ADS: Product Substitution

The Advanced Distribution Software for Dynamics AX 2012 creates additional functionality throughout the system.  This blog will focus on the ability to substitute, up-sell, or down-sell products.  The enhancements are geared towards identifying opportunities to use related products and avoid lost sales.   The new functionality added by ADS creates a Relation Type through the Related Products Table.  When entering a sales order, the customer service representative can avoid back orders and lost sales by recommending a substitute item.  In addition to the substitute/replacement item, customer service representatives can up-sell to a more expensive item generating more revenue for the company.  This functionality helps a company to avoid back orders; the costs associated with back orders, the loss of revenue, and reduce the negative impact that these situations could create.

The first step to using the Product Substitution functionality is to create a Product Relationship Type.

1. Go to Product Information Management > Setup > Relationships > Product Relationship Type
2. Click New
3. Enter a Name
4. Enter  a Friendly Name
5. Enter a Description

The next step is to create a Related Product from the Released products form.

1. Go to Product Information Management > Common > Released Products
2. Open a master product
3. Click Related Products in the setup section of the action pane

1. Click New
2. Select the related product
3. Select a Relation Type from the drop-down menu
4. Select a Product Substitution Type

Now users can create sales orders utilizing the Product Substitution functionality.

1. Go to Sales and Marketing > Common > Sales Orders > All Sales Orders
2. Create New Sales Order
3. Click Add Lines

1. Select Item Number
2. If the Item has a related product than the “Has related products” icon will be hi-lighted
3. The Related Products button will also become enabled

1. Click the Related Products Button
2. The related products will appear in the form
3. Click the item to substitute
4. Enter a quantity
5. Click Apply
6. The related product will be transferred to the Sales Order Line

The user than can process the sales order.

The Advanced Distribution Software for Dynamics AX 2012 provides a variety of functionality in addition to Product Substitution.  For more information please contact Dominic Telaro: Dtelaro@ibisinc.com or visit our website at www.advanceddistributionsoftware.com.