quantity details will show in the job description
Quantity breakdown will also display via the quantity hover ‘Print Summary’
Other Setup / Options
Edit Parent Product
From the ‘Modify Kit’ admin screen, there is a quick access link to ‘Edit Parent Product’
This takes you to the wizard where you can edit the kit configuration
Grouping
When configuring the items withing a kit you can add ‘grouping’ to separate items.
Here we have a alcohol range with various ‘flavours’ for Gin, Bourbon and Brandy.
We have added a ‘group’ header to separate them.
When quoting, the items will display in their groups to make ordering easier
Related Documentation - Dynamic Catalog
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