Metis Smart Modeling - Attributes
From Metis Documentation
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| - | In Metis, attributes are additional position related information which can be defined as being basically anything. A position is defined through its parameters like order number, description or price for example. Those are predefined information which can describe a position. In many cases they are sufficient, but in order to enhance them, | + | In Metis, attributes are additional position related information which can be defined as being basically anything. A position is defined through its parameters like order number, description or price for example. Those are predefined information which can describe a position. In many cases they are sufficient, but in order to enhance them, Attributes can be defined in Metis Smart Modeling. |
== Attributes == | == Attributes == | ||
| - | Attributes can be pictured as customizable position properties. The user can define as many attributes as necessary (they will then appear linked to every position listed in the database). Along with every attribute, the user can also specify an appropriate [[Description_of_the_Menu_Positions#Quantity_Units|quantity unit]] (for example, service hours will have “hours” as quantity units. Most commonly attributes are used to provide positions with characteristics which can then be used in models or to display technical aspects of an offer. | + | Attributes can be pictured as customizable position properties. The user can define as many attributes as necessary (they will then appear linked to every [[Description_of_the_Menu_Positions|position]] listed in the database). Along with every attribute, the user can also specify an appropriate [[Description_of_the_Menu_Positions#Quantity_Units|quantity unit]] (for example, service hours will have “hours” as quantity units. Most commonly attributes are used to provide positions with characteristics which can then be used in models or to display technical aspects of an offer. |
The most commonly used type of attributes which can be defined here are, for example, service hours. If a position requires 5 minutes to be installed or maintained, an attribute can be defined to hold this value for a specific items. | The most commonly used type of attributes which can be defined here are, for example, service hours. If a position requires 5 minutes to be installed or maintained, an attribute can be defined to hold this value for a specific items. | ||
| - | By default, all | + | By default, all Attributes will be available for all positions. A real link between a position and its attribute is only defined once the attribute holds a value. This allows, through Metis Smart Modeling, to set numerical characteristics to positions. Once a position is inserted in an offer, the defined attributes are displayed and can be modified ( based on [[#Systems|defined settings]]), but attributes for which no values have been given in Metis Smart Modeling can be edited in Metis Smart Quotes. This means that the values provided through Metis Smart Modeling can be used in models and that Metis Smart Quotes can allow its user to modify those values. |
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Attributes can also be used to specify such product properties as: | Attributes can also be used to specify such product properties as: | ||
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* Etc… | * Etc… | ||
| - | Attributes can be used in rules as input. It is especially useful in Service models. For example installation times can be added in order to calculate the total number of hours required to setup the content of the offer. | + | |
| + | Attributes can be used in rules as input. It is especially useful in ''[[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Models#Service|Service models]]'''. For example installation times can be added in order to calculate the total number of hours required to setup the content of the offer. | ||
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| - | On the left-hand side of the window, a '''Search''' feature is found. | + | On the left-hand side of the main window, a '''Search''' feature is found. It allows the user/administrator to find Attributes based on various criterion. The search is triggered by typing a keyword or only a letter in the fields above the "Search" button and then click on it. The results are then displayed below. Selecting a line from the result list will automatically select the corresponding entry in the main table. |
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=== Basic Properties === | === Basic Properties === | ||
| - | Each | + | Each Attribute defined in Metis Smart Modeling is based on the following information: |
| - | *'''Attribute Name''' : | + | *'''Attribute Name''' : name which will be used to identify the Attribute within Metis Smart Suite. |
*'''Quantity Unit''' : Optional [[Description_of_the_Menu_Positions#Quantity_Units|quantity unit]] related to the attribute. (i.e. KG for weight) | *'''Quantity Unit''' : Optional [[Description_of_the_Menu_Positions#Quantity_Units|quantity unit]] related to the attribute. (i.e. KG for weight) | ||
| - | *'''Description''' : | + | *'''Description''' : name which will be displayed to the user in Metis Smart Modeling and Metis Smart Quotes for the attribute. It can be provided in all available languages. |
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| The most common situation where this type of attributes is used, is in TAX models. | | The most common situation where this type of attributes is used, is in TAX models. | ||
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=== Values === | === Values === | ||
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| + | The value tab displays a summary of all values given for the current attribute within the list of positions. Selection can be done on the content of the list : | ||
* Display only positions with a value | * Display only positions with a value | ||
* Display all positions | * Display all positions | ||
| - | This list enables the user to set values to for the current attribute to any position. Setting a value is done by selecting the corresponding column in the table for the desired position and entering a value. Entered values will only be saved once the window has been validated. Meaning that all input can be canceled by closing the windows with the | + | This list enables the user to set values to for the current attribute to any position. Setting a value is done by selecting the corresponding column in the table for the desired position and entering a value. Entered values will only be saved once the window has been validated. Meaning that all input can be canceled by closing the windows with the "Cancel" [[File:MetisSmartModelingCancelButton.PNG|link=]] button. |
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[[File:MetisSmartModelingSCAttributes3.PNG|center|706x860px]] | [[File:MetisSmartModelingSCAttributes3.PNG|center|706x860px]] | ||
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All of the values entered here may be displayed and used in the calculation process in Metis Smart Quotes. By sorting and searching through the list, defining values for position can be done in no time. On the other hand, it is also a great way to verify values which have been imported through the various data import functions available by default in Metis Smart Modeling or added to the environment based on organization specific requirements. | All of the values entered here may be displayed and used in the calculation process in Metis Smart Quotes. By sorting and searching through the list, defining values for position can be done in no time. On the other hand, it is also a great way to verify values which have been imported through the various data import functions available by default in Metis Smart Modeling or added to the environment based on organization specific requirements. | ||
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=== Systems === | === Systems === | ||
| - | As certain values assigned to positions through an attribute sometimes should be modified once the position is used in an offer in Metis Smart Quotes, Metis Smart Modeling allows to set for which [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Systems|system]] the current attribute is either editable, visible or completely hidden. By selecting the most suitable state in the drop-down list, the selection is set for the listed system. | + | |
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| + | As certain values assigned to positions through an attribute sometimes should be modified once the position is used in an offer in Metis Smart Quotes, Metis Smart Modeling allows to set for which [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Systems|system]] the current attribute is either editable, visible or completely hidden. By selecting the most suitable state in the drop-down list, the selection is set for the listed system. This is done in the third tab called "Systems". | ||
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Possible selection : | Possible selection : | ||
| - | * Undefined - this is the default state and is equivalent to editable | + | * "Undefined" - this is the default state and is equivalent to editable |
| - | * Editable - the end user can edit this attribute | + | * "Editable" - the end user can edit this attribute |
| - | * Not editable - the end user cannot edit this attribute | + | * "Not editable" - the end user cannot edit this attribute |
| - | * Invisible - end user will not see this attribute, but it can be used for modelling | + | * "Invisible" - end user will not see this attribute, but it can be used for modelling |
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=== Creating an attribute === | === Creating an attribute === | ||
| - | In the | + | |
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| - | In the “Quantity Unit” field, select a unit from the drop down menu. For example, select “Kilograms.” | + | In the '''Attributes''' sub-menu, the "Add" button [[File:MetisSmartModelingAddButton.PNG|link=]] located above the main table allows the user/administrator to create a new Attribute. When it is clicked, the '''Attribute''' creation window opens, it allows to define all related information. In the “Attribute Name” field, name the attribute. For example, “Weight”. In the “Quantity Unit” field, select a unit from the drop down menu. For example, select “Kilograms.” Enter a description for the available languages. Move to the “Values” tab. All the available positions in this version are displayed. Select a position to modify and double click on its value to edit it. |
| - | Enter a description for the available languages. | + | |
| - | Move to the “Values” tab. All the available positions in this version are displayed. | + | |
| - | Select a position to modify and double click on its value to edit it. | + | |
For example, for the “19’’ LCD Screen” position, change the value to “5.25.” Now move to the “Systems” tab. | For example, for the “19’’ LCD Screen” position, change the value to “5.25.” Now move to the “Systems” tab. | ||
| - | All the available systems in this version are displayed. | + | All the available systems in this version are displayed. On this tab, it is possible to enable or disable the editing of the attribute or even hide the attribute. For example, select DB server then click on the drop-down menu in the Status column. If “Editable” is selected, then the Smart Quotes user is able to edit the weight attribute for all the positions appearing under the DB server system. If “Not editable” is selected, then the Smart Quotes user is not able to edit the weight attribute for all the positions appearing under the DB server system. If “Invisible” is selected, then the Smart Quotes user does not see the weight attribute for all the positions appearing under the DB server system. Define a status for the systems and once finished, click on confirm to continue. The “weight” attribute is now created and listed. |
| - | On this tab, it is possible to enable or disable the editing of the attribute or even hide the attribute. | + | |
| - | For example, select DB server then click on the drop-down menu in the Status column. | + | |
| - | If “Editable” is selected, then the Smart Quotes user is able to edit the weight attribute for all the positions appearing under the DB server system. | + | |
| - | If “Not editable” is selected, then the Smart Quotes user is not able to edit the weight attribute for all the positions appearing under the DB server system. | + | |
| - | If “Invisible” is selected, then the Smart Quotes user does not see the weight attribute for all the positions appearing under the DB server system. | + | |
| - | Define a status for the systems and once finished, click on confirm to continue. | + | |
| - | The “weight” attribute is now created and listed. | + | |
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| Creation and edition of an attribute. | | Creation and edition of an attribute. | ||
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| + | {{Note | ||
| + | | Mandatory fields are displayed in '''bold''' or with a red triangle in front of the field. | ||
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=== Modifying an attribute === | === Modifying an attribute === | ||
| - | In the | + | In the '''Attributes''' sub-menu, the "Edit" button [[File:MetisSmartModelingEditButton.PNG|link=]] located above the main table allows the user/administrator to apply modifications to all properties related to the selected Attribute. Selecting a Attribute and clicking on it opens the '''Attribute''' edition window where all related properties and information can be edited. |
| - | [[File:MetisSmartModelingSCAttributes2.PNG|center| | + | [[File:MetisSmartModelingSCAttributes2.PNG|center|600x400px]] |
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| + | For detailed descriptions of all information available in this window please refer to the section dedicated to the creation of a new Attribute. Modifications applied to the selected Attribute will only be saved once the Attribute edition window is validated using the [[File:MetisSmartModelingOKButton.PNG|link=]] button at the bottom of the window. This will update the table/list displayed on the main screen. Using the "Cancel" [[File:MetisSmartModelingCancelButton.PNG|link=]] button discards all changes and closes the window. | ||
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=== Deleting an attribute === | === Deleting an attribute === | ||
| - | In the | + | In the '''Attributes''' sub-menu, the "Delete" button [[File:MetisSmartModelingDeleteButton.PNG|link=]] located above the main table allows the user/administrator to delete the selected Attribute. Selecting one or more Attributes and clicking on it displays the following confirmation window. |
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| + | [[File:MSM_Attributes_Attributes_Delete.png|center]] | ||
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| + | Once the warning is confirmed, the selected Attribute is removed from Metis Smart Suite and deleted from the Metis Database. | ||
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== Attributes Sets == | == Attributes Sets == | ||
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Attribute Sets can also be used to set identical values to attributes in sets. If no values have been set specifically to the position, it will take the value defined in the attributes set. | Attribute Sets can also be used to set identical values to attributes in sets. If no values have been set specifically to the position, it will take the value defined in the attributes set. | ||
| - | In the Attributes Set | + | In the Attributes Set sub-menu, the user can define groups of positions which will inherit the same attribute values and can be made specific to systems. |