Marketing Portfolio & Revenue Management

1. Scope

The scope of this process involves the creation and structure of the company's product portfolio, aiming to facilitate organization and hierarchy. Additionally, it includes exploring different marketing functionalities provided by the system to leverage the full advantage of each of them.

• Portfolio

  • Product Types

  • Categories Products

  • Catalog

• Revenue Management

  • Pricing

  • Offer Management

  • Coupons

• Analysis and Improvement

  • Analysis

  • Reports

1.1. Software Coverage

• Portfolio

  • Product Creation

    • Product Types

  • Categories

    • Navigation

    • Typology

    • SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)

  • Products

    • Product Types

    • Physical Characteristics (Weight, Volume)

    • Graphics

    • Positioning

  • Catalog

    • Commercial (Prices and Volumes)

    • Filters

    • Catalog Sorting

    • Quick Purchase with Selectable Pickers

    • Product Tags: New, Discount, Free Shipping, and customizable generic tags

• Revenue Management

  • Price

    • Lists

    • Rules

  • Offers

    • Product Cross-Selling Screen

    • Rules

    • Coupons

• Analysis and Improvement

  • Analysis

  • Reports

2. Definitions

It is essential to understand the main functionalities offered by the system to carry out effective product marketing and catalog management. Additionally, implementing the best strategies to attract the public's attention to the benefits and services offered by the company.

First and foremost, it is valuable to identify the different terms used in the system to better understand their purpose and operation.

What are Campaigns or Cycles? Campaigns or Cycles refer to a defined period set by the company (typically based on a range of months by default), during which a certain number of sales or specific products must be sold, based on the ongoing campaign.

What is a Product Category? Product categories allow for the restructuring and hierarchical organization of products based on their shared attributes. Products can be divided into categories and subcategories according to their characteristics.

What is Revenue Management? Revenue Management involves strategically managing and maximizing profitability in sales. In S4DS, this mainly involves pricing and offers.

Why are rules applied during the product purchase process? Rules are a set of conditions defined to execute a process or operation (e.g., when a person purchases X product, then offer a reward). In the sales process, rules allow for controlling and managing processes automatically based on specific conditions. This functionality is highly flexible in its application.

3. Highlighted functionalities

3.1. Products portfolio

• Products: The platform offers various configurations for products based on the company's needs, facilitating better management, distribution, and administration of product portfolios.

• Catalogs: Multiple catalogs can be configured according to the company's strategies and requirements (e.g., setting up catalogs based on specific countries).

3.2. Revenue management

• Usage of Different Price Lists: Price lists can be configured to assign different product prices to the sales force based on their performance classification.

• Application of Discounts: Applying discounts to products is a high-impact sales strategy. The system allows for various methods and strategies to implement these discounts, which can attract more customers and incentivize purchases.

• Boosting Offer Management: The system supports the implementation of various offers to enhance marketing strategies and increase sales, such as applying coupons and cross-selling.

• Applying Rules for Sales Processes: Rules enable the execution of additional functionalities, such as applying discounts to specific individuals or enabling special offers. The company can use this functionality to enhance and improve sales through various strategies.

4. ​Conditions

For the proper use of the software's functionalities, it is necessary to have the following technical and/or business elements defined beforehand:

• Product Content: Define the focus and necessary objectives that the product content will encompass.

• Categorization and Distribution of Products: Determine the type of content to be used (images, text, video) for categories and products.

• Product and Category Structure Plan: Establish the grouping, structure, and distribution of the different products in the portfolio, for example:

  • SKU schema definition

  • Subcategory definition

  • And other related aspects

• Image Repository for References: Predefine the catalog of images to be used for products and all related information.

• Defining Specific Timeframes for Campaigns/Cycles: Set the start and end dates for the campaigns according to the business model.

• Pricing and Offer Strategies: The company should have a clear understanding of pricing and offer strategies, including when and how to apply discounts or offers, to avoid cannibalizing its products.

5. Software Functioning

5.1. Journey

The Marketing team at ABC LLC, led by Brenda, needs to implement various strategies for a proper product structure and, additionally, apply different promotions or discounts to attract more customers and increase sales.

Brenda, as the head of Marketing, is responsible for the following processes:

• Portfolio: Brenda and her team need to devise different strategies to reach the target audience, but before that, they must configure and structure the portfolio to maintain order and distribution.

  • Types of products

  • Categories

  • Products

  • Catalog

• Revenue Management: Once the Marketing team has defined the portfolio for sales, it is essential to apply various methods to facilitate product search, recommend related products, and apply different coupons and discounts to stimulate sales.

  • Pricing

  • Offer Management

  • Coupons

• Analysis: Finally, the team can analyze and monitor the results of the defined strategies.

  • Analytics

  • Reports

By effectively implementing these strategies and utilizing the functionalities provided by the software, Brenda's team can optimize their marketing efforts and drive greater success for ABC LLC.

6. Configurable Elements

The following are the elements to configure in the software:

6.1. Main Configurations

• Configuration of campaigns / cycles

• Configuration of SKU categories

• Configuration of SKU types (size, color, etc.)

• Configuration of product categories and subcategories

• Configuration of product creation by screen and by upload

• Configuration of catalog creation by screen and by upload

• Association of products to catalogs.

• Price lists and discounts in product-catalog association fields

• Configuration of business rules for discounts and promotions

• Creation of coupons

• Creation of offers.

The marketing team at ABC LLC, led by Brenda, is responsible for setting up and configuring various aspects of the platform to ensure effective product management and promotion. This includes defining campaigns or cycles, creating, and organizing product categories, setting up different SKU types, and configuring pricing and discounts. Additionally, they create and manage catalogs, associate products with catalogs, and implement business rules for promotions and discounts. The team also has the authority to create coupons and set up attractive offers to entice customers and drive sales. By effectively managing these configurations, Brenda's team can optimize their marketing efforts and enhance the overall customer experience.

6.2. Configuración de Módulos Relacionados

• Configuration of currencies for handling monetary aspects related to products.

• Configuration of warehouses for inventory control of products

• Configuration of tax types

The marketing team at ABC LLC, led by Brenda, also handles important configurations related to the financial aspects of the products. This includes setting up and configuring currencies to manage pricing and transactions in different currencies, allowing the company to operate in multiple markets with ease.

Additionally, the team configures warehouses to effectively manage the inventory of products. By defining and organizing warehouses, Brenda's team can monitor stock levels, track product availability, and ensure seamless order fulfillment.

Furthermore, the team is responsible for configuring tax types, ensuring compliance with local tax regulations, and accurately calculating taxes on sales transactions. This ensures that the company adheres to tax requirements and avoids potential issues related to tax compliance.

By successfully configuring these elements, the marketing team can streamline financial operations, maintain accurate inventory records, and provide customers with transparent pricing information, ultimately contributing to the success of ABC LLC's marketing strategies.

6.3. Configuración del Módulo

6.3.1. Products

To create the product portfolio, the following configurations are necessary:

• Tax Types: Configure the different types of taxes that apply to the products. This includes setting up tax rates, tax rules, and tax calculations for each product category or region.

• SKU Categories: Define the different categories of Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) to organize and group similar products together. This helps in better product management and inventory tracking.

• SKU Types: Set up various types of SKUs, such as size, color, or any other product attribute that requires differentiation. This allows for variations of the same product to be easily managed within the system.

• Product Categories: Create and configure the categories for the products. These categories help in organizing the products based on their characteristics and attributes, making it easier for customers to navigate and find products of interest.

By completing these configurations, the marketing team led by Brenda can effectively create and manage the product portfolio, categorize products for easier navigation, and apply appropriate tax rates and variations to meet the needs of different markets and customer preferences. This will contribute to a well-structured and efficient product catalog for ABC LLC, enabling them to showcase their offerings effectively to their target audience.

6.3.1.1. Product Categories (configuration icon)

This module facilitates the classification of products in the portfolio, allowing for easy separation and grouping of similar products. It enables the creation, modification, and deletion of product categories and subcategories. Additionally, the module supports bulk creation through the use of a flat file import.

By configuring these categories, they are displayed in the e-commerce catalog menu. If a category has subcategories, they will be shown as a dropdown list, and all the subcategories will be listed within it.

No prior configurations are necessary for creating categories.

In the following example, the product categories are as follows:

• Cookware

• Individuals PCS

• Glassware

• Water filters

• Miscellaneous

Each product is associated with a category to facilitate user navigation and help them find products according to their specific category or subcategory. This categorization system improves the overall user experience and ensures a smooth browsing experience on the e-commerce platform.

To configure a parent or main category, you should go to the "Product Categories" manager, located in the "Process Manager." Then, open the modal to create a new product category, fill in the required fields marked with an asterisk, and finally, save the changes.

To configure a child or subcategory, go to the "Actions" column of the parent category to which you want to add a subcategory. This will open the modal to add a new product subcategory, where you can fill in the necessary fields.

The mandatory field "ID" should be a unique consecutive number that you will use while constructing the product categories and subcategories.

The mandatory field "CODE" should contain the name of the category or subcategory.

Related Environment-Variables

Environment variables are another element that allows configuring the visualization and functionality of the software, to customize it according to user preferences. These variables are parameterized from the environment variables manager, by editing the "Value" field.

6.3.1.2. Categories SKU (configuration icon)

Through this administrator, the company can establish the categories it will use to identify the various products it will manage.

In this administrator, relevant information is configured, such as:

• Descriptive name of the category.

• Start index that the category will occupy.

• End index that the category will occupy.

For example: If a SKU category is created to define the color, and it is defined that the color will be represented by positions 7 to 9, then assigning this SKU to a product with the code 50193SPAB1B5 will mean that "AB1" defines the color.

Additionally, this administrator allows the creation, modification, and deletion of SKU categories.

Creating an SKU category does not require any previous configurations.

Configuring an SKU category enables other flows to be set up correctly, such as:

• SKU Types
  This category is visible when creating the SKU type, as they are related to each other for proper functioning. It provides the necessary details for products in the catalog or the list in the e-commerce platform.

6.3.1.3. SKU Types (configuration icon)

After creating the SKU categories, it is necessary to create SKU types, which represent the options within each SKU category. For example, if the following SKU categories were created:

• Color

• Size

• Material

The SKU types for each category would be:

• Color: red, yellow, green, blue

• Size: small, medium, large

• Material: cotton, silk, polyester

Within SKU types, relevant information is configured, such as:

• Code

• Description

• Image of the SKU type

Additionally, this administrator allows the creation, modification, and deletion of SKU types, and it also supports exporting and creating information massively through flat files.

To create an SKU type, it is necessary to have previously created and configured:

• SKU Categories

Configuring an SKU type enables other flows to be set up correctly, such as:

• Products (product listings)

The SKU type is visible in the product details or in the catalog listing in the e-commerce platform.

6.3.1.4. Visualization of products and SKUs

This administrator creates a relationship between an SKU category and a product category to show, in the web catalog filters and in the detailed view of a product, only those SKU categories that correspond or are relevant to the queried product category or the queried product.

For example:

• Suppose there are 4 SKU categories: Size, Color, Weight, Flavor

• And two product categories: Clothing and Food.

• If we associate the SKU categories Size and Color with the product category Clothing, and the SKU categories Weight and Flavor with the product category Food.

• Then, when viewing the detailed view of a shirt, which belongs to the Clothing product category, it will show information about Size and Color but not about Weight or Flavor. Conversely, when viewing the detailed view of a powdered supplement, which belongs to the Food product category, it will show information about Weight and Flavor but not about Size or Color. This relationship helps to filter and display only relevant SKU categories for a specific product category or product, making it easier for customers to find the desired information in the catalog.

6.3.1.5. Additional related functionalities

6.3.1.5.1. Product cost

This module allows configuring the net cost value of the product, which can then be calculated along with other values applied to a product such as discounts, taxes, etc.

In this module, important information related to product management is associated, for example:

• Price

• Points

• Commissionable value (for commission programs)

• Qualifying value (for incentive programs)

• Code for data entry

• Product type (combo, kit, service type)

• And other relevant details

Additionally, this administrator enables the creation, modification, and deletion of configured product costs. To set up the cost of a product, it is necessary to have previously configured and created:

• Warehouses

• Currencies

• Products (product list)

By configuring the cost of products, the system can accurately calculate and manage the final price of a product, considering various factors such as currency conversion, commissions, incentives, and other relevant aspects.

6.3.2. Catalog

The catalog allows organizing and listing the products offered for sale in a specific period, such as a campaign or sales cycle.

In this module, important information related to product and order management is associated, for example:

• Price

• Points

• Commissionable value (for commission programs)

• Qualifying value (for incentive programs)

• Code for data entry

• Product type (combo, kit, service type)

• And other relevant details

Additionally, this administrator allows creating and modifying catalogs. To create a catalog for a campaign, it is necessary to have previously configured and created:

• Campaign

• Products (product list)

The creation of the catalog can be performed by the administrator, and once created, a catalog cannot be deleted. The catalog serves as a key tool for organizing and presenting the products available during a specific campaign, enabling efficient sales and order management.

Related Environment-Variables

Environment variables are additional elements that allow configuring the display and functionality of the software to customize it according to user preferences. These variables are parameterized from the Environment Variables Manager by editing the "Value" field.

6.3.2.1. Products association

Once the company defines the list of products, they are then associated with a catalog to extend the sales features such as prices, discounts, and other attributes. This way, the same product in a catalog can be listed at a regular price and can also be used in a combo or offer at a discounted price, all while maintaining the same stock unit or SKU.

Before making the association between catalogs and products, the following should be configured:

• Currency

• Cycle / Campaign

• Catalog

Once this is done, additional functionalities of the cycle or campaign can be configured, such as:

• Rules

• Offers

• Combos

• Kits

By associating a product with a catalog, other processes can function correctly, including:

• Order taking

• Listing of products by catalog

The products associated with catalogs are visible in the e-commerce platform based on the selected country. Additionally, the selection can also be made through the chatbot.

6.3.2.2. Replicate catalog

Many times companies have the same product portfolio in multiple campaigns or cycles.

This function allows copying the information from previous catalogs to the selected cycle, thereby avoiding unnecessary processes.

To replicate a catalog, the following should be configured beforehand:

• Catalog to be replicated.

• New catalog

6.3.2.3. Additional related functionalities

6.3.2.3.1. Initial Kits

The company can configure the option of conditional registration based on the purchase of a Starter Kit. This means that anyone who wants to become part of the company's sales force will become active once they have purchased this Starter Kit.

The company can assemble the Starter Kit with one or several products from its product catalog or have a virtual product that represents a membership card.

The platform requires that the product to be offered as a Starter Kit is correctly marked at the time of creation. The product creation is done in the Marketing chapter.

6.3.3. Campaigns

6.3.3.1. Channels

This module allows the configuration of different channels, which define the means that the company establishes to promote and sell the products of the sales force.

Additionally, this manager allows creating, modifying, and deleting channels. It is not necessary to have previous configurations to create a channel.

Upon configuring a channel, it enables other flows to be set up correctly, such as:

• Year (campaign/cycle)

• State machine

These are related at the time of configuring the year for the campaign and for the state machine.

6.3.3.2. Cycle Manager (Configuration icon)

Effective management of cycles/campaigns is essential as it helps control the dates for conducting the company's commercial operations. This module allows the configuration of campaign years, and it is recommended to create these on an annual basis.

Key features of the Cycle Manager include:

• Creating and Configuring Campaign Years: The module enables the creation of new campaign years with specific start and end dates. Setting up the years is crucial for planning and executing sales strategies effectively.

• Managing Campaign: The module allows the company to modify or delete existing campaign years if necessary. However, once the years are configured, the channel cannot be modified.

• Channel Configuration: Before setting up a campaign year, the company must have already created and configured channels. Channels define the different media through which products are promoted and sold by the sales force.

• Integration with Campaigns: Configuring a campaign year in the Cycle Manager facilitates the setup of actual sales campaigns within the platform. The link between campaign years and campaigns ensures a seamless and organized sales process.

By effectively managing campaign years through the Cycle Manager, companies can align their sales activities with specific timeframes, making it easier to monitor and evaluate the success of their sales efforts. This approach empowers the company to plan and execute sales strategies more efficiently, leading to improved overall performance.

6.3.3.3. Cycle Group

The "Group" feature in the Cycle Manager allows the company to define the month of the campaign, providing a structured and organized approach to the entire operational process of campaigns.

Key aspects of the Group configuration include:

• Defining Campaign Months: The Group feature enables the company to specify the month in which a campaign will take place. This hierarchical approach helps in better organizing and scheduling the various sales and marketing activities throughout the year.

• Creating Campaign Groups: The Cycle Manager allows the company to create new campaign groups, each corresponding to a specific month or time period within a campaign year. These groups act as containers to group campaigns together based on their respective months.

• Standalone Functionality: The Group configuration operates independently, and its creation does not require any prior configurations or dependencies.

• Integration with Campaigns: Once campaign groups are set up, they serve as a reference point for creating individual campaigns within each respective month. This ensures that campaigns are aligned with their corresponding periods and facilitates better management and tracking of marketing efforts.

By utilizing the Group feature within the Cycle Manager, companies can effectively organize their campaigns, ensuring that sales and marketing activities are executed in a structured manner. This helps in streamlining the overall campaign planning process and enables the company to achieve better results in its sales and marketing endeavors.

6.3.3.4. Mail Group

The "Mail Plans" represent the date range within which orders can be placed for a specific campaign.

The "Mail Groups" are associations made between the Mail Plans and a geographical zone, defining the date range during which a specific zone can place orders for a particular campaign.

To configure or plan the Mail Groups, certain prerequisites must be set up beforehand, including:

• Political divisions

• Territorial divisions

• Zoning information

• Campaigns

• Mail Plans

Once these prerequisites are in place, the Mail Groups can be configured by accessing the Mail Group Manager, located in the process manager. To create a new Mail Group, the user should open the modal window for creating a new Mail Group and fill in the required fields. These fields establish the relationship between the specific geographical zone and the campaign.

The configuration of Mail Groups ensures that orders can be placed within specific date ranges, depending on the campaign and the designated geographical zone. This enables better management of sales activities, ensuring that orders are placed within the intended timeframe and according to the targeted regions.

6.3.3.5. Mailplan

The "Mail Plans" are the date ranges within which orders can be placed for a specific campaign.

To configure the Mail Plans, the prerequisite is to have previously configured the campaigns.

To set up the Mail Plans, you can simply access the Mail Plan Manager located in the process manager. From there, open the modal window to create a new Mail Plan and fill in the required fields. These fields establish the relationship between the date range for orders and the corresponding campaign.

Configuring Mail Plans is essential for managing the order placement period during a campaign. By defining specific date ranges for orders, the company can effectively control and organize its sales activities within each campaign, ensuring that orders are placed within the designated timeframe. This helps streamline operations and ensure a smooth flow of orders during the promotional period.

7. Detailed Scope

7.1. Products Portfolio

The product portfolio is used to ensure proper management of the products that the company offers. It represents the complete list of products and/or services provided by the company.

The organization of the product portfolio is based on the list of products that are associated with a catalog for sales or promotion purposes.

Brenda can manage the product portfolio based on products that have a unique reference code (numeric or alphanumeric) called SKU (Stock Keeping Unit). The SKU serves as the foundation for structuring the business model commercially.

Additionally, Brenda can generate a detailed plan for the product portfolio for each sales cycle or campaign activities through the administration of images, product descriptions/characteristics, price lists, and bundles (products grouped together with unique prices).

General Structure:

• Categories

• Products

• Catalog

By maintaining a well-organized product portfolio and managing it efficiently, Brenda and the company can effectively showcase their products, streamline sales processes, and ensure a consistent and successful marketing strategy.

7.2. ​Product Types

There are different types of products based on their management:

• Standard Products: These are physical products that have inventory associated with them.

• Service Products: These products do not require inventory as they are intangible services.

• Combos: Combos consist of other products associated with them. The final value (price, points, commissionable and qualifying values, etc.) of a combo is determined by the system administrator. The value of its child products is applied proportionally based on the price of the combo itself, or it may not be considered at all, as the "parent" or combo sets the price and other commercial characteristics.

• Bundles: Bundles also include other products associated with them. The final value (price, points, etc.) of a bundle is determined by the sum of its individual items.

These different types of products allow the company to manage a diverse range of offerings, including physical items, services, and bundled packages, catering to the specific needs of their customers and maximizing their sales and marketing strategies.

7.3. ​Categories

Categories allow the classification and grouping of products in the portfolio based on certain shared characteristics.

Categories are useful for:

• Navigation in the e-commerce platform.

• Grouping and conducting searches for products.

• Marketing reports.

• Assigning discount rules to products within a category.

Categories enable the creation of a hierarchical tree, allowing for subdivisions to break down the entire product or service portfolio. This provides businesses with significant flexibility in organizing their products.

The marketing team can define multiple categories for each product, enabling them to group related products on the platform, making it easier for consumers to find relevant items. Categories also facilitate the classification of product offers through automated rules.

• SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) Each product or service is associated with a unique alphanumeric SKU, which is created and used to internally identify, locate, and track a product. It also helps streamline the process of management and order-taking, making it more efficient and agile.

They can be grouped with sales codes.

• Sales Codes: The sales code allows businesses to associate sizes, colors, brands, or any other important classification to group products with a unique sales code, which the end user can select. The SKU can be implemented as the sales code.

For example, a shirt with the same reference but in different sizes can be presented to the user as a single product on the e-commerce platform, and the user will have the option to select the size or color when making a purchase.

7.3.1. ​Products

Products refer to the physical units of inventory that the company has, which can be classified in multiple ways for the purpose of presenting them to consumers or generating reports within the marketing or sales team. Categories are used for this classification.

Pre-configurations

• Currency settings

• SKU structure

• Product categories

• Categories in Joomla navigation menu

• Product configuration/loading

• Catalog configuration/loading

• Catalog assignment to campaigns

• Catalog UX configuration Styles/Modes Pickers/Lists

7.3.1.1. What has to be defined in the product?

Each product must define 4 dimensions of information, which are:

• Physical characteristics

• Tax characteristics

• Graphic characteristics

• Positioning characteristics

Phisical characteristics

Within the physical characteristics, the following definitions can be found:

• Name: The product's name, which should be clear, descriptive, but not overly long.

• Description: This allows adding basic information about the product. Both the name and description can have a primary and a secondary language in rich text format, along with images or videos.

• Weight/Volume: These are attributes of the physical product and can be used by logistics and operational modules for freight calculations, among other things.

• Product Unit: The primary unit in which the product is managed.

• Minimum Quantity: This informs logistically about the minimum quantity at which a restocking alert should be generated.

Graphic characteristics

• Images/Videos: Allows adding multiple images and videos to each product.

Tax characteristics

• Tax Category: A code that will later allow defining whether the product has taxes at the time of sale and enables the calculation of the tax amount.

Positioning characteristics

• SEO positioning for each product with tags, title, and description is used to optimize search engine indexing.

To configure the products, you need to go to the product manager located in the left-hand side menu of the back office. Then, open the modal to create a new product or edit an existing one, and fill in the fields with the relevant information. This includes adding appropriate tags, a well-crafted title, and a descriptive description to enhance the product's visibility and ranking on search engines.

7.3.1.2. ​Product Management

Loading & Exporting of products into the system

The product listing can be loaded from multiple sources and can also be exported, providing flexibility and agility to the marketing team. This can be achieved through various methods:

• Loading via platform screens: Products can be added or updated directly through the platform's user interface.

• Loading via flat file uploads: Product data can be imported using flat files in formats like CSV or Excel, making it easy to manage large sets of products at once.

• Loading via API services: Products can be loaded or updated programmatically through API calls, allowing for seamless integration with other systems or third-party applications.

• Exporting data: The product listing can also be exported, either through the platform's user interface or via automated processes, to obtain a copy of the data for analysis or sharing with external systems.

Additionally, the list of products can be exported to an external system using flat files in Excel format, facilitating data transfer and integration with other tools or platforms.

• User ratings for products: Managing user feedback and opinions about products is crucial for marketing purposes. The marketing team has the ability to control the visibility of information on the website to ensure it aligns with the company's image and values. This includes moderating and filtering user-generated content to avoid any inappropriate language or content that may not be suitable for the company's brand. By actively monitoring and managing user ratings and reviews, the marketing team can maintain a positive brand image and enhance the overall user experience on the website.

7.3.2. ​Catalog

The catalog allows organizing and listing products offered for sale in a specific period, such as a campaign or sales cycle. Additionally, users can locate and learn more about the products or services the company sells or uses for its commercial function. The catalog can also include incentive products or prizes.

Once the company defines the list of products, they are associated with a catalog to extend sales attributes such as prices, discounts, and other characteristics. This means that the same product in a catalog can be listed at a regular price and also be part of a combo or offer at a discounted price, all while maintaining the same stock unit or SKU.

General characteristics of the catalog include:

• Defining commercial attributes for each SKU (e.g., price, commissionable volumes, discounts, equivalent codes, etc.).

• Multiple active catalogs can exist simultaneously with different SKU groupings and distinct characteristics in each one.

• Planning catalogs over time for specific campaigns.

Commercial attributes assigned to products when added to a catalog include:

• Price lists (Retail and 5 different price lists) and the selling currency.

• Percentage of discount.

• Related product codes for cross-selling.

• Highlighted product to feature it on the e-commerce home page.

• Substitute products in case of stock shortages.

• Product equivalence codes with external systems.

• Commissionable and qualifying volume for KPI calculation in compensation plans.

• Product type: Indicates if it is standard, a combo, or a bundle, which is useful for promotions that combine multiple products under a single sales code.

• Activation or deactivation of the product.

• Ability to apply coupons or not for the product.

• Association of loyalty points to the buyer.

• Association of points required for redemption.

• Applicability for redemption in coupons, visibility on the website, or active discount.

• Marking as a featured product in the catalog.

• Extended fields for compatibility or product tagging for rules.

Catalog Planning:

Every company can have multiple active catalogs simultaneously, allowing them to segment the products (SKUs) they wish to sell in each of them.

For the marketing team, it is crucial to be able to segment campaigns throughout the year, where some periods may have special offers and promote different items. For this reason, the S4DS platform allows having multiple campaigns to which one or several catalogs can be associated.

This flexibility in catalog planning enables the marketing team to tailor their strategies and promotions based on different timeframes, target audiences, or specific marketing objectives. It ensures efficient management of product offerings and enhances the ability to run targeted and effective marketing campaigns.

In this way, a catalog is assigned to a specific commercial period, which, for this example, is monthly and is active for the months from January to April.

Catalog Inquiry, Loading, and Export:

For business flexibility, the platform allows working with Excel files that are easily manageable by the marketing team. These Excel files can be loaded into the system with the catalog configuration, allowing for the creation of new catalogs or the editing of existing ones.

This functionality enables the marketing team to efficiently manage and update product catalogs using familiar and easy-to-use Excel files. It streamlines the process of adding new products, modifying pricing, adjusting discounts, and other catalog attributes, ensuring smooth operations and quick updates to the product offerings. Additionally, the platform allows exporting the catalog data back to Excel, facilitating data analysis, sharing, or integration with other systems if needed.

To configure catalogs, you need to go to the "Catalog" tab in the catalog manager, located in the left-hand side menu of the back office. Then, open the modal to create a new catalog or edit an existing one, and fill in the required fields. This process allows you to set up the necessary information, including product listings, pricing, discounts, and other attributes for each catalog.

7.3.2.1. Filters

In this component, users can find the filters they have configured, displayed either vertically or horizontally. This option greatly aids in finding a specific product, either based on its characteristics or category.

Additionally, it includes a "My Favorites" option, where users can add products they like to a list and access them later.

Furthermore, the filter bar also provides an option to choose how many products the user wants to see per page, offering a personalized viewing experience.

7.3.2.2. Catalog sorting

The catalog sorting involves organizing products in the web catalog based on selected tags, such as "New," "Generic," and "Free Shipping."

To display these sorting options for each tag, the configuration set in the CATALOG_PRODUCT_TAGS_CONFIGURATION environment variable must be considered. This configuration determines how the products are categorized and sorted based on the specified tags.

By utilizing this feature, customers can easily filter and view products based on their preferences, such as seeing the newest items, generic products, or items eligible for free shipping. This enhances the user experience and makes it more convenient for customers to find products that meet their specific criteria.

7.3.2.3. Selectable pickers

The system allows for parameterization to show or hide product colors, displayed below each product reference. Additionally, it supports quick purchasing of the selected color.

This feature enables a more personalized and user-friendly shopping experience. Users can easily view available colors for a product and make a quick purchase without the need for navigating to separate product pages. The system's flexibility in configuring color display and the seamless purchase process enhance customer satisfaction and streamline the buying journey.

7.3.2.4. Tags in the products

The system allows creating different tags for products, such as "New," "Free Shipping," "Discount," and a customizable generic tag.

To activate the "New" and "Free Shipping" product tags, you can do it from the "Additional Information" tab in the "Add Product to Catalog" modal. In any of the four "Feature 1, 2, 3, or 4" fields, you can type the name of the tag you want to assign to the product. To mark a product with the "New" tag, you would write "isNew" in any of the four feature fields. Similarly, to mark a product with the "Free Shipping" tag, you would write "FreeShip" in any of the feature fields.

The "Discount" product tag can be activated from the "Mandatory Information" tab in the "Add Product to Catalog" modal, using the "Activate discount" checkbox. If you want to mark a product with the "Discount" tag, simply check this box.

After adding the tags, they will be reflected in the web product catalog and the detailed product view.

Example:

7.3.2.5. Carousels

On the website's homepage, there is a carousel of featured products. The software provides the option to indicate how many products you want to display in the carousel of featured products.

To achieve this, you need to make two configurations. The first one is from the catalog manager, specifically from the "Add Product" modal. You will need to enable the "Featured Product" switch for the products you want to showcase in the carousel.

The second configuration is done through the Joomla platform. From there, you can define the number of products you wish to display in the carousel of featured products. This setting allows you to control the visibility and presentation of the featured products, enhancing the website's presentation and making it easier for visitors to explore the highlighted products.

In summary, the steps to indicate the number of products you want to display in the carousel are as follows:

• Log in to Joomla.

• Go to Modules.

• Find the carousel you want to configure.

• Enter the carousel and go to the COM_MODULES_PARAMS_FIELDSET_LABEL tab.

• Configure the number of products in parameter 7.

• Save changes.

By following these steps, you can easily set the desired number of products to be shown in the carousel on your Joomla website.

The configured number of products will be reflected below the detailed view of a product in the carousel.

7.4. ​Revenue management

Revenue management is a responsibility of marketing, although in some companies, it is shared with the finance department. Its main objective is to maximize the profits of the portfolio by adjusting the marketing mix appropriately. The platform facilitates this by enabling the following:

• Managing price strategy: The platform allows for flexible pricing strategies to optimize revenue generation based on market demand, competition, and other factors.

• Discounts: It provides tools to manage and apply discounts effectively to attract customers and boost sales without compromising profitability.

• Offers: The platform allows creating and promoting special offers and promotions to incentivize customer purchases and increase revenue.

• Coupons: Coupon management features help in running targeted marketing campaigns, attracting new customers, and retaining existing ones.

• Cross-selling: The platform supports cross-selling efforts by suggesting related or complementary products to customers, increasing the average order value.

These functionalities empower marketers to optimize revenue, achieve business goals, and enhance overall profitability by making informed decisions and implementing effective marketing strategies. Collaboration with the finance department ensures alignment with financial objectives and long-term sustainable growth.

7.4.1. Pricing

Many organizations define different price lists for each of their distributor levels. These price list assignments can be as simple as automatically assigning a price list based on the distributor's level or range. In more complex cases, the price assignment may depend on various variables, such as the geographical region and the sales levels achieved in the last month.

7.4.1.1. Pricing lists (defined by rank)

Price lists allow for segmentation and the implementation of commercial strategies based on the performance classification of the sales force.

The S4DS platform defaults to having 5 price lists associated with each product in the catalog, and these lists are typically linked to a range within the distributor's career plan or hierarchy.

However, the platform provides flexibility by allowing more complex price list assignments using its powerful integrated rule engine. This means that organizations can customize how price lists are assigned to products and distributors based on various criteria and conditions defined in the rule engine.

By leveraging the rule engine, companies can implement sophisticated pricing strategies that take into account factors like sales performance, geographic regions, time-sensitive promotions, or other variables. This level of flexibility enables organizations to optimize pricing decisions, align pricing with business objectives, and respond effectively to dynamic market conditions and distributor performance.

In summary, the S4DS platform offers a robust solution for managing price lists and allows organizations to implement tailored pricing strategies to achieve their revenue and sales targets.

7.4.1.2. Discounts

For commercial strategies, such as seasonal promotions or to increase turnover, the company can assign additional discounts to products with the aim of stimulating sales.

Each product in the catalog can have a configured percentage of discount that will be applied to the invoice, but it will also be reflected in the E-commerce website. The discount will be shown to the user during the purchase process, just like in the following example:

[Example on the E-commerce website] Product Name: XYZ Product Original Price: $100 Discount: 20% Final Price: $80

By offering visible discounts on the E-commerce website, the company can attract more customers and encourage higher sales volume. This strategy can lead to increased customer satisfaction, improved customer loyalty, and overall revenue growth. Moreover, the ability to easily apply and display discounts in the online store helps create a more transparent and compelling shopping experience for users.

7.4.2. Offers

7.4.2.1. ​Cross selling

Cross-selling is one of the marketing techniques used to increase the average order value by suggesting related products to customers.

The S4DS platform offers the functionality of linking products so that when a user views the details of a specific product, the system presents them with options of related products, thus increasing exposure and the likelihood of cross-selling.

When a customer views the details of a product, related references are displayed at the bottom, and this feature is also available during checkout. The primary purpose of this functionality is to encourage or increase the customers' interest in additional items. For example, if a customer selects a bralette, the platform might show a related panty to entice them to add it to their purchase. It could also display newly added products as related items to take advantage of potential customer interest.

The same functionality is available from the back office when entering the SKU, as the system will display related products associated with it.

By utilizing cross-selling techniques, companies can effectively increase sales, enhance customer satisfaction, and maximize the revenue potential of each transaction. It enables businesses to offer customers a more personalized and enticing shopping experience, thereby increasing the chances of customers purchasing complementary products or related items.

7.4.2.2. ​Coupons

Coupons are a way to attract traffic and increase user interaction with the brand, but they need to be handled carefully to avoid cannibalizing the more profitable portfolio.

S4DS provides marketing teams with the capability to create two types of item-level coupons:

Discount Coupons: These coupons apply a specific percentage or amount of discount to each item in the order that has been configured to be eligible for the coupon.

Using these item-level coupons, marketing teams can implement targeted promotions to incentivize customers to purchase specific products or product categories. By offering discounts on selected items, companies can effectively drive sales and engagement while ensuring that the promotion does not negatively impact the overall profitability of the portfolio.

Discount Coupon with Weighted Value:

This type of coupon is similar to the previous one but with a difference in how the discount value is applied. The discount coupon with weighted value is divided equally among each item in the order, regardless of their individual configurations for accepting coupons.

In both cases, the discount is applied to each item that has been configured to accept coupons. However, with the discount coupon with weighted value, the discount amount is calculated based on the price of each item. Each item receives a proportionate share of the total coupon value, resulting in a discount that is proportionate to the price of the item.

This type of coupon provides a more balanced and equitable distribution of the discount across all items in the order, regardless of their individual prices or configurations. It allows for fair and consistent discounting, enhancing the customer experience and promoting increased sales without favoring certain products over others.

Order-Level Coupons:

S4DS provides marketing teams with the ability to create two types of order-level coupons:

• Price Coupons (Monetary Value): This type of coupon offers a fixed monetary value discount that is applied to the total order, taking into account the products that have been configured to accept the coupon. Customers can redeem this coupon for a specific amount off their entire order, providing an incentive to make a purchase.

• Price Coupons (Discount Value): This coupon type offers a percentage discount that applies to the total value of the items eligible for the coupon, along with the shipping cost. The discount is calculated based on the combined value of all items in the order that have been configured to accept the coupon, and it also considers the applicable shipping charges.

Both of these order-level coupons allow companies to create attractive promotions that influence the customer's purchasing decision on the entire order. They offer flexibility in incentivizing larger purchases, boosting average order values, and increasing customer engagement with the brand.

With these coupon types, marketing teams can design targeted campaigns to drive sales, attract new customers, and retain existing ones, all while maintaining control over the profitability and impact on the company's revenue. The versatility of order-level coupons allows businesses to adapt their promotions to different marketing objectives and customer segments.

Order-Level Coupons as Payment Method:

S4DS provides two types of order-level coupons that function as a payment method:

• Price Payment Coupon: This coupon offers a fixed monetary value that can be used as a payment for the order, regardless of the configuration of the products. It functions similar to a gift card or voucher, where the user can apply the coupon value towards covering the costs of products, shipping, or taxes. If the coupon value is not fully consumed in a single order, the remaining balance will be carried forward as a credit for the customer.

• Price-Discount Payment Coupon: This coupon generates a payment for a specific value, but it applies to the total value of the items eligible for the coupon, along with the applicable shipping costs. In the system, the coupon is configured as a percentage of the order, but upon redemption, this percentage is converted into an absolute value based on the combined value of the eligible items. The formula used is: (Sum of item values) * (Discount Percentage) + (Shipping Cost) = Value applied to the coupon.

Both of these order-level coupons function as a means of payment and offer users the convenience of using them to cover part or all of their order costs. The ability to apply these coupons at the payment stage provides customers with a seamless and flexible checkout process. Additionally, the system's features ensure accurate calculations and proper allocation of coupon values to the relevant items in the order.

By offering these payment method coupons, companies can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, encourage repeat purchases, and effectively manage promotions and incentives within the order payment process.

In both cases, the coupon value is associated as a payment, and its accounting is recorded in the customer's payment records.

Product Configuration:

The segmentation of coupons for specific products is not done directly in the coupon itself. Instead, each product in the catalog defines whether it can be used with any coupon or not.

If the marketing team decides to exclude a product from the coupon benefit, then when a user adds that product to their cart and tries to apply the coupon, the coupon value will not be applied to that specific item. However, the coupon value will still be applicable to the rest of the products in the cart.

To configure product settings for coupons:

• Go to Catalog > Catalog Manager.

• Click on the ellipsis (...) for actions.

• Select "Edit Details."

In the product details, there will be an option to enable or disable the product's eligibility for coupon usage. By making these settings, marketing teams can control which products can participate in coupon promotions and which products should be excluded.

This level of product-specific configuration ensures that coupons are applied only to the relevant items in a customer's order, allowing for more targeted promotions and accurate accounting of coupon usage for each individual customer. It provides flexibility for marketing teams to design strategic promotions that align with the company's objectives and customer preferences.

If the product should be eligible for coupons, you can select the corresponding checkbox in the product configuration.

Each coupon can have the following characteristics:

• Conditioned by Users: Coupons can be configured to be assigned to a defined group of customers or consultants, allowing only those individuals to use them. This feature ensures that the coupons are targeted to specific segments or loyalty programs, offering personalized promotions to selected users.

• Conditioned by Usage Limit: Each coupon can define a limited quantity available for redemption by users. Once the specified quantity is reached or the validity dates expire, the coupon will no longer function. This limitation ensures that the promotion has a controlled and limited impact, preventing overuse and managing the budget allocation for discounts effectively.

The platform allows the administrator to monitor the redemption status of each promotional reference, providing valuable insights into the performance of the coupon campaigns.

• Conditioned by Validity Dates: Coupons can be assigned specific start and end dates of validity, enabling marketing teams to plan and schedule future promotional strategies. This feature allows for time-sensitive and time-limited offers, creating a sense of urgency and encouraging customers to take advantage of the promotion before it expires.

• Conditioned by Country: Coupons can also be created to be used exclusively in a particular country. If no specific country is specified, the coupon will apply to all countries where the company operates. This localization feature ensures that promotions are tailored to regional markets and comply with local regulations or business strategies.

By incorporating these various conditioning options, the platform enables flexible and targeted coupon campaigns, empowering marketing teams to implement effective and customized promotional strategies that align with their business goals and target customer preferences.

7.4.2.3. ​Gift cards

It is possible to create gift card products with different monetary values that can be used as a payment method on the website. These gift cards are represented by unique codes and can be used by the recipient as a form of payment for future purchases. They function like bearer instruments, and various gift cards can be created for different occasions, such as Mother's Day, Women's Day, Birthday Cards, and other special moments that customers consider significant for their target audience as part of their marketing push strategy.

These gift cards will be visible in the product catalog, and customers can choose to send them via email to the person they wish to gift. Additionally, customers can personalize the gift card by adding a special message.

Example: In the product catalog, customers can find all the gift cards created. For instance, there may be a general gift card with a value of $30.

The availability of such gift cards in the product catalog enhances customer engagement, encourages repeat business, and offers a flexible and thoughtful gifting option for various occasions. By providing customers with the ability to purchase and send gift cards, businesses can extend their reach and offer a more comprehensive and customer-centric shopping experience.

When adding the gift card to the shopping cart, you will have the option to enter the recipient's email address and write a personalized message for the person you are gifting it to:

During the checkout process, after selecting the gift card product and adding it to the shopping cart, the platform will prompt you to provide the recipient's email address. You can enter the email address of the person you want to send the gift card to.

Additionally, there will be a designated field where you can write a personalized message for the recipient. This message will be included along with the gift card when it is sent to the recipient's email address.

7.4.2.4. ​Business rules

Sometimes, businesses require the flexibility to apply discounts, promotions, or commercial actions that involve a higher degree of complexity. To meet this need, the S4DS platform contains a robust Rules Engine that allows the operation of business conditions and the execution of actions on orders, products, or almost any stored data.

Without going into the details of the Rules Engine, which will be explained later, the system defines some key moments where the rules defined by the team can be executed. For example, when an order is in the stage of calculating offers, rules can be applied to adjust or insert rewards in the user's order if they meet the rule's conditions.

The platform offers a wide range of over 150 functions that can be combined logically (IF conditionA AND conditionB THEN action ELSE actionZ).

In this way, the platform can modify or assign the following:

• Sale value or value of each item

• Shipping cost

• Apply coupons to the order.

• Modify prices to different values than the list prices (in percentages)

• Present and/or insert offers in the user's order.

• Insert prizes or incentives.

• And many more (refer to the manual to explore all the different rules that can be applied in the system)

The Rules Engine empowers businesses to create sophisticated and tailored promotions, discounts, and incentives based on specific business conditions and criteria. It enables marketing teams to design dynamic and effective campaigns that respond to customer behavior and business objectives, optimizing the overall user experience and driving sales.

7.4.3. ​Reports for analysis

The teams responsible for managing the company's strategy, whether in marketing or sales, require the ability to analyze the information collected by the system to plan future strategies that have a greater impact in the market.

To address this need, the platform provides an easily accessible information system, available on desktop screens, mobile devices, or downloadable files for personalized analysis.

The platform offers various reporting and analytical capabilities, including:

• Detailed Sales Analysis: The system provides comprehensive sales reports, allowing teams to analyze sales performance, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions to optimize sales strategies.

• Loyalty Plan Status: Teams can monitor the status and effectiveness of loyalty programs, track customer engagement, and identify opportunities to improve customer loyalty and retention.

• Product Performance Analysis: The platform allows for the detailed examination of product performance, enabling teams to assess which products are driving sales and which may need adjustments in marketing or pricing strategies.

• Incentive Winners Reports: The system generates reports on incentive program winners, helping teams understand the impact of incentives on sales performance and motivate sales representatives effectively.

And many others: The platform offers a wide range of reporting and analytical capabilities, enabling teams to gain valuable insights into various aspects of their business performance.

By providing easy access to relevant data and analytics, the platform empowers teams to make informed decisions, identify growth opportunities, and refine their strategies for more impactful marketing and sales initiatives. This data-driven approach helps businesses stay competitive, adapt to market changes, and deliver better experiences to their customers.

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