Block Item Variants in Business Central (v23)

Sep 26

Precision and/or accuracy is key. When we discuss Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, this becomes even more pertinent, especially when we discuss managing Item Variants. For businesses that deal with diverse product lines, item variants play an essential role in distinguishing between different versions of a product. But what happens when certain variants need to be restricted or taken off the shelf? I have been asked this question several times and usually it comes to two solutions:

Process change and communication
Custom Development

In most cases, several clients ends up creating different main item number to manage item variants which can cause disconnected. With the ability to block item variants in Business Central this can be a powerful feature, ensuring businesses can regulate their offerings swiftly and efficiently while maintaining consistent data.

In this quick blog, we'll dive into this specific feature, unpacking its significance, its application, and the myriad ways it can streamline operations and reinforce inventory accuracy. Whether you're a seasoned Business Central user or just starting your journey, understanding the nuances of blocking item variants could be a game-changer for your business. Let's dive in!

Imagine, you have an item that you purchase from a vendor and they informed you that they now have a new version of the same product. It is now a slightly faster product, better quality, etc. The one thing you want to make sure that you may want to start purchasing the new version and selling through the older version. You can now utilize the Block Item Variant feature in Business Central by applying if the item variant is:

Blocked
Sales Blocked
Purchase Blocked

Business Central (v23) - Block Item Variant

So base on my set up above, if I were to create a Purchase Order, it will no longer show up on my drop down from a Purchase Order as you can see from the illustration below.

Let’s take a look into the Sales Order procedure. As you can see, it is only showing up the item variant where we will allowed so that we can chew up the remaining quantity.