Automating inventory consumption with Bill of Materials (BoM) in Gelato Connect helps streamline production workflows by reducing manual effort. This feature lets you define how various inventory components—like mouldings, glass, and packaging—are consumed when a finished product is ordered. The system then automatically deducts the right quantities from inventory, ensuring better accuracy and operational efficiency. This guide explains how to configure BoM rules in Gelato Connect and optimize inventory control for your production environment.
Understanding Automated Inventory Consumption with BoM
Automated consumption via BoM allows Gelato Connect to manage multiple inventory deductions when a single product is ordered. It works by linking each product SKU to the raw materials it requires. This setup is especially useful for framed prints or custom items that include several components.
Benefits of this feature include:
Automatic Inventory Control
Inventory items like wood, acrylic, and packaging are deducted automatically when a product is ordered.Streamlined Setup
Use the visual interface or Excel import/export to define consumption rules per SKU quickly.Flexible Product Compatibility
Works with both custom product models and those from Gelato Create.Bulk Editing Capabilities
Easily manage large-scale updates through Excel-based imports and exports.
Configuring Bill of Materials Rules
Navigate to Consumption Rules
Start by accessing the settings where BoM rules are configured:
Go to the Procurement section in Gelato Connect.
Open Inventory Management.
Click on Consumption Rules.
Create a New Consumption Rule
Click Add New Rule.
Enter a name for the rule, such as “Frames Consumption Rule”.
Choose a product model. You can select from:
Your own custom models.
Models created in Gelato Create.
You can apply rules to any enabled product models in your tenant.
Define Product Attributes
Select the attributes that describe your product model—like size, color, or frame type. These parameters help you match specific materials to each SKU.
Specify Inventory Categories
Next, define the materials that will be consumed per product:
Wood → Choose specific mouldings like black or white from inventory SKUs.
Acrylic Glass → Select the matching acrylic SKU.
Packaging → Pick relevant packaging materials from inventory.
For each material, you can set how many units are consumed per order.
Map Inventory Items to SKUs
Click Map Materials to see a list of product UIDs (unique identifiers).
For each SKU:
Assign inventory items for each category (wood, acrylic, packaging).
Set the quantity to be deducted per order.
Click Save Changes to confirm.
Activate Automated Consumption
After saving the mappings, the system will:
Automatically deduct the defined materials from inventory when orders are placed via Gelato Connect Workflow or Gelato Create.
Bulk Editing and Use Cases
Edit BoM Rules in Bulk
To make large-scale changes:
Click Export to download the current SKU-to-material mappings in Excel format.
Make updates offline.
Re-import the file to apply changes.
Real-World Example
Let’s say you sell a 500 x 700 mm black frame. You can define this BoM:
3 units of black moulding
1 unit of acrylic glass
1 unit each of two packaging types
Every time this frame is ordered, Gelato Connect will automatically deduct these specific quantities from your inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this feature for any product model?
Yes. You can apply BoM rules to both custom models and those from Gelato Create, as long as they are enabled in your tenant.
Do I have to configure each SKU manually?
No. You can bulk-edit mappings using Excel for faster updates.
Will this impact order processing speed?
No. Inventory deductions happen automatically in the background and do not delay order processing.
Is it possible to track deducted inventory items?
Yes. Deductions are reflected in the Inventory Management section, allowing for full traceability.
📝 Not what you needed?
Help us improve this article, send us an email to [email protected] — please include the article title.