About product dimensions
Important
This content is archived and is not being updated. For the latest documentation, see Microsoft Dynamics 365 product documentation. For the latest release plans, see Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform release plans.
Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
Product dimensions are characteristics that serve to identify a product variant. You can use combinations of product dimensions to define product variants. You must define at least one product dimension for a product master in order to create a product variant. For more information about products and product masters, see Key tasks: Define products.
Tip
Product variants are also referred to as items. An item is a tangible product, which is not the same as a service. However, in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 it is also possible to define a product master with the Service type. By using the Service type, you can specify product variants that include services. For example, you can specify a product master for Consultancy work and product variants for work that is performed by senior consultants and junior consultants.
The following product dimensions are available: Configuration, Color, Size, and Style. If you want to use the Size and Color product dimensions for different purposes, you can rename these dimensions. For more information, see Rename product dimensions.
The names of product variants are based on product dimension values. To display the product variant names in a translated version on an external source document, such as an invoice, you can translate the product variant names into the language of the customer. For more information, see Translations of product-related information.
Product dimensions are created and maintained in the Product dimensions form, which can be accessed from the following locations:
Click Product information management > Common > Products > Product masters. On the Action Pane, in the Product master group, click Product dimensions.
Click Product information management > Common > Products > All products and product masters. Select a product master. On the Action Pane, in the Product master group, click Product dimensions.
Click Product information management > Common > Released products. Select a product master. On the Action Pane, in the Product master group, click Product dimensions.
The number of variants that you can create for an item is limited by the number of possible product dimension combinations.
Tip
When you use a product on, for example, an order line, you select the product dimensions to define the product variant that you want to work with.
Example
A company sells denim jeans. The item, Jeans, uses the Color and Size product dimensions. The jeans are sold in three different colors and six different sizes.
Colors: Blue, Black, Brown
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Not all sizes are available in all the three colors. If all combinations were available, it would create 18 different types of jeans. In this example, only the following nine product variant combinations are produced.
Color |
Size |
|---|---|
Blue |
XS |
Blue |
S |
Blue |
M |
Black |
M |
Black |
L |
Black |
XL |
Brown |
L |
Brown |
XL |
Brown |
XXL |