Variable Products: The Key To Inventory Optimization

Variable products  also known as base products, variant groups, or variant products… these are items or SKUs grouped into families.  Our design process uses existing data and AI to automate variable product design across the entire catalog, including names, long descriptions, images, documents, and “variant defining attributes.”  We then leverage a proprietary design application to further refine the design and review with stakeholders before loading to ERP, PIM or Ecommerce.

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Our design process leverages existing data and AI to automate variable product identification across the entire catalog, including names, long descriptions, images, documents, and “variant defining attributes.”  We then leverage a proprietary design application to further refine the design and review with stakeholders before loading to PIM.

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Although the concept is simple, variable products are notoriously tricky, and require us to answer questions like: 

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• Are variable products optional or does every item belong to a variable product? 

• Can we have large variable products, with hundreds of items and five selector attributes? 

• Can a variable product live in a different category than it’s variant? 

• What are the valid and invalid organizing principles for a variable product? 

• Which attributes and content should we manage on variable products? 

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When done well, variable products transform user experiences. PIM and e-commerce users will never want to see a “wall of SKUs” again. You’ll gain a well-organized, efficient, and scalable product catalog that supports your objectives in AI, merchandising, analytics and maintenance.