Creating the Item Category Hierarchy for Customer Portal

With item categories already defined, you can create the portals item category hierarchy using the  Item Category Workbench form. You can add unlimited categories and subcategories to set up your hierarchy structure, and then associate items with the appropriate categories and subcategories. You also can remove categories and items as needed.

To add categories and items to the item category hierarchy:

  1. Open the Item Category Workbench form.
  2. In the hierarchy tree on the left side of the form, select the category to which to add subcategories.
  3. Make sure the Display Current Search field is cleared. All categories active for the portal and all items in the items table are displayed on the Categories and Items tabs.
  4. On the Categories tab, select subcategories to add to the selected category and then select  Actions > Save.
  5. Repeat steps 2 - 4 for as many categories and subcategories as necessary for your structure.
  6. In the hierarchy tree, select a category or subcategory to which to add items.
    Note: Categories that are set up as headings on theItem Categories form are not intended to contain items. These categories are displayed in larger and bold type on the portal, and are meant to be containers of other categories.
  7. On the Items tab, select items to add and then select Actions > Save.
  8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 for as many categories and subcategories as necessary. You can see how your item category hierarchy will appear to portal users by logging in to the Customer or Reseller Portal and selecting the Products page.
Note: Portal catalogs can be used to assemble subsets of items and assign them to certain customers. More information is provided in the portal administration guide.