What is the constant function?

Introduction

This article explains the Constant function in Product Management, which provides a simple way to define fixed pricing for Offers. The Constant function always returns the same Price regardless of Quantity selected, making it ideal for One-Time Subscriptions or Offers with flat-rate pricing.

In this article:

• Understanding the Constant function
• Setting up the Constant function
• Configuring constant pricing
• Testing constant pricing

Understanding the Constant function

The Constant function is used to define very simple pricing that always returns a fixed Price. Unlike variable pricing formulas that change based on Quantity or usage, the Constant function maintains the same Price regardless of how many units a Customer selects.

Use cases

• Flat-rate One-Time Subscriptions
• Fixed-Price Offers that don't vary by Quantity
• Products with standardized pricing
• Setup fees or activation charges

Setting up the Constant function

Step 1: Create a quantity control in the Design section

1. Navigate to the Design tab in Product Management.
2. From the control list, select "Number" to add a NumberBox control.
3. Configure the control properties in the Properties panel:
4. 

a. Label: Add the desired name for the control (for example, "Number" or "CPU1").

b. Default value: Specify the default Quantity that will appear when Customers view the Offer.

Min value: Set the minimum value Customers can select (for example, 0).

Max value: Set the maximum value Customers can select. Customers cannot choose a number higher than this maximum.

Configuring constant pricing

Step 2: Configure pricing in the Price section

1. Navigate to the Price tab in Product Management.
2. Configure the General settings:
   • Select the Currency (for example, Euro)
   • Select the Billing Period (for example, Monthly)
3. In the Pricing rules section, configure the following:

Variable name: Enter a name for this pricing variable (for example, "Price").

Formula: Select "Constant" from the dropdown menu.

c. Price fields:

Cost Price: Enter the Vendor Price (for example, 100). This is the wholesale cost.

Suggested Retail Price: Enter the recommended retail Price (for example, 110). This is the Price suggested for Customers.

4. You can add multiple pricing rules by selecting "ADD NEW PRICING VARIABLE" if your Offer requires additional Price components.
5. The Platform allows you to change the order of pricing rules within the Price tab if needed.

Testing constant pricing

Step 3: Preview constant pricing

1. Select the "Preview" button to open the preview interface.
2. The preview section opens in a new window or panel.
3. In the preview, enter different Quantity values in the control field (for example, 10).

What to verify

The Cost Price and Suggested Retail Price remain constant regardless of the selected amount (up to the maximum value).

Example

• Quantity = 1: Price (Monthly) = 100 EUR, Total (Monthly) = 110 EUR
• Quantity = 10: Price (Monthly) = 100 EUR, Total (Monthly) = 110 EUR
• Quantity = 50: Price (Monthly) = 100 EUR, Total (Monthly) = 110 EUR

The pricing stays fixed at the configured values, demonstrating that the Constant function does not multiply Price by Quantity.

Summary

The Constant function provides a straightforward way to define fixed pricing in Product Management. Product Managers configure a NumberBox control with minimum and maximum values in the Design section, then set up constant pricing in the Price section by entering Cost Price and Suggested Retail Price values. The Constant function always returns the same Price regardless of Quantity selected, making it ideal for flat-rate Offers, One-Time Subscriptions, or any Product requiring standardized pricing. The preview feature allows Product Managers to verify that pricing remains constant across different Quantity values before publishing the Offer.