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Introduction

This section provides a quick guide to the structure of Webround Commerce entities, illustrating their function and the logic behind their existence. The goal is not to delve into the technical details of APIs or specific data types, but to provide a descriptive overview of their role and how they are strategically positioned within the business flow. Understanding these entities allows for a clear vision of how the entire operational cycle is managed, from catalog to sale.

The Heart of the Catalog

In Webround Commerce, catalog management follows a precise hierarchy that reflects sales and warehouse logic. The structure is based on two levels: Product and Variant.

The hierarchy follows this flow: Product (Template) → Variant (Purchase unit)

Product: The General Template​

The Product acts as a general template. It identifies the merchandise in a generalized way (e.g., "Icon T-shirt") and defines common characteristics. It is at this level (along with the variant) that weight and dimensions for shipping are managed.

Options (e.g., "Size") are defined on the Product. These options specify the purchase choices available for that product. By defining a "Size" option with values "S, M, L, XL", we establish the axes along which a Variant can be placed. It is possible to link multiple options in parallel to reconstruct complex choice matrices.

Variant: The Purchase Unit​

The Variant is the complete, self-contained purchase unit in Webround Commerce. It combines what was previously split across two layers (Variant + SKU) into a single entity, without losing any expressive power.

Every Variant carries:

  • Identity: name, slug, commercial codes (SKU string, EAN, MPN, UPC, GTIN, ISBN, ASIN, supplier code, HS code).
  • Inventory: stock quantity, backorder rules, max order quantity.
  • Pricing: one or more Price objects covering currencies, cadences, compare prices, and quantity-based tier pricing.
  • Options: a map of selected option values (e.g., {"SIZE_OPTION_ID": "XL_VALUE_ID"}), which defines where this variant sits in the product's option matrix.
  • Assets, Attributes, Tags, Shipping, Tax: all directly owned or inherited from the parent Product.

Think of a shop window display: what you see on display — the model in a specific color and size — is the Variant. There is no intermediate layer between what you see and what you can add to the cart.

In Summary: The T-shirt Example​

  1. Product: The "T-shirt" template where we define the "Size" option (S, M, L, XL) and the "Color" option (White, Black, Green).
  2. Variant: For each specific combination ready for purchase — e.g., "White T-shirt – XL" — we create one Variant. It owns the price, the stock level, the EAN, and the option values map that identifies it within the matrix.

This structure simplifies both the data model and the API surface: there is exactly one entity to create, price, and stock. No intermediate grouping layer is required.

Limitless Flexibility​

The strength of this architecture lies in its adaptability. Webround Commerce catalogs virtually extend to any type of business: whether you run a clothing store, a perfumery, a wine shop, a restaurant, a dealership, or offer online consulting services, the Product → Variant structure is able to mold itself to your needs.

For products with no meaningful options (e.g., a single-configuration item), a single Variant is all that is needed. For complex matrices (color × size × weight), each combination maps to a distinct Variant — each independently priced and stocked.

Thanks to this highly specializable and flexible hierarchy, Webround Commerce does not impose a rigid model, but provides the tools to precisely map every operational flow, ensuring that every single entity exactly reflects the reality of your physical or digital catalog.

Extensibility

Thanks to APIs, Webhooks, and other entities present in the management system, it is simple to adapt Webround Commerce for the generalized management of customers, products for sale, and warehouse management, even if you do not create a website or conduct online sales through it.

You can extend this tool as you wish, creating integrations of any kind. Save on the management overhead of your business thanks to Webround Commerce.