What are Hierarchies and Nodes?
In Product Experience Manager, hierarchies define the structure by which products are organized and displayed within catalogs.
- A hierarchy is a tree-like structure that is made up of nodes.
- Nodes are the single unit within a hierarchy that can contain products or other nodes that represent different levels within the hierarchy.
A node may represent something like a product category, collection, geographical region, or customer segment depending on the needs of your business. Products are associated with one or more nodes, within hierarchies. The nodes and hierachies that products are associated with determine where it appears in a catalog and storefront.
How Hierarchies and Nodes Work
A hierarchy starts with a root node, representing the top level, and includes one or more parent nodes or child nodes. Each node can have one or more children, and products are associated with these nodes. The hierarchy allows businesses to define how products are organized, whether it’s by type, region, or another factor.
| Use Case 1: Window and Door Manufacturer | A door and window manufacturer may have a hierarchy based on product type (e.g., doors, windows) and another hierarchy based on features (e.g., glass type, frame material). Each hierarchy uses nodes to represent specific product features. For example, one node may represent "Tempered Glass" under the glass features hierarchy, while another node represents "Oak Frame" under the material hierarchy. |
| Use Case 2: Global Video Game Retailer | A global video game retailer might have separate hierarchies for different geographical regions (e.g., North America, Europe) and platforms (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox). The North America hierarchy might include nodes for regional product releases, while the platform hierarchy groups products by gaming console, making it easy to organize game libraries for each region and console. |