In Holded, a product is the record of a stock item that allows you to consult the information on its purchase and sale, in addition to maintaining a detailed record of its tangible characteristics (shape, size, color...) or intangible characteristics (brand, company image, service).
In Holded, Products have more fields and more information than Services. In the event that you need to control your stock or segment by families, use Products better.
You will be able to manage your products from two main menus, the Product List and the Product sheet.
1. The list of products
The product list is a list that shows by rows all the products that you have registered in the Inventory section, as well as their basic characteristics by columns. Within the list, you can click on any product, accessing its file, to obtain a detailed and global view. Check here the actions available from the list.
2. The product sheet
The product sheet is a digital summary that shows all the characteristics of a product, as well as related information.
Once you have registered a product, you can access its file by clicking on it and thus obtain a more detailed view than in the list view. Check here the actions available from the file.
Predefined product types in Holded
When creating your products in Holded you can choose between several types, depending on your needs:
Simple product
Included in all Holded plans, the simple product is one that does not have variants, serial numbers, batches, nor is it part of a product pack. It contains basic information such as your name and description, as well as a rate or amount that will appear when creating a sales invoice for it. Does not require the Inventory gem. Learn how to create it here.
Product with variants
A product with variants consists of different versions that differ in some eligible option (color, size, shape...). That is, each of the possible combinations of product options constitutes a variant and has its own SKU (for example, the size S variant in blue, the size S variant in black, etc.). In Holded they are available by activating the Inventory gem.
☝🏼 Variants should not be confused with categories (season, genre, brand...).
On the other hand, in Holded there is the possibility of creating variant groups, which encompass the combination of all eligible product options that belong to a common context. To learn more, see our article on how to manage products with variants.
Product with lots
Lots are used to track manufacturing date, location, or manufacturer. Typically, they are applied to perishable products manufactured in large quantities. In the event of quality problems, the batch is used to find the main cause of the problem and stop the manufacture or sale of said batch if necessary. The food sector or the pharmaceutical industry are representative examples of batch production.
By activating the Inventory gem, you will be able to manage your batches from the product sheet, and also specify the start date and end date (manufacturing date, expiration date, best before use, etc.), as long as you have activated them when creating the product. Learn more about how to manage products with lots.
Product with serial numbers
Serial numbers (SN) are unique alphanumeric codes typically used to identify a particular product within a large batch of products. They are useful in quality control, since by identifying the defective batch the serial number can be used to locate the affected units.
They usually apply to products that are susceptible to being copied, pirated or stolen; for example, in electronics (televisions, refrigerators, computers, etc.), ISBN (books, maps, magazines), automobiles (chassis number), etc.
Activate the Inventory gem and manage your serial numbers from the product sheet, where you can edit the price, barcode, start and end dates, etc. Learn how to manage serial numbers here.
Product Pack
A product pack is a group of items that are sold together. Normally, despite being different, the items in a pack have some aspect in common. You can enjoy them by activating the Inventory gem.
For example, a yarn store could create a pack with all the items necessary to make a knitted sweater (needles, wool, scissors, tape measure...), and sell them together.
Some advantages of product packs would be:
Increase the average value of your customers' orders.
Make it easier for them to purchase, improving their experience.
Differentiate yourself from your competitors.
Give your stock greater rotation, thus liquidating the items that interest you the most.
To learn more, check out our article on how to manage product packs.
Manufactured product
A manufactured product is one created from other previously existing products, considered “materials”, that make up it. Regarding their supply, the manufactured products are produced in the seller's own facilities, unlike purchased products, which are acquired from a supplier.
In Holded, manufactured products are available by activating the Manufacturing gem. Some of its advantages include:
Integrated management, simplifying production, materials management and automating stock control.
Inventory optimization, avoiding surpluses and stockouts.
Cost and profitability analysis, calculating accurate costs by considering materials, manufacturing and average cost.
Traceability, facilitating the tracking of the origin of the materials and components used in manufacturing.
Improves production planning by taking into account the availability of materials and the demand for the final product.
Learn how to manage manufactured products here.
☝🏼 Technically, manufactured products are not one of the predefined product types in Holded, since any of the product types (simple, with variants, with batches, with serial numbers) can, in turn, be a manufactured product (even packs may contain manufactured products as part of them). However, they are included in this article for ease of understanding.