CRM Tips: Selling Products in Groups

Creating or editing a unit group is a powerful way to tap into your CRM toolset.

Create or edit a unit group

A unit group ( A compilation of the different measurements that a product is available in. A unit group contains the base unit in which a product is available, for example, a two-liter bottle. It then lists all the different increments that this base unit is packaged in for sale, such as an individual two-liter bottle or a case of 6 two-liter bottles, and also indicates which measurement is the primary unit. ) can contain one or more units.

When you determine the primary unit for a unit group, you should use the most common unit of measurement that your product or service will sell. For example, if you provide a service that is frequently charged by the day, you might consider setting the primary unit as an hour. Although the smallest unit that your service can charge is an hour, it can be more efficient to set the primary unit as a day for generating the typical quote, order, or invoice. On less frequent occasions, you can use a fraction of a day to charge for services that amount to less than one day.

Setting up the Unit Groups area is the second step in creating a product catalog. There are four steps to complete when you create the product catalog. To create the product catalog, use the following order:

  1. Create the necessary discount lists. Discount lists are created in the discount lists area of the product catalog.
  2. Create the unit groups. Unit groups are created in the unit groups area of the product catalog.
  3. Create the price lists. Price lists are created in the price lists area of the product catalog.
  4. Create the products. Products are created in the products area of the product catalog.

Create a unit group

When you create a unit group you must specify a primary unit ( The measurement used to define the most commonly sold unit of a product. ) . The primary unit is the lowest unit of measurement for the unit group.

  1. In the Navigation Pane, click Settings.
  2. Under Settings, click Settings. Then, in the Settings area click Product Catalog, and then click Unit Groups.
  3. On the Actions toolbar, click New.
  4. In the Create Unit Group dialog box, you must enter the following information:
    • Name: Enter a descriptive name for the unit group.
    • Primary Unit: Enter the primary unit for the unit group.
  5. Click OK. The Unit Group form opens.
  6. Click Save and Close, to save and close the unit group without adding units.

–   OR –

Under Details click Units, and then click New Unit to create a unit for this unit group.

  1. In the Unit form, you must enter the following information:
  • Name: Enter a descriptive name for the unit.
  • Quantity: Enter the quantity that will comprise this unit. For example, if this unit is for a dozen, then enter 12.
  • Base Unit: Enter the base unit for the group. You can use Lookup to search for and select a base unit. The base unit will establish the lowest unit of measurement for this unit group. For example, if this unit is for one dozen, the quantity for this unit is equal to 12, you must select a base unit that has a quanity of one.

    8. Click Save or Save and Close.

Note: You cannot delete the primary unit in a unit group.