How do you create list groups based on VMP article groups in Easyflor?

What is a VMP and why is this needed?

A VMP (Virtual Market Place) is a virtual stock from a supplier that you can resell. Sometimes you want to subdivide this large VMP into smaller groups (buttons on the webshop) such as "Gerberas", "Plants", "Ornamental grass", etc. The problem is that if a supplier also uses a VMP from another supplier, the underlying information is not sent along. The solution: you create your own list groups based on article groups.

Why use VMP article group matching?

• Organize webshop: You can create different buttons on the webshop
• Overview: Customers don't see one large list but handy categories
• Automatic sorting: Products automatically end up in the right group
• Flexible: You decide which article groups belong together
• Works with VMPs: Even if the supplier uses a VMP from someone else
• Professional webshop: Customers find what they're looking for faster

What do you need to get started?

An Excel list from your supplier

Ask your supplier for an Excel file with:

• ID of the article group (e.g., ArticleGroups/354)
• Name of the article group (e.g., Gerbera/Germini)

Important: You need this list before you can start!

The process in 3 steps

STEP 1: Create article groups in Easyflor
    ↓
STEP 2: Link VMP article groups to your article groups
    ↓
STEP 3: Create list group for the webshop

Step 1: Creating article groups

1. Click on the "Articles" tile → "Article groups"
2. Click "+New", give the article group a name (e.g., "Gerbera/Germini")
3. There is an extensive guide for creating article groups: Creating article groups
4. Repeat for all groups from the Excel list

Step 2: Linking VMP article groups

1. Click on the "Admin" tile → "VMP Article group matching"
2. Click "+New", give the list a name (e.g., "FloraHolland matches")
3. Select the list → click "Match"
4. For each row in your Excel: click "+New", enter the ID (e.g., ArticleGroups/354), select the article group (e.g., Gerbera/Germini), click "Save"

Tip: Copy IDs from Excel (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) — don't retype them!

Step 3: Creating list group for the webshop

A list group is a button on the webshop that customers can click.

1. Click on the "Sales" tile → "List groups"
2. Click "+New", choose a name (this becomes the button name on the webshop!)
3. Click "Save" → "Lists" → "+New"
4. Choose the VMP that contains the article groups
5. Select the article groups you want to show in this list group (or leave empty to show all)
6. Click "Apply"
7. Repeat for each button you want on the webshop

Would you also like to give customers access to the webshop? See the guide: Creating a shop user

Important tips

1. Request the list from your supplier — you need the Excel with IDs before starting
2. Check if article groups already exist — don't create unnecessary duplicates
3. Use clear names — "Gerberas", "Plants" instead of "Group 1", "VMP list A"
4. Test on the webshop — check if the buttons work and show the correct products
5. Copy IDs exactly — one wrong character and it won't work
6. Save the Excel list — you may need it later
7. Work systematically — first all article groups, then all links, then all list groups

Common mistakes

1. No Excel list requested → always request the list first
2. ID typed incorrectly → copy and paste from Excel
3. Article group not created → create all article groups first
4. Wrong VMP chosen → check which VMP you should use
5. No article groups selected → select the correct article groups in the list group
6. Duplicate article groups → check first if a group already exists

Summary

To create list groups based on VMP article groups, request an Excel list from your supplier with article group IDs and names. In Step 1, create article groups in Easyflor. In Step 2, link VMP article groups to your article groups via Admin → VMP Article group matching. In Step 3, create list groups (webshop buttons) via Sales → List groups, selecting the VMP and relevant article groups. Always test on the webshop.