Variant products are an effective way to offer customers different size, color, and other selection options on a single product page in AI Commerce . They are more convenient than building a completely separate product or URL for each small difference. In this article, we will go through step by step when to use variant products, how to technically create and manage them in AI Commerce , and how they differ from, for example, group products and option products. We will also explain how variants can be used together with a bundle product.

What is a variant product and when is it used?

1. Basic principle
   • Variants are sub-products formed from the main product, which have their own product information such as EAN code, balances and a possible separate price.
   • They are great if you need different size or color options to choose from, and you don't want a separate URL or completely separate product page for each option.
2. When to use a variant and not an option product?
   • Variant = a predefined fixed combination of options (e.g. “S-size, black color”). In other words, a variant always consists of options. Each combination of options must have its own unique SKU. The combination can also be given its own price and balance control. The SKU goes into the ERP system as is, so the ERP needs a counterpart for the finished combination. In a variant, you want to closely track the balances, EAN codes or other unique identifiers of different combinations (e.g. “S-red” has its own inventory line).
   • Option product = the basic body of the product, to which no fixed combinations have yet been tied. The customer “builds” the combination themselves. An additional price can be given for each option. Options do not have balances. Therefore, options can be used to build an unlimited number of different, undefined combinations for which there is no ready-made counterpart in the ERP. Only the main product goes into the ERP system, and information about the selected options is transferred in the comment field of the order product.
3. When to use variants and not group products?
   • Group product : each option is actually a different product (its own URL, its own product name). The links may look the same on the product card, but clicking will always take you to its own product page. There are many different types of group products, e.g. “Group Collection” and “Configurable” are just different ways of presenting group products in the user interface. A group product is a good solution when each option requires a significantly different product description or you want each option to appear in search engines as its own page (e.g. different iPhone models).
   • Variant product : a single product for which different predefined combinations of options (size, color, etc.) are selected. The URL of the page does not change between the selections, because technically it is one and the same product. A variant product is good when the products are largely similar and the customer makes a selection on the product page (e.g. clothing sizes and colors). Variants are not suitable for cases where the product description or attributes change based on the selections.
4. Updating prices and product descriptions
   • With a variant, the price updates as selections are made. The system “overwrites” the price inherited from the main product if the variant has its own price.
   • If you want the same price for each variant, keep the Variant Price field blank or zero.
   • If you want each option to have its own product page and content (long product descriptions, etc.), prefer group products, because by default a variant product does not re-render the page based on each selection.
5. Examples
   • Phones (group products) : For iPhones, each memory, color, and model has its own page because customers are optimizing for search engines or looking for the exact model.
   • Clothing (variant products) : same product page, customer selects size and color on product card. Usually, there is no need for a separate URL for each variant.
6. Note: Variant products and PIM/ ERP
   • Both variant products and group products can be managed from a product information management system (such as Akeneo).
   • ERP integrations can also be configured so that each variant appears in the ERP system as its own product, although AI Commerce bundles them together to clarify the customer's purchasing process.

Combining a bundle product and a variant product

In a bundle product, the main product can be set to a variant product. This means that the customer selects the necessary variants on the product page before moving to the bundle configurator. The variant selection is maintained throughout the configuration process and is finally transferred to the shopping cart when the assembled bundle is added to the shopping cart. This allows you to offer the customer a flexible way to assemble entities (e.g. main product + accessories), where the main product can have several different variants.

Creating a variant product in AI Commerce

1. Start with the basic product

• Go to the Control Panel (Products view) to create a new product or select an existing basic product that you want to modify as a variant.
• In AI Commerce you can modify an already created basic product into a variant without having to rebuild it, unlike in some other systems (e.g. Akeneo).

2. Set the product option names and their values (Options page)

1. Open the Products > Options view to create a new option (e.g. koko , vari , materiaali ).
   • Code : write in lowercase letters and replace spaces with underscores (e.g. koko_s , varit , etc.).
   • Name : the name to display on the product card (e.g. “Size”).
   • Description : can act as a tooltip-like explanation for the customer (e.g. “Select product size”).
   • Sequence number : the order in which the option appears in the user interface.
   • Press “Insert” to save.
2. Add product option values (“Option Values”)
   • Select which option this value belongs to (e.g. “Size” or “Color”).
   • Enter the code (e.g. s , m , l or black , red ).
   • Enter a name (e.g. “S”, “M”, “L” or “Black”, “Red”).
   • If you wish, fill in the Option Specification field so that you can group colors, for example, under one main category.
   • HEX value (optional) if it is a color choice.
   • Weight and sequence number (determines where the selection appears).
   • Press “Insert.” This will add all the necessary values.

Please note: It is essential to keep the codes unique if you are using CSV runs or if Akeneo is updating the data. At the API/CSV level, these codes help to correctly identify the options and their values.

3. Change the base product to a variant on the product's Stock tab

1. Open the product's “Edit” view and go to the “Stock” section.
2. Set the same “Product Options” settings as for option products, i.e. choose which option names and values to use for the product (e.g. Size: S, M, L + Color: Black, Red).
3. Now the product is variant-ready. Next, we create the concrete variant lines.

4. Create Product Stock Variants

1. In the Stock view or “Product Stock Variants” you define the actual combinations:
   • “S + Black”
   • “S + Red”
   • “M + Black”
   • etc.
2. For each variant you can give:
   • EAN code or other unique identifier.
   • Variant price : Overrides the main product price when all selections are made. Leave 0 or blank to use the main product price.
   • Purchase Price : If you use purchase price tracking, the system updates the moving average in inventory management.
   • The content of the Warehouse field (e.g. own warehouse or manufacturer's warehouse). You cannot edit this manually, it comes from interfaces or configuration.
3. Press “Update” to save the variant row. You can add multiple variants for one and the same product.

Additional tips and notes

• Inventory management
  • Each variant has its own balance. Updating is easy when you keep track of the stock levels of different sizes and colors.
  • If you have a manufacturer warehouse interface integration, the Warehouse field can automatically display the manufacturer's balance. You can still add your own balances that will be prioritized for sales.
• Pricing models
  • If you set the same price for all variants, you don't need a variant price. Leave it 0 or blank.
  • The variant price will only be updated on the product page once all necessary selections have been made.
• Synchronization with Akeneon/ ERP
  • When using Akeneo (PIM) or an ERP system, you can automate variant updates via CSV or API.
  • Each variant can appear in ERP as a separate product for inventory and reporting purposes, even though AI Commerce displays them as the same main product to customers.
• Bundle and variant products together
  • If the main product of a Bundle product is a variant product, the customer can first select the desired variants on the product page. After this, they will be taken to the Bundle configurator, where any other products or accessories can be selected. The variant selection will be retained until the end of the process, and when the customer adds the configured Bundle to the shopping cart, the selected variants will be saved.

Summary

A variant product in AI Commerce is an ideal choice when you don't want dozens of separate product pages or URLs, but need your own balances, EAN codes or prices for different size/color combinations. At the same time, it enables a flexible customer experience and simplifies product management. If each product variant requires its own product page with search engine optimized information, a group product is a better solution. Also note that you can combine a variant and a bundle product if necessary, making versatile choices possible for the customer in one package.