This feature allows the grouping of individual parts into a single product.
Whether you are creating a "cat-back" exhaust or bundling multiple components into a convenient package, Kits streamline the process of selling assembled products.
The Purpose of Kits
A kit acts as a single end component made up of multiple subcomponents. Instead of selling individual parts separately, Kits allow the bundling of several components together. This provides value to your customers through convenience, simplicity and sometimes a lower cost.
Kits are a standard part of the Auto Care Association's PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard) data model. Mecka includes kits that have been provided in the data supplied by brands.
Key benefits include:
- Flexible Assemblies: You can build your own kits from diverse parts, even across different brands, as long as you have access to those products in Mecka.
- Customization: You can define a custom price for the kit that differs from the sum of its individual parts.
- Simplified Fulfillment: By packaging multiple items into one, you offer a more streamlined shopping experience.
How to Use Kits
Kits are setup and managed from the Product Management screen in the Catalog Manager.
Click on the 'Kit Components' tab in the right box to create or edit a kit.
That tab will reveal the components within a kit.
Creating a Kit
Kits can be created using a combination of parts from any brand in your Mecka catalog. Kits can be created using parts from different brands.
You can only create kits within brands that you own. However, the products in your custom kits can be from any brand in your Mecka catalog.
If you already have a brand, then you can combine products to create a kit.
If you don't have a brand, you will need to use the Catalog Manager to add a brand to Mecka. Then you can create a new product and add parts to that product to create a kit.
To set up a kit in Mecka, follow these general steps:
- From the list of products within a brand that you own, click on 'Add Product'.
- Within the 'Add Product' window, create a part number, select a category, create descriptions and then click Save. Then click on Kit Components.
- Click on Add Component.
- Access Part Search: Use the part number search function to identify and select the specific parts you wish to include in your kit. Parts can be from any brand that you can already access within Mecka.
- Assign Components: Add the selected parts to your kit. You can define the quantity for each component to ensure the kit reflects the correct assembly requirements.
- Manage Sold Separately: Decide whether the components within the kit should be sold separately or exclusively as part of the kit.
- Define Pricing: Set a manual price for the entire kit. This does not need to be the sum of the individual parts; you can adjust this to account for the assembly and packaging value.
- Image(s): Just like any other product, ensure you have proper images of the assembled kit. You will have to create the images for your custom kits.
- Finalize the Kit: Once saved, Mecka treats the kit as a new product. The kit will be assigned its own part number, with the individual sub-part numbers listed in brackets for reference.
Important Note on Inventory:
To effectively sell kits, it is recommended that you have the stock for the components in-house. While you can create kits from various parts, the fulfillment process is most efficient when you have the inventory on hand to package, label, and photograph the assembled product yourself.
