Classification Classes

General Information

The workspace area for the management of Classification Classes can be accessed via menu Classification Class. Information on the graphical user interface and basic functionalities can be found on page Graphical User Interface and Basic Functions.

The workspace area for the management of Classification Classes offers users different functionalities described in brief in the following table as well as in more detail in the next chapters.

Toolbar in Tabular View

Details Page

In order to view more details related to a Classification Class, users may open the Classification Class in view mode by clicking on it from the tabular view. Note: opening a Classification Class in view mode is also possible from the tree view of Classification Classes.

The details page of a Classification Class is subdivided into different tabs. The visibility and order of the displayed tabs is configurable by users with configuration rights.

Furthermore, custom tabs can be created. The custom tabs allow customers to organize the standard and extended attributes as required by their business use cases.  

Tabs which do not contain any information are grayed out.

The following table gives an overview of the tabs available for a Classification Class.

Create 

This functionality allows users to create new Classification Classes. 

The first step when creating a Classification Class is the selection of its placement in the hierarchy. The new classification class can be placed at the first level of the hierarchy (in this case the root folder of classification classes) or at a lower level. The user can select the parent Classification Class either from the list in tabular view or in the tree view. Once the parent Classification Class is selected, the creation can be continued by pressing the "Create" button

After the placement of the Classification Class was defined, the user may continue with filling in the attributes of the new Classification Class in the Create graphical user interface displayed in the next step. Mandatory attributes are marked with an asterisk. Non-editable attributes are displayed as read-only. Translatable fields are marked with a county flag.

When the work is finished, the user may save the new Classification Class as Change Request (using button Save) or directly as Structure element (using button Save and Release).

Change Requests usually undergo an approval process before they are released and become effective. 

Change Text

This functionality allows users to edit the textual attributes of a Classification Class. Mandatory attributes are marked with an asterisk. Non-editable attributes are displayed as read-only. Translatable attributes are marked with a county flag.

When the work is finished, the user may save the changed Classification Class as Change Request (using button Save) or directly as structure element (using button Save and Release). 

Change Requests usually undergo an approval process before they are released and become effective. 

Export 

Users may export all or a selection of Classification Classes in one of the available export formats.

The following export formats are available from the tabular/tree view of Classification Classes: DIN 4002, Classification XLSX.

After defining the export options in the graphical user interface, the user may press the export button and the export will be started in the background. The exported file will be sent per e-mail to the specified e-mail address. 

Export Options DIN4002 Export Format

Export Options Classification XLSX Export Format

Request item

This functionality allows users the creation of a new item request classified in the selected classification class. 

The first step when creating a new item request via the Classification Manager is to select the classification into which the item is to be placed. The user can select the classification class either from the list in the tabular view or in the tree view.  Once the class is selected, the user can start the item request by pressing the "Request item" button

For more details on item request, see chapter "Request new item" in Item Manager documentation.

Manage mappings

This functionality allows users to maintain mapping between classification classes from different Dictionary Releases.

When a user clicks the Manage Mappings button in the Classification Classes menu, the system redirects to the Manage Mappings graphical user interface, where the already created Mappings are displayed in the tabular view.

The user can select the following actions from the toolbar:

Create Mapping type

This functionality allows the user to create a new Mapping type (a mapping plan to containing Classification Class mappings) for Classification Classes.

The user can create a new plan by pressing the Create button on the toolbar of the Manage Mappings graphical user interface. Then he must fill in the following fields: 

The classification mapping plan can be saved by pressing the "Save" button in the toolbar. After saving the filter, it immediately appears in the list of available mapping types.

Edit Mapping type

This functionality allows the user to edit a Mapping type (a mapping plan to containing Classification Class mappings) of Classification Classes.

The user can edit the following fields:

Source and Target Release cannot be edited.

The changes of classification mapping type can be saved by pressing the "Save" button in the toolbar. After saving the filter, it immediately appears in the list of available mapping types.

Migrate Mapping type

This functionality allows the user to migrate a Mapping type (a mapping plan to containing Classification Class mappings) to the newest version of the Dictionary Release. 

When a new release is created, the user can organize a migration of mappings for classification classes using this function. By this the entire mappings will be updated to newest content.

Manage mappings

After selecting a mapping type and clicking the select button in the toolbar, the user can manage the mappings within the plan.

The mappings can be created using Quick Create (this mode is automatically opened on select mapping type), Create or Import.

Quick Create

Quick create is automatically opened after selecting a mapping type. The graphical user interface consists of the toolbar and view with source and target tree. The displayed source and target tree are displayed according to the releases specified by the mapping type.

Toolbar (Quick Create):

The list of available mappings within the mapping type and the toolbar with the actions for the mappings already created are displayed under the source and target tree. 

Toolbar (list of available mappings):

Create

Another way to create a mapping between classes from source and target release is to use the Create graphical user interface. This interface opens after clicking the Create button in the toolbar. Here the user can select the source and target class in the popup window that appears after clicking the "Select" link in the "Source class" and "Target class" fields.

In the popup window the class can be found either by the preferred name, the coded name or the keyword. The search option must be selected in the toolbar to activate it. When the user has found the desired class, the selection can be confirmed with the OK button.

The user also has the option to open the tree by clicking on the Tree View button where the desired class can be selected or to display all classes in the tabular view by clicking on the List View button and select the class there.

Once the source and target classes are selected, the mapping can be saved using the Save button in the toolbar.

Import

The user also has the possibility to import classification mapping. The import graphical user interface opens after clicking the import button in the toolbar. 

Import options:

Export

The user has the possibility to export the classification mapping of the currently opened mapping type. The graphical user interface for export opens after clicking the Export button in the toolbar. 

Export options:

Manage filters

This functionality allows users to configure a Classification Filter associated with a release and composed of a set of classes that are enumerated. Classification Filters are used in combination with Business Item Type (BIT) to configure subsets of the classification-hierarchy for given item types, e.g. for spare parts or services.

When a user clicks the Manage Filters button in the Classification Classes menu, the system redirects to the Manage Filters graphical user interface, where the already created filters are displayed in the tabular view. 

The user can select the following actions from the toolbar:

Create Classification Filter

This functionality allows the user to create a new Classification Filter. 

As a first step in the Create Classification Filter graphical user interface the user selects Dictionary and Release of the filter on the General tab and specifies the name.

After switching to the Hierarchy tab, the user selects the classes to be part of the Classification Filter. When a class is selected, all its sub-classes and parent-classes (and their parent-classes) are also selected.

As an example, if the user selects the class 33-06-03, all the following classes are selected:

• 33-06-03-xx (in particular case there is only one class 33-06-03-90) will be automatically selected.

• 33-06-03 itself

• 33-06 (but not also all the sub-classes)

• 33 (but not also all sub-classes)

Deselection works similarly: when a class is deselected, all sub-classes are deselected. However, the parent classes are not automatically deselected, but must be deselected manually. The deselection is only propagated down and not also up.

The classes on the Hierarchy tab are highlighted according to the selection:

• Fully selected Classification Classes (when the class itself has been checked and its sub-classes) - highlighted in blue color

• Partly selected Classification Classes (when the class was selected as a parent-class of the selected class) - highlighted in green color

• Not selected Classification Classes - remain gray

In the List tab, the system offers a list of Classification Classes related to the Release selected in the General tab. The user may select freely there which Classification Class will belong to the filter. If the selected class is a parent class, all sub-classes will also be selected (as in the Hierarchy tab). The same business rules for selection and deselection apply.

The classification filter can be saved by pressing the "Save" button in the toolbar. After saving the filter, it immediately appears in the list of available Classification Filters.

Edit Classification Filter

This functionality allows the user to create a new Classification Filter.

On the General tab, the user can change the Dictionary and the Release of the filter, as well as its Name. On the Hierarchy tab the user can select additional classes or deselect the already selected classes.

Selecting and deselecting in the Hierarchy tab works the same way as when creating a new filter: 

When a class is selected, all its sub-classes and parent-classes (and their parent-classes) are also selected.

As an example, if the user selects the class 33-06-03, all the following classes are selected:

• 33-06-03-xx (in particular case there is only one class 33-06-03-90) will be automatically selected.

• 33-06-03 itself

• 33-06 (but not also all the sub-classes)

• 33 (but not also all sub-classes)

Deselection works similarly: when a class is deselected, all sub-classes are deselected. However, the parent classes are not automatically deselected, but must be deselected manually. The deselection is only propagated down and not also up.

In the List tab, the system offers a list of Classification Classes related to the Release selected in the General tab. The user may select or deselect freely there which Classification Class will belong to the filter. If the selected class is a parent class, all sub-classes will also be selected (as in the Hierarchy tab). The same business rules for selection and deselection apply.

In case the user changes the Dictionary and/or Release, the selection of Classification Classes belonging to the classification filter is removed and must be done again for the currently selected Dictionary and Release.

The changes of the Classification Filter can be saved by pressing the "Save" button in the toolbar. 

Import Classification Filter

This functionality allows the user to import a Classification Filter.

In the Import Classification Filter graphical user interface, the user must select a Release for which the filter should be imported and upload an Import File. (See Classification filter import File Format Specification to see how to build the import file).

After pressing the "Import" button, the import will start in the background and the user will be notified by e-mail.

Import options:

Migrate Classification Filter

This function allows the user to migrate a Classification Filter to another release. 

The user can trigger this function by selecting a Classification Filter to be migrated in the list and pressing the Migrate button in the toolbar. This will redirect the user into the Migrate Classification Filter graphical user interface where he selects Source and Target release and presses the Migrate button in the toolbar. 

After pressing the "Migrate" button, the migration will start in the background and the user will be notified by e-mail.

Note: this function only works if a mapping between selected releases is available.

Delete 

This functionality allows users to delete existing Classification Classes.

Note: on deletion, the Classification Class will be marked as deprecated, meaning that it is withdrawn from further usage. Deprecated elements are displayed grayed out in the system and they cannot be worked on or used anymore. 

On pressing the Delete button, the system displays the details page of the Classification Class selected for deletion. User may check the attributes/relations of the Classification Class before proceeding with the deletion. 

The user may confirm the deletion by pressing button Save or Save and Release. 

On Save, a Change Request for the deletion of the Classification Class will be created. Change Requests usually undergo an approval process before they are released and become effective. 

On Save and Release, the Change Request for the deletion of the Classification Class will be automatically executed (released). As a result, the Classification Class is immediately withdrawn from further usage and is displayed as inactive within a given release (grayed out). 

Reactivate

This functionality allows users to reactivate deprecated Classification Classes (i.e. to make them available for usage within a certain release).

In order to reactivate a deprecated Classification Class, the user needs to select a deprecated Classification Class in the tabular view or tree view and press button Reactivate in the toolbar.

The system displays the Reactivate graphical user interface, which consists of the detailed view of the selected Classification Class. Therefore, user can first check the detailed information of the Classification Class before confirming the reactivation by pressing button Save or Save and Release. 

On Save, a Change Request for the reactivation of the Classification Class will be created. Change Requests usually undergo an approval process before they are released and become effective. 

On Save and Release, the Change Request for the reactivation of the selected Classification Class will be automatically executed (released). As a result, the Classification Class is immediately activated and can be used.

Adapt

This functionality allows users to adapt Classification Classes from one Release (e.g. ECLASS) to a custom Dictionary.

The first step when adapting a Classification Class is the selection of the Classification Class in the current Release to be adapted. This can be done either in the tabular view or in the tree view. Once the Classification Class is selected, the user can proceed by pressing the Adapt button.

In the next step, the user has to maintain the following information:

Tab General

Tab Adapted classes

In the tab Adapted classes, the selected Classification Classes are displayed in the tabular view. The user can review, add or remove the Classification Classes to be adapted or edit some textual information that will be displayed in the Classification Class adapted in the target dictionary.

Possible Actions:

Icon	Description
	Allows users to set all parent classes to an already adapted class
	Allows users to include all parent classes up to an already adapted class
	Allows users to select parent class
	Allows users to edit some textual information that will be displayed in the Classification Class adapted in the target dictionary
	Allows users to remove the Classification Class from the Adapt process

TAB EA mappings

In the EA Mappings tab, the user can specify the mappings between Extended Attributes in the source and target releases.

Once all the required fields are maintained, the user can use the Validate button to check whether all the required classes have been included in the adapt process. The system will inform the user if some required data is missing. 

The user may confirm the adapt process by pressing button Save or Save and Release. 

On Save, a Change Request for the adaption of the Classification Class(es) will be created. Change Requests usually undergo an approval process before they are released and become effective. 

On Save and Release, the Change Request for the adaptation of the Classification Class(es) will be automatically executed (released). As a result, the Adapt process is started immediately in the background, and the user is notified by email when the process is complete.

Split

This functionality allows Users to split one existing Classification Class into minimum two other Classification Classes.

Thus there is only one source Classification Class which exists as Structure Element and only on the 4th level and minimum two other target Classification Classes, also on the 4th level (Change Requests or Structure Elements) in which it will be „split“. The source Classification Class to be split will be automatically deleted via a Delete Classification Class Change Request which will be created automatically, since the content will represented in at least two other Classification Classes. 

Many SPLIT operations can result into identical target Classification Classes.

All Properties of the Application Class of the source Classification Class will be inserted via assignment Change Requests to the Application Class of the target Classification Class, but without creating duplications.

Properties of the Aspects of the source Classification Class will NOT be assigned to the Aspects of the target class.

All Keywords of the source Classification Class will be assigned to the target Classification Class, exactly like the Properties, without creating duplications.

The starting point of this functionality is either the list or tree view of Classification Classes. Here the User needs to select the source, 4th level Classification Class and press Split button in toolbar. System displays the list of potential target Classification Classes in which the User will select the target classes. 

For Split Classification Class, the graphical user interface consists of the details page of the source class and the list of target classes into which the split operation will take place. Each of the target classes contains separate Tabs for their Properties, Blocks, Aspects and Keywords to be copied. System preselects the elements in these lists, but offers also the possibility for the User to deselect/select any of the displayed entries. 

The user may confirm the split by pressing button Save or Save and Release. 

On Save, a Change Request for Split Classification Class will be created for each of the target Classes. Each of these Change Requests contain a Tab named "Change requests composing the operation" which includes all Change Requests created automatically by the system in connection with the split: Remove Source Classification Class, Remove source Application Class, Assign the source Properties and Keywords (if it is the case) to the new target.

Change Requests usually undergo an approval process before they are released and become effective. 

On Save and Release, the Change Request for Split Classification Class will be automatically executed (released). As a result, the split classes are immediately available.

Join

This functionality allows Users to merge several Classification Classes into one Class.

The target and source(s) of a Join Classification Class operation may only be Classification Classes on the 4th level. There is only one target Classification Class, either as Structure Element or Change Request, and only on the 4th level, in which minimum one Classification Class will be „joined“. The source Classification Classes which will be joined will automatically be deleted via a Delete Classification Class Change Request which will be created automatically, since the content will represented in the target Classification Class. 

All Properties of source Application Classes will be utilized in the target Application Class, without creating duplications.

A JOIN Classification Class operation may be combined with a New Classification Class Change request, in case available classes are joined into a new class.

All properties of the Aspects of the source Classification Class will NOT be inserted to Aspects of the target class.

All Keywords of the source Classification Classes are attached to the target Classification Class, exactly like in the case of Properties, without creating duplications.

The starting point of this functionality is the list of Classification Classes. Here the User needs to select the source, a 4th level Classification Class and press Join button in toolbar. System displays the list of potential target Classification Classes in which the User will select the target class. 

For Join Classification Class, the graphical user interface consists of the details page of the target class and the source class which will be joined. The source class contains separate Tabs for its Properties, Blocks, Aspects and Keywords to be copied. System preselects the elements in these lists, but offers also the possibility for the User to deselect/select any of the displayed entries. 

The user may confirm the join by pressing button Save or Save and Release. 

On Save, a Change Request for Join Classification Class will be created. It will contain a Tab named "Change requests composing the operation" which includes all Change Requests created automatically by the system in connection with the join: Remove Source Classification Class, Remove source Application Class, Assign the source Properties and Keywords (if it is the case) to the new target.

Change Requests usually undergo an approval process before they are released and become effective. 

On Save and Release, the Change Request for Join Classification Class will be automatically executed (released). As a result, the joined classes are immediately available.

Move

This functionality allows users to move Classification Classes within the classification hierarchy.

Move Classification Class can be done only on 4th level. All subordinate elements, including Application Classes, Aspects, Properties, Value Lists and Values remain identical with regard to name and content. Identifier of the Classification Class remains unchanged, only the Coded Name will be changed.

The target parent of the Classification Class must already exist in the system, either as Structure Element or as Change Request. The target itself must not exist, since it is identical with the source Classification Class.

The starting point of this functionality is either the list or tree view of Classification Classes. Here the User needs to select the 4th level Classification Class to be moved and then press Move button in toolbar. System displays the hierarchical view in which the User will select the target class 3rd level class, which will represent the new parent. 

For Move Classification Class, the graphical user interface consists of the details page of the class to be moved and the new parent class, with possibility to select a different one.

The user may confirm the move by pressing button Save or Save and Release. 

On Save, a Change Request for Move Classification Class will be created. Change Requests usually undergo an approval process before they are released and become effective. 

On Save and Release, the Change Request for Move Classification Class will be automatically executed (released). As a result, the moved class is immediately available under the new location.

Assign

The connection between Classification Classes and Application Classes and Keywords is called assignment. 

If the connection of an Application Class or Keyword to a Classification Class is needed, the assignment can be done using the Assign functionality.

The Assign functionality (Button Assign) groups together the options to assign Application Class or Keyword to a Classification Class

Assign Application class

This functionality allows users to assign one or more Application class to a selected Classification Class. 

The starting point of this functionality can be the tabular view or the tree view of Classification Classes, where the user can select the Classification Class. In the next step, the user can select the Application class(es) to be assigned from the list of available Application classes. System offers a harmonized Advanced Search function.

For the assignment of Application classes, the graphical user interface consists of the details page of the Classification Class and the detail page of the Application class to be assigned (in case one single Application Class was selected from the list) or the list of Application classes to be assigned (in case multiple Application classes were selected from the list).

The user may confirm the assignment(s) by pressing button Save or Save and Release. 

On Save, a Change Request for the assignment of the Application classes will be created. Change Requests usually undergo an approval process before they are released and become effective. 

On Save and Release, the Change Request for the assignment of the Application classes will be automatically executed (released). As a result, the connection of the Application Classes to the Classification Class is immediately available.

Assign Keywords

This functionality allows users to assign one or more Keywords to a selected Classification Class. 

The starting point of this functionality can be the tabular view or the tree view of Classification Classes, where the user can select the Classification Class. In the next step, the user can select the Keyword(s) to be assigned from the list of available Keywords. System offers a harmonized Advanced Search function.

For the assignment of Keywords, the graphical user interface consists of the details page of the Classification Class and the detail page of the Keyword to be assigned (in case one single Keyword was selected from the list) or the list of Keywords to be assigned (in case multiple Keywords were selected from the list).

The user may confirm the assignment(s) by pressing button Save or Save and Release. 

On Save, a Change Request for the assignment of the Keywords will be created. Change Requests usually undergo an approval process before they are released and become effective. 

On Save and Release, the Change Request for the assignment of the Keywords will be automatically executed (released). As a result, the connection of the Keywords to the Classification Class is immediately available.

Withdraw

The connection between Classification Classes and Application Classes and Keywords is called assignment. 

If the connection of an Application Class or Keyword to a Classification Class is not needed anymore, the assignment can be deprecated using the Withdraw functionality.

The Withdraw functionality (Button Withdraw) groups together the options to withdraw Application Class or Keyword from a Classification Class.

Withdraw Application Class

This functionality allows users to deprecate (withdraw from usage) the connection between Application Class and a specific Classification Class. 

The starting point of this functionality can be the tabular view or the tree view of Classification Classes, where the user can select the Classification Class. In the next step, the user can select the Application Class(es) to be withdrawn from the list of the Application Classes assigned to the selected Classification Class. 

For the withdrawal of Application Classes, the graphical user interface consists of the details page of the Classification Class and the details page of the Application Class to be withdrawn (in case one single Application Class was selected from the list) or the list of Application Classes to be withdrawn (in case multiple Application Classes were selected from the list).

The user may confirm the withdrawal by pressing button Save or Save and Release. 

On Save, a Change Request for the withdrawal of the Application Class(es) will be created. Change Requests usually undergo an approval process before they are released and become effective. 

On Save and Release, the Change Request for the withdrawal of the Application Class(es) will be automatically executed (released). As a result, the connection of the Application Classes to the Classification Class is immediately deprecated and displayed grayed out.

Withdraw Keyword

This functionality allows users to deprecate (withdraw from usage) the connection between Keyword(s) and a specific Classification Class. 

The starting point of this functionality can be the tabular view or the tree view of Classification Classes, where the user can select the Classification Class. In the next step, the user can select the Keyword(s) to be withdrawn from the list of the Keywords assigned to the selected Classification Class. 

For the withdrawal of Keywords, the graphical user interface consists of the details page of the Classification Class and the details page of the Keyword to be withdrawn (in case one single Keyword was selected from the list) or the list of Keywords to be withdrawn (in case multiple Keywords were selected from the list).

The user may confirm the withdrawal by pressing button Save or Save and Release. 

On Save, a Change Request for the withdrawal of the Keyword(s) will be created. Change Requests usually undergo an approval process before they are released and become effective. 

On Save and Release, the Change Request for the withdrawal of the Keyword(s) will be automatically executed (released). As a result, the connection of the Keywords to the Classification Class is immediately deprecated and displayed grayed out.