Article options allow you to flexibly extend and configure your articles. They enable both the customization of articles through extras, side dishes, or sauces, as well as the definition of recipes for automatic inventory management.
Overview
Article options serve two essential functions in bessa Manager:
Options (Type: Option) are used to extend and customize articles directly at the point of sale. They are displayed to staff and on receipts. Typical use cases include doneness levels for steaks, pizza toppings, side dishes, sauce selections, flavor choices for beverages, or menu combinations.
Recipes (Type: Stock) enable automatic inventory posting in the background. They are not visible to staff or customers and serve exclusively for inventory management. Examples include the composition of a cappuccino from coffee beans and milk, or a shandy from beer and soda.
Options and recipes cannot be nested. An article that is assigned as an option cannot contain another option – however, it can have its own recipe for inventory posting.
Managing Article Options
Accessing the Overview
Navigate to Manager → Article Management → Article Options.
The overview page displays all existing article options in a table with the following elements:
-
Search field: Filter article options by name
-
Table: Lists all options with name and optional description
-
Actions: Edit (pencil icon) and Delete (trash icon) per row
Click directly on the name of an article option to edit it. You don't need to use the pencil icon first.
Creating a New Article Option
-
Click + New Article Option
-
The "Create Article Option" dialog opens with four tabs
-
Configure the option in the individual tabs
-
Click Save
The Save button remains disabled as long as required fields (such as the name) are not filled in.
Basic Data
In the "Basic Data" tab, you define the fundamental properties of the article option.
Type
Choose between two option types:
|
Type |
Usage |
Visibility |
|---|---|---|
|
Option (Default) |
Extras, side dishes, menu composition |
Visible to staff and on receipts |
|
Stock |
Recipes for inventory management |
Background inventory posting only |
Name
Assign a descriptive name for the article option, e.g., "Doneness", "Side Dishes", "Coffee Composition".
Description
Optionally, you can add an additional description that appears in the overview below the name.
Input
In the "Input" tab, you configure the selection behavior and pricing of the option.
Selection
Define how many articles can be selected from the option:
|
Setting |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Optional Selection |
Selection is not mandatory – the article can be booked without option selection |
|
Min |
Minimum number of articles to select (0 = optional) |
|
Max |
Maximum number of selectable articles |
Activate the checkboxes next to Min/Max to enable the respective input fields.
Examples of selection configurations:
-
Steak Doneness: Min 1, Max 1 – exactly one selection required
-
Pizza Toppings: Optional, Max 5 – up to five extras possible
Price
Determine how the prices of option articles are calculated:
|
Price Option |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Free |
All articles in this option are added free of charge, regardless of their configured price |
|
Normal Price(Default) |
Articles are added at their price stored in the article master data |
|
Custom Gross Price |
All articles receive the same gross price entered here. The net amount and tax value are automatically calculated based on the tax rate of each article |
Use "Custom Gross Price" for menus where all side dishes should cost the same, regardless of individual prices.
Article Selection
In the "Article Selection" tab, you define which articles are available as choices in the option.
Adding Articles
-
Enter the desired article name in the search field "Article (Add with ENTER)"
-
Select the article from the suggestion list
-
Press ENTER or click on the article
Selection options must first be created as standalone articles in the system before they can be added to an option.
Managing the Article List
The added articles appear in a table with the following columns:
|
Column |
Function |
|---|---|
|
Drag Handle (≡) |
Sort articles via drag & drop – the order determines the display at the POS |
|
Preselection |
Checkbox to enable preselection for this article |
|
Article |
Name of the article |
|
Three-Dot Menu (⋮) |
Actions: Edit (opens article details), Remove (remove from option) |
Configuring Preselection
Activate the "Preselection" checkbox for articles that should be preselected by default.
Preselection Behavior:
-
If the preselection meets the configured Min/Max criteria, no selection dialog appears when booking
-
The article is booked directly with the preselected options
-
The selection remains editable via the shopping cart
-
If the preselection does not meet the criteria, the selection dialog still appears
Use preselection for the most commonly chosen combination of an article to speed up the booking process.
Assignment
In the "Assignment" tab, you define which articles this option applies to.
Assigning Articles
-
Enter the article name in the search field "Article (Add with ENTER)"
-
Select the desired article
-
Press ENTER
The assigned articles appear in a list. You can remove articles via the three-dot menu (⋮).
Example:
The article option "Doneness" is assigned to the articles "Beef Steak", "Lamb Chop", and "Beef Tenderloin". When booking any of these articles, the doneness selection automatically appears.
Editing an Article Option
-
In the overview, click on the option name or the pencil icon
-
The "Edit Article Option" dialog opens
-
Make the desired changes in the tabs
-
Click Save
Deleting an Article Option
-
Click the trash icon in the row of the option to be deleted
-
A confirmation dialog appears with the option name
-
Click Delete to confirm or Cancel to abort
Deleting an article option cannot be undone. All assignments to articles will also be removed.
Practical Examples
Example 1: Side Dish Selection for Main Courses
Goal: Guests can choose a side dish with main courses that is already included in the price.
Configuration:
-
Type: Option
-
Name: Side Dishes
-
Selection: Min 1, Max 1
-
Price: Free
-
Article Selection: Fries, Rice, Potato Gratin, Vegetables, Salad
-
Preselection: Fries (most popular)
-
Assignment: Schnitzel, Steak, Cordon Bleu
Example 2: Pizza Extras
Goal: Guests can choose additional toppings for an extra charge.
Configuration:
-
Type: Option
-
Name: Extra Toppings
-
Selection: Optional Selection, Max 5
-
Price: Custom Gross Price: €1.50
-
Article Selection: Ham, Salami, Mushrooms, Olives, Pepperoni, Mozzarella
-
Assignment: Pizza Margherita, Pizza Funghi, Pizza Prosciutto
Example 3: Lunch Menu
Goal: Guests choose from starter, main course, and dessert.
Configuration:
-
Type: Option
-
Name: Menu Starter
-
Selection: Min 1, Max 1
-
Price: Free
-
Article Selection: Soup, Salad, Carpaccio
-
Assignment: Lunch Menu
(Similar for main course and dessert)
Example 4: Cappuccino Recipe
Goal: Automatic inventory posting of ingredients when selling a cappuccino.
Configuration:
-
Type: Stock
-
Name: Cappuccino Recipe
-
Article Selection: Coffee Beans (8g), Milk (120ml)
-
Assignment: Cappuccino
Stock options are not visible to staff. Posting occurs automatically in the background.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I nest options?
No, options cannot be nested. An article used as an option article cannot contain an option itself. However, it can have a recipe (Stock option) for automatic inventory posting.
Why does the selection dialog appear despite preselection?
The selection dialog appears when the number of preselected articles does not meet the Min/Max criteria. Check whether enough articles are preselected.
How do I change the order of option articles?
Use the drag handle (≡) in the article selection to sort articles via drag & drop. The order corresponds to the display at the POS.
Are recipes shown on the receipt?
No, recipes (Type: Stock) serve exclusively for internal inventory posting and are neither displayed to staff nor printed on receipts or invoices.
Can I use the same article in multiple options?
Yes, an article can be stored as a selection option in multiple article options.
Related Topics
-
Articles – Creating and managing articles
-
Article Types – Types of articles
-
Inventory Management for Articles - Inventory configuration for articles
-
Inventory Management – Stock levels and inventory management
Troubleshooting Tips
Article option is not displayed
-
Check whether the option is assigned to at least one article (Tab "Assignment")
-
Ensure at least one article is stored in the article selection
-
For Type "Stock": Recipes are intentionally not displayed at the POS
Save button is disabled
-
Fill in the required "Name" field in the "Basic Data" tab
-
Check that all required fields are correctly filled
Incorrect price calculation for option articles
-
Review the price setting in the "Input" tab
-
For "Custom Gross Price": This price applies to all articles in the option
-
For "Normal Price": Individual article prices are used