Product Families (SynSets™)

What are Product Families (SynSets™)?

Product Families, also known as SynSets™, allow you to group multiple individual SKUs and sell them together as a single unit. When a customer orders a SynSet, the system automatically deducts inventory from all included SKUs.

For example, you can create a “Gift Basket” that includes 3 chocolates, 2 candles, and 1 gift card. When someone purchases the Gift Basket, ShipEdge Core automatically reduces inventory of each individual item.

Common Use Case

Use SynSets to sell promotional bundles, gift sets, complementary product kits, or special combos without having to create separate physical SKUs.

Why Use SynSets™?

Simplifies Catalog

Sell multiple products as one without creating additional physical SKUs.

Automatic Stock Management

Inventory is automatically calculated based on component SKUs.

Increases Sales

Create attractive bundle and kit offers to increase average order value.

Total Flexibility

Configure specific quantities, shipping methods, and custom rules for each SynSet.

How SynSets™ Work

When you create a SynSet, you define:

1. SynSet Name: A unique identifier (can be the same as an existing SKU or completely new)
2. Included SKUs: The individual products that form part of the bundle
3. Quantities: How many units of each SKU are included
4. Available Stock: Automatically calculated based on component inventory

Automatic Stock Calculation

The system calculates how many SynSets you can form based on the SKU with the lowest available inventory.

Example:

If your “Holiday Bundle” SynSet includes:

• SKU-A: 3 units (100 in stock)
• SKU-B: 2 units (50 in stock)
• SKU-C: 1 unit (80 in stock)

SynSet Available Stock:

• SKU-A allows: 100 ÷ 3 = 33 bundles
• SKU-B allows: 50 ÷ 2 = 25 bundles ← Limiting
• SKU-C allows: 80 ÷ 1 = 80 bundles

Result: You can only create 25 Holiday Bundles before running out of SKU-B.

Create a New SynSet™

1. Access the SynSets List

   Navigate to Inventory → Product Management and select the SynSets™ tab or link.

2. Click “Create SynSet”

   On the SynSets list page, click the Create SynSet or Add SynSet button.

3. Complete Basic Information

   • SynSet Name: Unique name to identify the bundle
   • Description: Detailed description of the SynSet (optional)
   • Mix Max: Maximum allowed quantity for mixing/combining (optional)

4. Configure BOM SKU (Optional)

   The BOM SKU (Bill of Materials SKU) is a main SKU that represents the complete bundle:

   • If you specify a BOM SKU, the system will mark that SKU as “BOM” in the product catalog
   • Useful for integrating with external systems or marketplaces
   • The BOM SKU must exist in your product catalog before assigning it

5. Select Shipping Method (Optional)

   If you want to use a specific shipping method for this SynSet, select it from the dropdown list.

6. Enable BOM SKU QTY (Optional)

   If you enable BOM SKU QTY, the system will send BOM SKU quantities back to the marketplace or integrated system.

7. Save the SynSet

   Click Save or Create to save the initial SynSet configuration.

8. Add Component SKUs

   After creating the SynSet, you’ll be redirected to the Add SKUs page:

   • Search or enter each SKU you want to include
   • Specify the Quantity of each SKU
   • Click Add to add each SKU to the SynSet

9. Review and Confirm

   Once all SKUs are added, return to the SynSets list to verify:

   • Automatically calculated available stock
   • Included SKUs with their quantities
   • BOM SKU and shipping method configuration

Advanced SynSets™ Features

BOM SKU (Bill of Materials)

Assign a main SKU that represents the complete SynSet. Useful for integrating with marketplaces like Amazon or Shopify.

Mix Max

Define the maximum allowed quantity for mixing or combining SKUs in the SynSet. Control your bundle’s flexibility.

Custom Shipping Method

Configure a specific shipping method for the SynSet, different from standard methods.

Attached Instructions

Add special packing instructions or attachments to guide warehouse staff.

BOM SKU (Bill of Materials)

The BOM SKU is a “virtual” SKU that represents the complete SynSet in external integrations:

• How It Works: When you assign a BOM SKU, that SKU is marked as “BOM” in your catalog
• Main Use: Integrate with marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, Shopify) that require a unique SKU for the bundle
• Requirement: The BOM SKU must exist previously in your product catalog
• BOM SKU QTY: If you enable this option, BOM SKU quantities are synchronized with the marketplace

Important

You cannot use the same BOM SKU for multiple SynSets. Each SynSet must have its own unique BOM SKU or none at all.

Advanced Stock Management

The system automatically updates SynSet available stock whenever:

• Inventory is received for any component SKU
• An order including the SynSet is completed
• A component SKU’s inventory is manually adjusted

Stock Calculation Formula:

SynSet Stock = MIN(SKU Stock ÷ Required Quantity) for all SKUs

Edit an Existing SynSet

1. Access the SynSets List

   Navigate to the SynSets™ page from the inventory menu.

2. Select the SynSet to Edit

   Click on the name of the SynSet you want to modify.

3. Update Information

   Modify any of the following fields:

   • SynSet name
   • Description
   • Mix Max
   • BOM SKU
   • Shipping method
   • Instructions

4. Add or Remove SKUs

   • To add SKUs: Click the add SKUs link and enter new components
   • To remove SKUs: Use the delete option in the component SKUs list

5. Save Changes

   Confirm modifications and the system will automatically recalculate available stock.

View SynSet Details

To view detailed information of a SynSet:

1. In the SynSets list, click on the SynSet name
2. The view page will show:
   • Basic information (name, description, creation date)
   • Component SKUs with quantities
   • Current available stock of each SKU
   • BOM SKU and shipping method configuration
   • Total calculated SynSet stock

Import/Export SynSets™

ShipEdge Core allows importing and exporting SynSet configurations via CSV files.

Download SynSet Configurations

1. Access the SynSets List

   Navigate to the main SynSets™ page.

2. Click “Download Synset Configurations”

   This will generate a CSV file with all your current SynSets and their configurations.

3. Review the CSV File

   The file will include:

   • SynSet name
   • Included SKUs
   • Quantities
   • Description
   • Calculated stock
   • BOM and shipping method configuration

Upload SynSet Configurations

1. Prepare Your CSV File

   Use the previously downloaded format as a template. Make sure to include:

   • SynSet name
   • SKUs with correct quantities
   • Valid format according to the template

2. Click “Upload SynSets Configurations”

   On the SynSets page, select the upload option.

3. Select the CSV File

   Choose the file from your computer.

4. Confirm Upload

   The system will process the file and create or update SynSets according to the CSV content.

5. Review Results

   Verify that SynSets have been imported correctly in the main list.

Import Tip

Always download a copy of your current SynSets before doing a bulk import. This will serve as a backup in case of errors.

💡 Best Practices

Descriptive Names

Use clear and descriptive names for your SynSets that clearly indicate what the bundle contains (e.g., “Summer-Beach-Kit”, “Gift-Set-Birthday”).

Monitor Limiting Stock

Regularly identify which component SKU is limiting SynSet stock and replenish it first.

Use BOM SKU for Integrations

If you sell on external marketplaces, always assign a unique BOM SKU to facilitate inventory synchronization.

Review Configurations Before Importing

Validate your CSV file before importing SynSets in bulk to avoid configuration errors.

Group Complementary Products

Create SynSets with products that are naturally used together to increase perceived value and sales.

Update Descriptions

Keep SynSet descriptions updated with promotion details, bundle benefits, or special instructions.

Troubleshooting

SynSet Stock Shows Zero Even Though I Have Inventory

Problem: The SynSet shows stock 0 even when component SKUs have inventory.

Solution:

• Verify that all component SKUs have available stock
• Identify the SKU with lowest relative stock (available stock ÷ required quantity)
• That SKU is limiting SynSet stock
• Replenish the limiting SKU to increase SynSet stock

I Can’t Assign a BOM SKU

Problem: When trying to assign a BOM SKU, you receive an error or the system doesn’t allow it.

Solution:

1. Verify that the BOM SKU exists in your product catalog
2. Make sure the BOM SKU is not assigned to another SynSet
3. If the SKU doesn’t exist, create it first in the product catalog and then assign it to the SynSet

SKUs Don’t Get Added to the SynSet

Problem: When trying to add SKUs to the SynSet, they don’t save or an error appears.

Solution:

• Confirm that SKUs exist in your product catalog
• Verify that you’re entering quantities greater than zero
• Make sure the SynSet name is not the same as an existing individual SKU (unless you intentionally want it)

SynSet Doesn’t Appear in External Integrations

Problem: The created SynSet doesn’t synchronize with your connected marketplace (Shopify, Amazon, etc.).

Solution:

1. Assign a BOM SKU to the SynSet
2. Enable the BOM SKU QTY option if the integration requires it
3. Verify inventory synchronization configuration in the integrations module
4. Review synchronization logs to identify specific errors

Error Importing SynSets CSV

Problem: When trying to import a CSV file, you receive errors or SynSets don’t get created.

Solution:

• Verify that the CSV file uses the correct format (download a template as reference)
• Make sure all SKUs mentioned in the CSV exist in your catalog
• Verify that quantities are valid numbers greater than zero
• Confirm there are no special characters that break the CSV format

Important Considerations

Stock Warning

When you delete a SynSet, the system does not automatically restore inventory. Stock adjustments already applied to orders remain unchanged.

• Unique Names: Each SynSet must have a unique name in your account. There cannot be two SynSets with the same name.
• Unique BOM SKU: A BOM SKU can only be assigned to one SynSet at a time.
• Real-Time Stock: SynSet stock is automatically recalculated whenever a component SKU’s inventory is updated.
• Integrations: To synchronize SynSets with external marketplaces, make sure to correctly configure the BOM SKU.

Common Use Cases

1. Gift Sets and Promotional Bundles

Create SynSets for seasonal offers:

• “Valentine’s Day Gift Set” (chocolates + flowers + card)
• “Back to School Bundle” (backpack + notebooks + pencils)
• “Holiday Special Pack” (decorations + candles + treats)

2. Complementary Product Kits

Group products that are used together:

• “Skincare Routine Kit” (cleanser + toner + cream)
• “Coffee Lover Bundle” (coffee + mug + filters)
• “Artist Starter Pack” (brushes + paints + canvas)

3. Products with Components

For products shipped in parts:

• “Furniture Set” (table + 4 chairs)
• “Gaming Setup” (console + controller + HDMI cable)
• “Kitchen Appliance Kit” (blender + accessories + recipe book)

4. Quantity Discount Offers

Create quantity bundles:

• “3-Pack Protein Bars” (3x protein)
• “Family Size Combo” (4x individual servings)
• “Bulk Pack Socks” (6 pairs of socks)

Related Pages

Next Steps:

• Product Management - Learn to create and manage individual SKUs that will form part of your SynSets
• Product Catalog - Explore how to organize your complete catalog including SynSets
• Integrations - Configure SynSet synchronization with external marketplaces

See Also:

• Creating Products - Create the component SKUs needed for your SynSets
• Distribution Centers - Manage SynSet inventory across multiple warehouses