Metis Smart Modeling - Models

A model is the building block of Metis. It allows the application to generate a list of material, service items and configure maintenance based in logic rules defined by the business.

The current section describes how a model works and how one can create and maintain it. Based on that information, the following sections describe model building blocks like rules, groups of rules, variables and [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Masks|masks]]. For consistency purposes, all aspects of the creation of models are based on a full featured example.

Now that the ground work of the model concept is laid down, it is necessary to understand a bit how such a model works in the Metis environment. As described in figure [[:File:Model_Exec_1.png|Model execution overview]], outside of the [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Masks|masks]], a [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Model|model]] is built on specific objects. Each model includes at least one “[[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Group_of_Rules|group of rules]]”, which is a container for individual rules. Those rules are the logic part of the models. Each rule uses input values ([[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Variables|variables]], [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Attributes|attributes]], positions) coming from the [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Masks|masks]], default or calculated information to process a logic “formula”. A [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Group_of_Rules|Group of rules]] can include as many rules as necessary, with the only constrain that the result of a given rule will only be available in the next [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Group_of_Rules|group of rules]] in the process. As described in figure [[:File:Model_Exec_2.png|Group of rules execution overview]], a [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Group_of_Rules|group of rules]] feeds on input values which are instantiated before its execution. Once inside, all rules will use those values to process the formulas. When all rules are processed, the resulting [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Variables|variables]] and/or material positions are prepared for the next [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Group_of_Rules|group of rules]].Before starting the execution of the next [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Group_of_Rules|group of rules]], the engine instantiates the new input values and lets the various rules included in the group feed on them.  

The Metis environment supports and enables the use of three different types of rules. Overall, the type of the model will determine the "moment" the model will be executed and information it can base itself on. When creating a new model, the user has to select the appropriate type before defining the model.

A model defined as being of type "material" is defined in Metis Smart Modeling to generate a list of material in Metis Smart Quote based on input [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Masks|masks]], rules and logic. The result will be displayed in the latest.

After defining all basic information for the model, like name, descriptions and versioning, the lower part of the window allows to setup the [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Variables|variables]] to be used and formula which will be calculated. As for formula based rules, the first step is to define which input [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Variables|variables]] should be used in the formula. by clicking on the add button on the left of the table, the application will show a new window where the user can the type and the item to be used as input variable for the formula. In addition to the standard input items, a tax model can also use prices. The list of price types which can be used is available when selecting the "Items" radio button.

The tables below allow the user to define the two main parts of the model, those being the “[[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Masks|masks]]” and the “groups of rules”

A window similar to the [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Masks|masks]] window opens, but for groups of rules.

Select the desired groups of rules and confirm.

The green up and down arrows found above each table allow the user to modify the display order of the [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Masks|masks]] as well as the execution order of the groups of rules.

| A proper execution of the model depends entirely on the order of the groups of rules.

List of [[Description_of_the_Sub-Menu_Group_of_Rules|groups of rules]] to be used when executing the model in Metis Smart Quotes. The order of the groups of rules is very important for the model to generate concrete and valid results.

| Creation of a new model, selection of linked groups of rules and [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Masks|masks]].

| A model service or material model doesn't have influence on a configuration without fully configured groups of rules and in the case on material models [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Masks|masks]].

| Deleting a model only removes the "container" form the Metis Database, all [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Masks|masks]] and groups of rules which were linked to it will not be deleted!