eBay Virtual Variations | Setup Parent-Child Relationship Without NetSuite's Matrix Item Functionality

In general, NetSuite supports creating a parent-child relationship between items using NetSuite's native Matrix Item functionality. This feature allows you to leverage the virtual variation functionality by Celigo to setup a parent-child relationship between the Inventory (Matrix & Non-Matrix), Assembly (Matrix & Non-Matrix), and Kit Items without using the matrix item feature in NetSuite.

Using this feature, items set up as Virtual variation items in NetSuite can be exported as regular Matrix Items in eBay. To support this feature, the NetSuite Item to eBay Item Add/Update flow has been enhanced to accommodate creating virtual variation items. The Integration App allows you to use the SUBITEM OF field or a custom field where you specify the parent of an item to create the parent-child relationship needed for an item record in NetSuite.

Note: If you decide to use a custom field for creating a virtual variation relationship, the custom field must be a drop-down field similar to the SUBITEM OF field. 

Prerequisites for Leveraging the Virtual Variation Feature

1. Configure the Advanced Settings

In the Product section, go to Advanced Settings and select a value in the NetSuite Saved Search for syncing Item details drop-down list. Map eBay Variation Specifics to NetSuite Item fields by entering a hard-coded string for Name and internal id of the NetSuite Item field for Value. Now, select the Enable virtual variations checkbox which in turn displays the NetSuite field identifier for variation parent item field. Enter the Field Id value of the NetSuite field where you specify the parent of an item.


Note: By default, the value parent is displayed in the NetSuite field identifier for variation parent item field as a parent is the Field Id value of the SUBITEM OF field in NetSuite. You can change it to the Field Id value of the NetSuite field where you specify the parent of a virtual variation item.

2. Configurations Needed in NetSuite

You need to make the following changes in NetSuite to use this feature:

1. Enable the IS VIRTUAL VARIATION checkbox for the desired item record in NetSuite.
   You need to enable the IS VIRTUAL VARIATION checkbox in the eTail tab of item record for all the items for which you want to establish the parent-child relationship in NetSuite using the virtual variation functionality. This should be done for both the parent as well as the corresponding child items. In addition to this, the “Subitem Of” field on the child item record should be populated with the parent item record.
   
2. Modify Script to Support Information Sync When a Child Item is Edited in NetSuite
   The saved searches in NetSuite only validates the changes directly made into the parent item record. To ensure that the Integration App also syncs any changes made into child item from NetSuite into eBay you need to use the following steps:
   1. Login to your NetSuite account.
   2. Go to Customization > Scripting > Scripts. The scripts page is displayed.
      
   3. Search for the Celigo eBay Item Map UE User Event with Bundle ID as 170343 and click Deployments. The Script Deployment page is displayed.
      
      
   4. Click Edit against RECORD TYPE.
      
   5. Click Parameters sub-tab and enter the same value as mentioned in the NetSuite field identifier for variation parent item field in Advanced Settings of the Integration App. Note: you can leave it blank if using the standard SUB ITEM OF field.
      
   6. Click Save.
   7. Repeat steps 4, 5, 6 for all records types you wish to use for creating virtual variations.

How to Use the Item Export Flow for Real and Virtual Matrix Items

It is possible to map a conditional statement within the 'Map Variation Specifics' to pick between the 2 fields based on the type of matrix.

• Create a new custom field which source from custitem_color for matrix items and custitem_virtual_color for virtual variation items and add that field in Variation Specific Setting mapping in IO. 
  • Use the formula as: CASE WHEN {custitem_celigo_virtualvariation} = 'T' THEN {custitem_virtual_color} ELSE {custitem_color} END.