How to use a reference field for the Input type of Characteristic ?

[Satoshi Abe]

I would like to use a reference field in the Input type of Characteristic (Table:sn_prd_pm_characteristic) that is set in the Specification (Product/Service/Resource). Unfortunately, I could not find a reference field at present; is there any way to achieve this in OOB?

For example, when specifying the information of a customer representative as the delivery address of an Order, I would like to be able to select a record that is already registered as a customer representative in the value of Characteristic by referring to it.

[ShashankInamdar]

Hi @Satoshi Abe 

Reference fields cannot be used as Input type for Characteristics today.

One way of doing this is by defining the Char as String and setting it a value of the field at run time via the Subflows.

For the example you quoted, do you really need a characteristic to store the customer representative information as this seems to be transactional data and perhaps not required to be stored in the Inventory.

Where such transactional data is in quesiton, you may want to consider using a characteristic but not attaching it to a Specification - such that this then can be used as an OLI attribute.

Else of course you can use it as a Specification characteristic.

Irrespective of how you define it, the approach suggested remains the same.

[ShashankInamdar]

Yep. Keep us posted on it goes.

[Satoshi Abe]

@ShashankInamdar 

Thank you for the reply.

When requesting user-side enhancements, there is an Idea Portal, but unfortunately there is no “Telecommunications” or “Sales and Order Management” in the “Product/service” category.

If you know of any, please let me know when raising a request like this, what is the best way to get it to the appropriate person in charge?

[Satoshi Abe]

Hi @ShashankInamdar ,

Thank you for all the helpful information.

I understand that currently we cannot use the reference field as an input type in Characteristic.So I need to set up a key on the subflow side and tie it together.

As you proposed , it would certainly be preferable to have the customer information for the delivery address as an OLI attribute. To do this, I would probably set the OLI attribute in Order Enrichment process. Then I think it would be easier to work with Fulfillment Agents if They could use the reference field in that case.