NetSuite CPQ Configurator Products for Custom Item Configuration

The NetSuite CPQ Configurator allows users to create and manage products representing configurable items. Each product encapsulates the underlying business logic, guiding users through the customization process. This article outlines how to effectively utilize configurator products, ensuring a smooth configuration experience for customers.

What is a Configurator Product?

The configurator products in NetSuite CPQ represent items that can be tailored by stakeholders. For instance, a furniture retailer offering a desk as a configurable product can allow customers to choose from various attributes such as size, shape, and color. Each combination reflects the business rules defined in the product's logic.

Who Can Create and Manage Products?

Users with either an Administrator role or a CPQ Product Builder role are authorized to create and maintain these products. To learn more about defining roles, refer to the relevant documentation on custom roles in NetSuite CPQ.

Previewing Configurator Products

Before making products accessible to users, you can preview their setup and functionality. This verification step is crucial to ensure that the user interface aligns with business rules and provides a seamless experience.

Assigning Base Items

To facilitate transactions involving configurable items, each product must be linked to a base item during setup. If additional items need to be included in a transaction, you can do so without assigning a base item. This approach streamlines the process of managing products and their configurations.

Transaction Line Fields

When a base item is designated as the main configurable item, it allows for the setting of transaction line fields. You can manage these fields by accessing the product record and defining the mapping records that dictate how line items should behave during transactions.

Product Organization and Management

Products can be organized into categories, helping maintain a structured inventory. NetSuite CPQ also allows for the export and import of products, which is essential for bulk updates or migrations.

Making Products Inactive or Deleting Them

If certain products are no longer required, you have the option to either mark them as inactive or delete them. It is important to ensure that active products replace any inactive ones in configurations to maintain usability.

Configurable Items Page

All active products are viewable on the Configurable Items page. Additionally, this page can be integrated into third-party websites, enabling external users to engage in item configuration seamlessly.

Configuration Record

User selections during the configuration process are stored within the configuration record. The system ensures that all choices are preserved for future reference and can be accessed easily.

Building Blocks of Products

Each product consists of several elements, including questions, answers, and images. These components contribute to the overall configurability of the products, allowing for a tailored user experience.

Creating a New Product

To create a product, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to CPQ > Configurator > Product Maintenance.
2. Click New CPQC Product.
3. Enter a descriptive product name, visible on both the Configurable Items page and the user interface.
4. Fill the Code field with a unique identifier, ensuring it only contains uppercase letters, numbers, and underscores.
5. Optionally, provide a description which will not be displayed to users.
6. Input a Sequence Number to determine the sorting order of products displayed on the Configurable Items page.
7. Mark the product as Inactive if it’s not ready for display.
8. For faster previews, choose Deactivate cache.
9. (Optional) Assign the product to a Product Category.
10. Assign a Base Item for transaction purposes.
11. Select Line Field Mapping Records to set transaction line fields.
12. Choose an image for the Cover Image from the File Cabinet.
13. Define an AI description on the CPQ AI Assistance subtab for the AI Assistant feature.
14. Click Save to complete the process.

Additional Resources

• For related functionalities and further details, refer to sections on product building blocks and the CPQ AI Assistant, as well as resources for managing product categories and configurations.

Key Takeaways

• NetSuite CPQ Configurator Products allow dynamic user-driven customization of items.
• Administrators and CPQ Product Builders create and manage configurable products.
• The interface includes features for previewing, sorting, inactivating, and mapping product configurations effectively.
• A systematic approach can streamline transactions linked to configurable items and ensure business rules are respected.