Features for Items & Categories

A feature is a basic attribute of a product item. The feature means feature name and feature value. A product can be defined by an unlimited number of features which can be inherited in the product hierarchy. Features can be accumulated into groups. Pimics enables to manage features directly on the Item Card. Displaying of product features is user-friendly and easy to use. Features can have predefined set of values from which can be selected for an individual item. For example, the product feature – colour - can have values: red, green and black. Values can be imported from defined standards or entered by the user and marked as internal.

To create a new Feature

1. Choose the Search icon, enter Features (Classification/Features), and then choose the related link.
2. Click New to create new feature.
3. On the General FastTab, fill in the fields as necessary:
   1. Press Enter to generate new Feature ID from the default No. Series or type in unique ID manually.
   2. In the Description field, enter the name of the new feature (e.g. “Color”).
   3. Fill in the Abbreviation field.
   4. In the field Unit ID, select the unit by which the feature value can be measured (e.g. Inch, Kg, mm etc.). Unit Shorthand will be added automatically. If there are no Units, create a new one (see more New Catalog Unit).
   5. In the field Field Type/Field Format, select the one of the following types/formats:
      • Numeric
      • Alphanumeric
      • Logical
      • Range
   6. System status shows the state of completeness based on the data quality check.
   7. The field Search Feature ID is filled automatically.
4. On the Values FastTab, define the list of values which specify values that could be assigned to the feature.
   1. Click on to the new line to create new value for this feature (e.g. “Black”, “Red”, “Yellow”).
   2. In the Value ID field, select a value or create a new.
   3. The field Description is filled automatically.
5. On the Translations FastTab, set up the translations for the Feature.
6. On the Allocations FastTab, you can add more information about the Feature.

Note

You can also define the feature which has not any option. In this case, you should not create and assign the values.

Add Feature to an Entity (Item/ Item group/ Product group/Chapter/Catalog Group/Class)

The features are the characteristics of the entities. The feature can be added to an Item/Item group/Product Group/Class and so on. Entities can be sorted, ordered and otherwise manipulated based on the features.

PRECONDITIONS

• At least one feature or feature group exists (see more [New Feature](#New feature))
• An item or a category has been created

To add feature to an Entity

1. Open list of entity to which you want to add the Feature (Product Information/ Item or Item group or Product Group or Chapter or Catalogue Group).
2. Open the Card of entity to which you want to add the Feature.
3. Click on PIM Ribbon Tab and then choose Features.
4. Click New to create a new line.
5. Select the Group System Number from the list, or create a new one.
6. In the Line Type field, select Feature.
7. In the field Number, select the Feature from the list.
8. If the Feature uses values, you can specify which values are available for the Item:
   1. Click on the arrow in Values field and a new window is opened.
   2. In the field Value Allowed, you can specify if the values could be selected as the value of the feature (List must be in Edit List mode) for this Item.
   3. Click OK to save settings (If you do any changes, fields Values and Possible Values has been changed).
9. If the feature uses values you can select Value from the list. If the feature does not use values, type in the field Value specific text or number.
10. The Unit shorthand field is filled automatically based on the Feature.

Note: The entity can inherit the features from the mother´s entity. So for example, you can define the features for the Item group and item inherits those features from the Item group (including values if needed). You should use this functionality when the items have the same features. For example, you have the item group called T-shirt with the features Color (red, blue, white,..), Size (S,M,L,XL,..), Long sleeve (yes/no). You can assign all T-shirt items to this Item group and then specify the feature values for each Item separately.

Inherit Features from Related Item Entities via Cross References

In addition to inheriting features from standard item groups, you can inherit features from other related item entities using Cross Reference Types. This provides flexibility to inherit features from any related item entity when needed.

Understanding Feature Inheritance through Cross References

Cross Reference Types define relationships between items. When you set a Cross Reference Type to allow feature inheritance (with Default Inheritance set to "From"), the specified item will automatically inherit features from the referenced entity. This is useful when you have complex product relationships beyond the standard item group hierarchy.

Create or Configure a Cross Reference Type for Feature Inheritance

Before you can use feature inheritance through cross references, you need to configure the Cross Reference Type appropriately.

1. Using Alt+Q, search for Cross Reference Types and open the relevant link.
2. Click New to create a new Cross Reference Type, or select an existing one to modify it.
3. On the General FastTab, fill in the fields:
   1. In the Code field, enter a unique identifier for this cross reference type (e.g., "VARIANT-INHERIT", "TEMPLATE-LINK").
   2. In the Description field, enter a meaningful description (e.g., "Variant Inheritance Link", "Template Features").
4. Locate the Default Inheritance field and set it to From.
   • This setting enables features to be inherited from the referenced entity to the item that holds the cross reference.
5. Save the configuration.

Add Cross Reference to an Item for Feature Inheritance

Once the Cross Reference Type is configured for feature inheritance, you can create cross references on items that will inherit features from their related entities.

1. Using Alt+Q, search for PIM Items and open the relevant link.
2. Open the item card that will inherit features from another entity.
3. Navigate to the Cross References section (or similar section depending on your setup).
4. Click New to create a new cross reference line.
5. In the Cross Reference Type field, select the Cross Reference Type you configured with Default Inheritance set to "From".
6. In the Reference Item/Entity field (or similar field name), select the item entity from which you want to inherit features.
7. Save the cross reference.
8. The item will now automatically inherit features from the referenced entity according to the Cross Reference Type configuration.

View and Manage Inherited Features

Features inherited through cross references will appear on the item's feature list along with any features directly assigned to the item. You can:

• View inherited features: Open the item's Features section to see both directly assigned and inherited features.
• Override inherited values: You can specify different feature values for your item while keeping the inherited features, allowing you to customize inherited features at the item level.
• Disable inheritance: If needed, you can remove the cross reference to stop inheriting features from that entity.

Note

Features inherited through cross references are in addition to any features inherited from the standard item group. If an item inherits the same feature from multiple sources (item group and cross reference), you can manage which values apply to your specific item.

Important

Cross Reference Type inheritance is only active when the Cross Reference Type has Default Inheritance set to "From". Verify your Cross Reference Type configuration if features are not inheriting as expected.

Product Features

Users can define the feature directly on items or categories. Anyway, we suggest to create definition of a feature before you use it.

Create features on item groups

1. Using Alt+Q, search for item groups and open the relevant link, or access Product Information > Item Groups. Open an item group card
2. Go to the FastTab Features
3. In the action bar, select Manage > New Line
4. Fill in the Description (e.g., Color) and Value (Green). After the field is left, a new record is created if there is no other feature with the same description

Note

All items that have this item group set as Standard Item Group will inherit features defined at the standard item group level (see Categories). Also, inheritance of features must be allowed – for more details read about inheritance.

Repeat the previous two steps to define all required features related to the current item group

Create features on items

Items assigned to a specific item group will automatically inherit features from the item group if feature inheritance is enabled for those items. However, if you want to define specific features for items irrespective of their item group you can do it for each item just as you did previously for the item group. To define features for multiple items at once irrespective of their item group, you can select those items in the item list, and then access Features just as you would do for a single item.

Create features for multiple items belonging to the same item group

1. On the item group card select the action Features by Items (action bar > More options > Related > Classification > Features by Items)

2. Then a new page is shown, where you can see the matrix - items in the columns and features on the lines. That is, provided there are several items attached to that item group
3. Fill up the values (from our example, Red, Green, etc.) into the cells for specific combinations of items and features

Close the page. You can now check individual item cards to see the specified features

Titles

Features can be organized into sections to improve customer experience in the channels.

Create Title line

1. In items Product Features click New or to an Empty line
2. As Line type select Title
3. Fill in Description

Note

All following product features will be indented by one space. Indentation is only for internalorganisational purposes and is not inclooded in any external publications.

Feature Groups

Feature Groups are lines that consist of more features. Feature Groups have the same list of features on every item or category, this is different again Title because titles can be different. A typical scenario for a Feature Group is Size which consists of features like Width, Height, and Depth. Before you can use Feature Group you need to define it.

Create Feature Group line

1. In items Product Features click New or to an Empty line
2. As Line type select Feature Group
3. Select Feature Group in List or create "New"
   1. If new Feature group is created

Feature Value Set

Pimics use a Feature Value Set to define different allowed values on different items or categories but for the same feature. Typical use is for colors, different products can be paid by different colors, but the color sets are different per product group/type. In this case you create Feature Value Set for each Product Type.

Create Feature Value Set

Before you start creating a Feature Value Set you need to define all values on the feature. See how to define values on feature. The steps below shows how to define it on items, the similar steps can be used also for categories.

1. Using Alt+Q, search for PIM Items and open the relevant link.
2. Select an item where you'd like to define other set and select action Features
3. Select a line with a feature that has defined values (See how to define values on feature)
4. Under the group Values select action Create Value Set
   1. The new set has been created and the field Value Set gets a new value
5. Select See Values and change the field Value Allowed
6. Close page Product Features
7. Select another item that will use the same values and select action Features
8. Set field Value Set to the same value as it was in 4.1
   1. Now both items use the same values

Add new value into Feature Set

The value needs to be created in Feature Values first and then defined in all feature sets.

1. Using Alt+Q, search for Features and open the relevant link.
2. Select an Feature where you'd like to change values and open the card page
3. In group Feature Values create a new line. More details in Define Values
   1. The value has been created in all sets.
   2. If the value is allowed or disabled by default is defined by the configuration in Catalog Setup field New Feature Value in Sets
4. Select action Value Set Matrix it shows all value sets
5. You can define if the new value is allowed or disabled for each sets

If you have more than 20 sets it is better to open Value Sets and select lines where you'd like to change the value and run Value Set Matrix in this case it will be filtered for the selected lines.

Working with Item Attributes

Product Features in Pimics are designed to replace the standard Business Central Item Attributes. While we recommend working exclusively with Product Features, you can enable automatic synchronization to Item Attributes when required by other extensions or integrations.

Important

Product Features are the master data source. When synchronization is enabled, Pimics automatically updates Item Attributes whenever you work with features. Never manually edit Item Attributes directly when synchronization is active.

Understanding the Synchronization Process

When you enable synchronization, Pimics automatically maintains Item Attributes in the background as you work with Product Features. This happens automatically when you:

• Create or update a feature definition
• Add or modify product features on items or categories
• Change feature values
• Delete features

The system transfers the feature name, description, unit of measure, and values to Business Central's Item Attributes structure, creating the necessary relationships automatically.

Note

Synchronization only affects new changes after it's enabled. Existing data is not updated retroactively. Translations are not synchronized and must be managed separately in Item Attributes if needed.

Enable Synchronization

You can control synchronization globally or for individual features.

To enable synchronization globally:

1. Using Alt+Q, search for Catalog Setup and open the page
2. Locate the synchronization settings in the Allocations group
3. Choose whether to synchronize all features by default:
   • Yes - All features will synchronize to Item Attributes automatically
   • No - Features remain only in Pimics unless individually enabled (recommended default)
4. Close the page

Note

Changing this setting affects only future features. Existing features and data are not impacted until you modify them.

To control synchronization for specific features:

1. Using Alt+Q, search for Features and open the list
2. Open the feature card you want to configure
3. In the Details group, set the synchronization preference:
   • Default - Follow the global setting from Catalog Setup
   • Yes - Always synchronize this feature, regardless of global setting
   • No - Never synchronize this feature, keep it only in Pimics
4. Close the page

This allows you to keep most features in Pimics while selectively synchronizing only those required by other systems.

Working with Synchronized Features

Once synchronization is enabled, simply work with your features normally. The system handles Item Attribute updates automatically in the background.

When you:

• Create a feature → Pimics creates the corresponding Item Attribute
• Update feature details → Pimics updates the Item Attribute with the same information
• Add feature values → Pimics creates Item Attribute Values linked to the feature
• Assign features to items → Pimics maintains the Item Attribute Mapping

Everything happens automatically without additional steps.

Restrictions and Important Considerations

Polyvalent Features cannot be synchronized

Features with Polyvalent enabled cannot synchronize to Item Attributes. The system will prevent you from:

• Enabling synchronization on a Polyvalent feature
• Making a synchronized feature Polyvalent
• Using global synchronization when Polyvalent features exist with default settings

Warning

Once synchronization is enabled for a feature, both systems maintain the relationship. If you need to modify the feature structure (like changing the unit of measure), those changes must be manually updated in Item Attributes as well. Consider carefully which features truly need synchronization.

What is synchronized:

• Feature names and descriptions
• Feature values and their descriptions
• Units of measure
• Relationships between features and items

What is NOT synchronized:

• Translations (manage separately in Item Attributes if needed)
• Feature history and audit information
• Advanced Pimics-specific configurations

Migrating Existing Item Attributes

If you already have data in Item Attributes before implementing Pimics, you should migrate that data into Product Features to maintain a single source of truth. The process is available under Assisted Setup.

Tip

Contact Allium support for guidance on migrating existing Item Attribute data to Product Features. The migration process depends on your data volume and structure.

Feature Matrix

Feature Matrix is Excel like spreadsheet, that allows you to See all Items and all features assigned to them in 1 view.
Matrix can be Transposed.

Filtering

To filter on features

1. Click on List View
2. Select Filter By Pim
3. In field Type select Feature
4. In Field Name celect one of the presented options
5. In Firld Value You can manualy fill in, or select from the list
6. Click Ok

Tip

If you wisht to filter on specific Feature and its Value, in first row of the filter set Field name to Description and in second row on the specific Value tied to said feature.

Realted Information

manage items
define rules