Product-Level Customization
Override global settings for individual products that need special handling.
Quick Answer
Product-level customization lets you set different thresholds, lead times, and safety stock for specific products instead of using the global defaults.
What it does:
├─ Override lead time: This product's supplier takes 20 days, not global 15
├─ Override safety stock: This is critical, keep 30 days instead of 15
├─ Override running low threshold: Alert at 60 days instead of 45
├─ Override overstocked threshold: Don't let it exceed 90 days
└─ Per-product rules: Specific to that product only
Why it matters:
- ✅ Handle exceptions (different suppliers, different criticality)
- ✅ Prevent over/under-ordering on special items
- ✅ Account for seasonal or volatile products
- ✅ Maintain global defaults for everything else
- ✅ Fine-tune individual product behavior
Understanding When to Customize
Global vs. Product-Level Settings
Global settings (Folder 08_01):
├─ Applied to: ALL products
├─ Best for: Majority of your catalog
├─ Effort: Set once
├─ Flexibility: Low (one size fits all)
├─ Use: Default behavior
└─ Example: Lead time 15 days for everything
Product-level settings (this guide):
├─ Applied to: Specific products only
├─ Best for: Exceptions and special cases
├─ Effort: Set per product (as needed)
├─ Flexibility: High (complete customization)
├─ Use: Override global for unique needs
└─ Example: Lead time 30 days for Supplier X only
When to Use Product-Level Customization
Situation 1: Different Suppliers
Scenario:
Your global lead time: 15 days
But:
├─ Supplier A (Nike): 5 days (local, fast)
├─ Supplier B (Generic): 15 days (standard)
└─ Supplier C (International): 45 days (overseas)
Problem:
├─ Global 15 days is too long for Nike
├─ Global 15 days is too short for International
└─ Solution: Customize per product
What to customize:
- Nike products: Lead time 5 days
- International products: Lead time 45 days
- Others: Use global 15 days
Effect:
Nike products:
├─ "Running Low" triggers earlier (faster supplier)
├─ Less safety stock needed
└─ Leaner inventory
International products:
├─ "Running Low" triggers earlier (long wait time)
├─ More safety stock needed
└─ Buffer against delays
Situation 2: Critical vs. Non-Critical Products
Scenario:
Your global safety stock: 15 days
But:
├─ Best-seller (critical): Can't stockout, needs 30 days buffer
├─ Niche item (non-critical): Can handle 5 days buffer
└─ Regular item: Use global 15 days
Problem:
├─ 15 days might be too low for best-seller
├─ 15 days might be too much for slow-mover
└─ Solution: Customize based on importance
What to customize:
- Best-sellers: Safety stock 30 days
- Slow-movers: Safety stock 5 days
- Others: Use global 15 days
Effect:
Best-sellers:
├─ Higher safety buffer (protect revenue)
├─ More aggressive reordering
└─ Prevent costly stockouts
Slow-movers:
├─ Lower safety buffer (save capital)
├─ Let them run leaner
└─ Focus capital on fast-movers
Situation 3: Seasonal Products
Scenario:
Product: Winter coat
Global settings:
├─ Lead time: 15 days
├─ Running low: 45 days
├─ Overstocked: 120 days
Off-season (June):
├─ You're overstocked: 300 days of sales
├─ Threshold 120 days doesn't help (alerts everywhere)
└─ Need higher threshold during off-season
In-season (October):
├─ You need more urgency
├─ Normal thresholds apply
└─ Back to global settings
What to customize:
- Off-season: Overstocked threshold 300 days (no urgency)
- In-season: Use global 120 days (normal urgency)
Effect:
Off-season:
├─ Won't spam "Overstocked" alerts
├─ Focus on selling through
└─ Cleaner view of real issues
In-season:
├─ Normal alerts apply
├─ Reorder before season demand peaks
└─ Prepared for peak season
Situation 4: Volatile Demand Products
Scenario:
Product: Trending item (high volatility)
Global safety stock: 15 days
But this product:
├─ Demand swings wildly (10x variance)
├─ Sometimes sells out in 3 days
├─ Sometimes sits for 60 days
└─ Need higher buffer to handle swings
Solution:
├─ Increase safety stock: 15 → 25 days
└─ More cushion for unpredictability
What to customize:
- High-volatility products: Safety stock 25+ days
- Stable products: Use global 15 days
Effect:
High-volatility:
├─ More inventory on hand (more expensive but safer)
├─ Prevents panic stockouts
└─ Handles demand spikes
Stable:
├─ Leaner inventory
├─ Predictable behavior
└─ Capital efficient
Situation 5: Contract/Minimum Order Quantities
Scenario:
Product: Expensive raw material
Contract with supplier:
├─ Minimum order: 100 units
├─ Lead time: 30 days
├─ Cost: $10,000 per order
Global settings assume:
├─ Order size varies (calculated by demand)
├─ Doesn't account for MOQ
└─ Wrong for this product
Solution:
├─ Add MOQ rule: Can't order less than 100 units
├─ Adjust thresholds around MOQ
└─ Account for cost/risk
What to customize:
- Set minimum order quantity: 100 units
- Adjust running low threshold: Account for MOQ
- Adjust safety stock: Match MOQ economics
Effect:
Orders now:
├─ Respect MOQ (never place small orders)
├─ Trigger when enough demand for 100+ units
├─ Avoid wasted orders
└─ Better capital efficiency
How to Customize: Product Detail Page
Step 1: Navigate to Product
Find the product to customize:
Method A: From inventory table
├─ Go to: Inventory Table
├─ Find: Product you want to customize
├─ Click: Product name or row
└─ Opens: Product detail page
Method B: From search
├─ Use: Product search (if available)
├─ Find: Product you're looking for
├─ Click: To open product page
Method C: From PO
├─ In PO: See product listed
├─ Click: Product name
└─ Opens: Product detail page
Step 2: Access Customization Settings
Find where to override global settings:
On product detail page:
├─ Look for: "Settings" tab or section
├─ Or: "Custom Settings" button
├─ Or: "Override Global Settings" option
├─ Or: In sidebar → "Advanced" section
└─ Click: To open customization panel
You should see:
├─ Current global settings (reference)
├─ Toggle: "Override global settings" (ON/OFF)
├─ Fields: Lead time, safety stock, thresholds, etc.
└─ Save button
Step 3: Toggle Override
Enable product-level customization:
1. Look for: "Override global settings" toggle
2. Current state: Usually OFF (using global)
3. Click: Toggle to ON
4. Effect: Fields become editable (were grayed out before)
5. Notice: Original global values still shown (for reference)
Step 4: Set Custom Values
Override specific settings:
LEAD TIME
├─ Global: 15 days (shown for reference)
├─ Custom: [empty field - enter custom value]
├─ Example: If supplier is faster, enter "5"
├─ Example: If supplier is slower, enter "30"
└─ Save: Update is saved immediately
SAFETY STOCK
├─ Global: 15 days (shown for reference)
├─ Custom: [empty field - enter custom value]
├─ Example: If critical, enter "30"
├─ Example: If slow-moving, enter "5"
└─ Save: Update is saved immediately
RUNNING LOW THRESHOLD
├─ Global: 45 days (shown for reference)
├─ Custom: [empty field - enter custom value]
├─ Example: If urgent, enter "60"
├─ Example: If can wait, enter "30"
└─ Save: Update is saved immediately
OVERSTOCKED THRESHOLD
├─ Global: 120 days (shown for reference)
├─ Custom: [empty field - enter custom value]
├─ Example: If seasonal, enter "180" (off-season)
├─ Example: If limited space, enter "90"
└─ Save: Update is saved immediately
Pro tip:
Leave blank = use global setting
Enter value = override with custom value
So if only lead time needs customization:
├─ Lead time: 30 (custom)
├─ Safety stock: [blank] → uses global
├─ Running low: [blank] → uses global
├─ Overstocked: [blank] → uses global
└─ Result: Only lead time customized, rest global
Step 5: Verify Changes
Confirm customization took effect:
On product detail page:
├─ Check: Settings section shows custom values
├─ Check: "Override global settings" toggle is ON
├─ Notice: Custom values displayed (not global)
└─ Confirm: Values make sense for this product
In inventory table:
├─ Go to: Inventory Table
├─ Find: This product
├─ Check: Statuses updated (may take 5-10 min)
├─ Look: For expected "Running Low" trigger point
└─ Verify: Matches new custom settings
In reporting:
├─ Check: Reports reflect custom settings
├─ Example: Reorder points changed
├─ Example: Grades may update (if tied to stock level)
└─ Verify: Everything as expected
Practical Examples
Example 1: Fast Local Supplier Product
Product: Nike Shoes (Supplier A - Local)
Situation:
├─ Supplier: Nike (local, 2-day delivery)
├─ Global lead time: 15 days (too long for this supplier)
├─ Global safety stock: 15 days (too much for fast supplier)
└─ Global running low: 45 days (too late to order)
Current problem:
├─ "Running Low" alert triggers at 45 days
├─ But you could reorder and have it in 2 days
├─ Result: Over-ordering, too much inventory
Solution - Customization:
├─ Lead time: 2 days (instead of 15)
├─ Safety stock: 3 days (instead of 15)
├─ Running low threshold: 10 days (instead of 45)
├─ Overstocked threshold: 30 days (instead of 120)
Effect:
├─ Running Low alert triggers at 10 days
├─ With 2-day lead time, plenty of time
├─ Safety buffer is 3 days (reasonable for fast supplier)
├─ Can't exceed 30 days inventory
└─ Result: Lean, just-in-time inventory
Example 2: Critical Best-Seller
Product: Best-Seller T-Shirt (High Priority)
Situation:
├─ Sells: 100 units/day
├─ Impact: Revenue driver
├─ Consequence of stockout: Very expensive
├─ Can't afford to run out
└─ Need extra protection
Current problem:
├─ Global safety stock: 15 days (1,500 units)
├─ But demand spikes can happen
├─ If spike hits + delayed shipment = stockout
├─ Result: Lost sales, disappointed customers
Solution - Customization:
├─ Lead time: Keep global 15 days (standard supplier)
├─ Safety stock: 30 days (instead of 15)
├─ Running low threshold: 60 days (instead of 45)
├─ Overstocked threshold: 180 days (instead of 120)
Effect:
├─ Safety buffer: 30 days (3,000 units - extra cushion)
├─ Running Low alert at 60 days: Early warning
├─ Can tolerate demand spikes up to 180 days worth
├─ More expensive (capital tied up) but protects revenue
└─ Result: Never stockout on critical item
Example 3: Slow-Moving Niche Item
Product: Niche Widget (Low Priority)
Situation:
├─ Sells: 2 units/day
├─ Impact: Low revenue
├─ Consequence of stockout: Minimal
├─ Can afford occasional shortage
└─ Want to minimize capital
Current problem:
├─ Global safety stock: 15 days (30 units)
├─ But this item sits for months
├─ Excess inventory ties up capital
├─ Result: Inefficient, wasted storage
Solution - Customization:
├─ Lead time: Keep global 15 days (standard supplier)
├─ Safety stock: 3 days (instead of 15)
├─ Running low threshold: 20 days (instead of 45)
├─ Overstocked threshold: 60 days (instead of 120)
Effect:
├─ Safety buffer: 3 days (6 units only)
├─ Running Low alert at 20 days: Timely but not urgent
├─ Cap inventory at 60 days (120 units max)
├─ Less capital tied up
└─ Result: Lean niche item, focus on best-sellers
Example 4: International Supplier Product
Product: Overseas Import (China Supplier)
Situation:
├─ Supplier: Based in China
├─ Lead time: 45 days (ocean shipping)
├─ Global lead time: 15 days (too short!)
├─ Consequence: Ordering too late, frequent stockouts
└─ Need to account for long shipping
Current problem:
├─ Running Low triggers at 45 days
├─ But lead time is 45 days
├─ So when you order, you have ZERO safety buffer
├─ Then any delay = immediate stockout
└─ Result: Frequent shortages
Solution - Customization:
├─ Lead time: 45 days (instead of 15)
├─ Safety stock: 20 days (instead of 15)
├─ Running low threshold: 75 days (instead of 45)
├─ Overstocked threshold: 150 days (instead of 120)
Effect:
├─ Running Low alert at 75 days: Time to order
├─ Order takes 45 days to arrive
├─ You have 30 days of inventory left while waiting
├─ Plus 20 days safety stock when it arrives
└─ Result: No more surprises, predictable arrival
Example 5: Seasonal Product (Off-Season Customization)
Product: Winter Coat (Currently June - Off-Season)
Situation:
├─ Season: Off-season (summer)
├─ Inventory: 200 days of sales (very overstocked)
├─ Goal: Sell through inventory
├─ Problem: Normal thresholds don't help
Current problem:
├─ Global overstocked threshold: 120 days
├─ You have 200 days of sales
├─ Alerts: Constantly showing "Overstocked"
├─ Noise: Making other alerts invisible
└─ Result: Alert fatigue, can't see real issues
Solution - Seasonal Customization:
├─ Lead time: Keep global 15 days (no change)
├─ Safety stock: Keep global 15 days (no change)
├─ Running low threshold: 200 days (instead of 45)
├─ Overstocked threshold: 300 days (instead of 120)
Effect:
├─ No "Running Low" alert (expected for off-season)
├─ No "Overstocked" alert (300-day threshold very high)
├─ Clean view: Focus on active items
├─ During off-season: Let it sell naturally
Then in October (approaching season):
├─ Remove customization
├─ Go back to global settings
├─ Normal alerts resume
└─ Ready for season
Advanced: Per-Supplier Customization
When You Have Multiple Suppliers
Scenario:
Product: T-Shirt (available from multiple suppliers)
Supplier A (Nike):
├─ Lead time: 5 days
├─ Cost: $8
└─ Reliability: Excellent
Supplier B (Generic):
├─ Lead time: 15 days
├─ Cost: $5
└─ Reliability: Good
Supplier C (International):
├─ Lead time: 45 days
├─ Cost: $3
└─ Reliability: OK but slower
Different customization per supplier?
Typical approach:
Option 1: Customize for primary supplier
├─ Set customization: Based on Supplier A (Nike - 5 days)
├─ Use as: Main reorder source
├─ Backup: Generic if Nike unavailable
└─ Result: Optimized for primary
Option 2: Use global setting as compromise
├─ Set global: 15 days (middle ground)
├─ Customize each: As exception (not typical)
└─ Result: Balanced approach
Note: Currently customization is per-product
├─ Not per-supplier per-product
├─ If you switch suppliers, manually update
└─ Future: May support per-supplier rules
Bulk Customization (If Available)
Setting Custom Values for Multiple Products at Once
If your system supports bulk customization:
Scenario: 50 products from Supplier X all need lead time 20
Bulk approach (if available):
├─ Filter: Supplier = "Supplier X"
├─ Select: All 50 products
├─ Action: "Bulk Customize"
├─ Field: Lead time
├─ Value: 20
├─ Apply: To all 50 at once
└─ Result: Done in seconds
Manual approach (if bulk not available):
├─ One at a time: Customize each product
├─ Takes: More time but same result
└─ Alternative: Ask support for bulk tool
Best Practices
When to Customize
Good reasons:
✅ Different suppliers (different lead times)
✅ Critical vs. non-critical products
✅ Seasonal or volatile items
✅ Products with minimum order quantities
✅ Products with specific contracts
✅ Items with unusual demand patterns
Avoid over-customizing:
❌ Don't customize just because it's slightly different
❌ Don't customize for temporary issues (fix global setting instead)
❌ Don't customize for products you haven't studied
❌ Don't customize without testing
└─ Goal: Use global for majority, customize for exceptions
Documentation
Keep track of why you customized:
For each customization:
├─ Document: Which product
├─ Document: What you changed (and why)
│ ├─ Example: "Nike lead time: 5 days (fast local supplier)"
│ ├─ Example: "Best-seller safety stock: 30 days (critical item)"
│ └─ Example: "Winter coat off-season threshold: 300 days"
│
├─ Share: With team (so everyone knows)
├─ Review: Quarterly (still valid?)
└─ Update: When circumstances change
Benefits:
├─ Team alignment: Everyone knows why
├─ Troubleshooting: Why does this product behave differently?
├─ Auditing: Justification for decisions
├─ Migration: If changing to new product/supplier
└─ Learning: Build institutional knowledge
Troubleshooting Customization
"Custom settings aren't taking effect"
Possible causes:
├─ Toggle is still OFF (override not enabled)
├─ Changes not saved (hit save button?)
├─ Delay in propagation (wait 5-10 minutes)
├─ Cached data (refresh browser/clear cache)
└─ Wrong product (customized the wrong one?)
Solutions:
1. Check: Is override toggle ON?
2. Verify: Did you click Save?
3. Wait: 5-10 minutes for update
4. Refresh: Browser reload
5. Check: Are you looking at right product?
"Status shows wrong indicator"
Possible causes:
├─ Custom settings not yet applied to calculation
├─ Global setting still being used
├─ Customization didn't save properly
└─ Inventory levels changed since customization
Solutions:
1. Wait: 5-10 minutes (calculations update periodically)
2. Refresh: Page reload
3. Verify: Custom values showing in product detail
4. Check: Did you enable override toggle?
5. Check: Do custom values make sense?
"Custom setting is too restrictive"
Situation:
You customized lead time to 5 days
But supplier took 10 days
Now running low alerts fire too early
Solution:
1. Go to: Product detail
2. Find: Custom setting (lead time)
3. Update: Change 5 → 10
4. Save: Click save
5. Wait: 5-10 minutes for effect
6. Verify: Check status update
Comparison: Global vs. Product-Level
| Aspect | Global Setting | Product-Level Override |
|---|---|---|
| Applied to | ALL products | One specific product |
| How to set | Settings tab | Product detail page |
| Setup time | Once (affects all) | Per product (as needed) |
| Flexibility | Low (one size fits all) | High (customize each) |
| Maintenance | Easy (one place to update) | More effort (update each) |
| When to use | Standard products | Exceptions & special cases |
| Effect scope | System-wide | Just this product |
Example:
Global: Lead time 15 days (default for all)
├─ Nike products: Override to 5 days
├─ International: Override to 45 days
└─ Everything else: Use global 15 days
Summary
Product-level customization:
├─ Overrides global settings for one product
├─ Used for exceptions and special cases
├─ Set on product detail page
└─ Enables fine-tuned control
When to use:
├─ Different suppliers (different lead times)
├─ Critical vs. non-critical products
├─ Seasonal or volatile items
├─ Products with contracts/MOQs
└─ Anything that needs different behavior
How to set:
├─ Go to: Product detail page
├─ Click: Settings tab
├─ Toggle: "Override global settings" ON
├─ Enter: Custom values
├─ Save: Changes applied
└─ Verify: Takes effect in 5-10 minutes
Result:
├─ More accurate alerts for each product
├─ Better inventory control
├─ Personalized thresholds
└─ Balance between global and custom
Next Steps
- Identify candidates – Which products need customization?
- Understand global settings – Know the baseline (see 08_01)
- Customize strategically – Start with critical items
- Test & monitor – Verify custom settings are working
- Document – Record why you customized each product
- Review regularly – Quarterly audit of customizations
Related
- Global Insights Configuration — Global settings (baseline)
- Product Discontinuation — "Do Not Restock" status
- Inventory Table Features — See products in table
- Bulk Exclude Products — Hide products from tracking