Expand vs Never Expand BOM

If you're using an integration to import orders (ShipStation, Amazon, eBay, WooCommerce, etc), and you're using Finale's ability to use a Bill of Materials for product kits or builds, you have two options.  Finale can either Expand or Never Expand a BOM.  Here is the primary difference.

Expand Bill of Materials

1. Kit/Bundle is listed on your website as a single item with it's own unique SKU that customers can purchase
2. The order flows into Finale with the SKU for the kit
3. Finale replaces the kit SKU on the order with the items in the bill of material, EXPANDING the order into the BOM components.
4. Inventory for each individual item in the BOM is deducted, NOT the kit itself.

When the order enters Finale, Finale automatically replaces the luggage bundle with the items that are in the BOM.  In Finale, you will no longer see the luggage bundle, you will only see the rolling luggage and the carry on tote.  In ShipStation and in your website, however, it will NOT be updated and you will still have the luggage bundle on those orders.  

Finale will subtract inventory from each type of luggage separately, and will NOT adjust the inventory for the luggage bundle.

Never Expand Bill of Materials

If your setting is configured to never expand BOM, Finale will treat a kit/build item no differently than any other item.  It will not change anything on an order and will subtract the inventory from the build/kit item directly.  You will need to use the BUILD function to add inventory to this item.

1. Kit/Bundle is listed on your website as a single item with it's own unique SKU that customers can purchase
2. The order flows into Finale with the SKU for the kit
3. Finale makes no changes to the order at all.  The kit SKU remains on the sales order.
4. Inventory for the kit is deducted from Finale.  The components of the BOM are unchanged.

*NOTE: This workflow requires the use of BUILDS to assemble the kit/bundle.  This process creates a physical quantity of the kit by deducting the corresponding number of units from the components.  

One thing to know about the expand function though is it's either one or the other.  Finale does not have the capability to "not expand" while there's quantity then automatically switch to expand the BOM when the inventory has been depleted.  

If you create orders within Finale, you do not have the option to expand a BOM.  Finale will NEVER EXPAND a BOM for any order created within Finale.