We have recently added a new powerful type of attribute called a "Computed Attribute". This means that when creating a new attribute you can toggle whether it will be a computed attribute or not. These new attributes allow you to dynamically determine the value of the attributes based on formulas (just like Excel formulas). What makes this unique is that it is built into the PIM and they are stored as attributes, so you can see dynamic changes in real-time before exporting.
In this blog, we will discuss some of the amazing opportunities this new feature opens up!
Calculate Sales Price automatically based on other prices
Let's say you have a simple pricing process for a line of a few hundred small items. You base it off the total cost price and then apply a 20% markup. This can be done easily within the PIM. Simply name a computed attribute "Selling Price" and input a formula like the one below:
([Production Cost]+[Logistics Cost])*1.2
With this computed attribute for selling price, you never have to worry about changing it manually if production or logistics costs change, which can happen regularly within the business world.
Dynamically create descriptions based on other attributes
Imagine you have a product that requires a short description, perhaps for an automatically generated datasheet. This description can be dynamically created using other attributes, so if those are updated you don't have to worry about changing the descriptions too. For example, you have a line of keyboards that needs this short description:
[Brand]&" "&[Colour]&" "&[Product Name]
Which would return:
Logitech Black Gaming Keyboard L503
Split products into groups that may require specific attention automatically
For example, heavier products (In this case TVs, measured in kg) may require special handling and packaging. You can sort this simply within the PIM like this:
IF([Weight]>=5.5, "Heavy", "Normal")
This means that every TV that has a weight equal to or over 5.5kg is classed as a heavy product, and every product under 5.5kg is normal.
Retrieve and display the URLs for images or files associated with each product
For example, a computed text attribute with the following formula
[Image1]+char(10)+[Image2]+char(10)+[Image3]
would return the URLs for the three images on three separate lines. This is useful if certain exports require image URLs in this format.
Export attributes into any format required
Imagine you are a retailer selling TVs. A large wholesaler wants to sell your TVs too but they require their product information in a very specific CSV format. They want the TV specifications to be within one box and separated by a line like this:
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All of these attributes will be stored separately within the PIM, but it is easy to export them in this format if necessary.
"SCREEN SIZE: "&[Screen Size]&char(10)&
"DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY: "&[Display Technology]&char(10)&
"RESOLUTION: "&[Resolution]
This basically means that the computed attribute will check for the values of the Screen Size, Display Technology and Resolution attributes and return the format that you see above.
While these formulas can look confusing at times, they really aren't once you get the hang of them. Anyways, our data team will be helping you set up your attributes and exports for free as part of every package we offer!
You'll find a guide to all our functions here and more functions are going to be added to the formulas soon, so keep an eye out! Find out more by booking a demo below!