Creating a Product 🏷️

Products are what you manufacture and sell to your customers. This guide will show you how to create products in your system, set up their bills of materials (BOM), and manage your product catalog.

Before You Start

Make sure you have:

• Access to the Inventory section (Manager or Admin role)
• Product information ready (name, description, specifications)
• Materials already added to your inventory (for the BOM)
• Product specifications and requirements documented

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Navigate to Components

1. Look at the left sidebar on your screen
2. Find the "INVENTORY & SUPPLY" section
3. Click on "Components" - this will take you to the products list page

Step 2: Open the Add Component Dialog

1. Look for the "Add Component" button - it's usually in the top-right corner
2. Click the "Add Component" button (or the "+" icon)
3. A dialog will open with the product form

Step 3: Fill in Product Information

The form is organized into sections. Let's go through each one:

Basic Information

• Name (required): Product name

  • Example: Office Chair Model A or Steel Table 120cm
  • Be descriptive and use consistent naming

• Description (optional): Detailed product description

  • Example: Ergonomic office chair with adjustable height and lumbar support
  • Include key features and specifications

• Category (optional): Product category

  • Example: Furniture, Electronics, Machinery
  • Helps organize your product catalog

• Status (required): Product availability

  • Active: Available for production and sales
  • Inactive: Not currently available
  • Discontinued: No longer produced

Product Specifications

• Custom Fields (optional): Additional product attributes
  • Click "Add Custom Field" to add specific attributes
  • Examples: Color, size, weight, certification, warranty period
  • Useful for tracking product variations

Step 4: Save the Product

1. Review all the information you've entered
2. Click "Save" button
3. You'll see a success message confirming the product was created

Step 5: Set Up Bill of Materials (BOM)

After creating the product, you need to define what materials it's made from:

1. Click on the product in your products list
2. Go to the "BOM" tab
3. Click "Add Component" button
4. For each material needed:
   • Select Material: Choose from your inventory list
   • Quantity: How much of this material is needed
   • Unit: The unit of measure (pcs, kg, m, etc.)
   • Notes (optional): Any special instructions
5. Click "Save" to add the component
6. Repeat for all materials needed for this product

What Happens Next

The Product is Now Available

• It appears in your products list
• You can select it when creating quotes
• The BOM is used to calculate material requirements
• You can track production costs

Product Management

• Cost calculation: System calculates total material cost
• Inventory planning: Tracks material requirements for production
• Quality control: Links to quality requirements and inspections

Bill of Materials (BOM) Explained

What is a BOM?

A Bill of Materials is a list of all the materials, components, and parts needed to manufacture a product. Think of it as a recipe for your product.

BOM Structure

• Raw Materials: Basic materials like steel, wood, plastic
• Components: Pre-made parts like bolts, bearings, electronics
• Sub-assemblies: Groups of components that go together
• Consumables: Items used in production like glue, paint

BOM Example

For an office chair, your BOM might include:

• Steel frame: 1 piece
• Seat cushion: 1 piece
• Backrest: 1 piece
• M8 bolts: 8 pieces
• Fabric: 2 square meters
• Foam padding: 1 piece

Tips and Best Practices

Product Naming

• Be descriptive: Include key specifications in the name
• Use consistent format: Follow a standard naming convention
• Include model numbers: If you have multiple versions
• Avoid special characters: Use letters, numbers, and spaces only

BOM Management

• Keep BOMs current: Update when materials or processes change
• Include all materials: Don't forget small items like fasteners
• Use accurate quantities: Measure carefully to avoid waste
• Consider waste factors: Add extra material for cutting waste

Product Categories

• Logical grouping: Group similar products together
• Easy navigation: Make it easy to find products
• Consistent naming: Use the same category names throughout

Status Management

• Active products: Only products you currently manufacture
• Inactive products: Temporarily unavailable
• Discontinued products: No longer produced (keep for history)

Advanced BOM Features

Sub-assemblies

• What they are: Groups of components that go together
• When to use: For complex products with multiple parts
• Benefits: Easier to manage and track production

Alternative Materials

• What they are: Different materials that can be used
• When to use: When materials are interchangeable
• Benefits: Flexibility in sourcing and cost management

Routing Information

• What it is: Manufacturing steps and processes
• When to use: For complex manufacturing processes
• Benefits: Better production planning and cost tracking

Troubleshooting

Product Not Appearing in Lists

• Check if the product is active (not inactive or discontinued)
• Verify you're looking in the right category
• Make sure you have permission to view products

Can't Add BOM Components

• Make sure you've saved the product first
• Check if the materials exist in your inventory
• Verify you have permission to edit product BOMs

BOM Cost Calculation Issues

• Check if material prices are current
• Verify quantities are entered correctly
• Make sure units of measure match

Duplicate Product Error

• Check if the product already exists
• Look for slight variations in the name
• Consider using the existing product record

Next Steps

Now that you've created a product, you might want to:

• Adding a Customer - Add customers who will buy this product
• Creating a Quote - Create quotes for this product
• Managing Work Orders - Start producing this product
• Quality Control - Set up quality requirements for this product

Need Help?

• 📖 Check other guides in this documentation
• 🎯 Use the search feature to find specific information
• 💬 Contact support if you need additional help

That's it! You've successfully created a product with its bill of materials. 🎉