Create Attributes to Describe Items

This document explains how you create attributes and connect them to categories. You can also add language-dependent descriptions to the attributes.

Attributes are further descriptions of the items to which you connect them.

Outcome

You have created one or several attributes.

For example, attributes such as Sugar Content, Grape Type, Skin Quality, etc. can be used to further describe the item Wine Grapes.

Use attributes to further define items, customer requirements, etc. that are not fully defined by the item itself. This thereby minimizes the amount of item numbers that need to be used within the company. Attributes that are used for similar items are grouped together into attribute models in 'Attribute Model. Open' (ATS050).

The attribute master file (MATRMA) is updated.

If you connect language-dependent descriptions to the attributes, the file for attribute descriptions in other languages (MATRDS) is updated.

Before you start

A number series type 77 with series 0 for Attribute Control must have been created in 'Number Series. Open' (CRS165).
If the attributes should be language specific, the languages used must be defined in 'Language. Open' (CRS010).

Follow these steps

Start 'Attribute. Open' (ATS010/B).
Set the panel sequence.

Note: This instruction is based on sequence E1.
Enter the Attribute ID and select an attribute category for the new attribute. Click New.

The ID can be alphanumeric and up to 15 positions long.
On the E panel, enter a description (required) and a name.
Set the level on which the attribute value should be maintained in the 'Controlling object' field.
Specify whether it should be possible to manually enter or change the attribute value.

Note: The Manual chg allowed check box cannot be enabled on this attribute if the Quality controlled check box has been selected.
If applicable, select the Quality controlled check box to create a quality controlled attribute. For details regarding quality controlled attribute, see .
Define the contents and appearance of printouts by filling in the fields connected to printout (optional). Press Enter.
If attribute category 2 was selected, define the basic unit of measure for the attribute (optional) and the number of decimal places.

Add a comment on the attribute by pressing F6 on the E panel (optional).
Press Enter to continue to 'Attribute. Enter Names/Language' (ATS011/B).

Enter names/Language (Optional)

In 'Attribute. Enter Names/Language' (ATS011/B), specify the language for which you want to create a language-dependent description. Click New.
On the E panel, enter a description (required) and name. Press Enter to return to the B panel.

You can add an optional comment to the description by pressing F6 on the E panel.
Repeat steps 10–11 for each language-dependent description you want to create.

Parameters to set


Program ID/Panel	Field	The field indicates …
ATS010/B	Attribute category	…the type of attribute. This information is mainly used to control how the attribute value is validated and how a default value can be created. The valid alternatives are: 1 = Alphanumeric; 2 = Numeric; 3 = Date; 4 = Text; 5 = Heading in the attribute values panel. For example, Color 01 is an alphanumeric attribute and Length is a numeric attribute.
(ATS010/E)	Attribute group	…the group to which the attribute should belong. For example, attributes that are used for wine grapes can be grouped together. Groups can be used as selection criteria and as additional information for an attribute. You can, for example, sort the attribute groups in (ATS010/B). Using attribute groups is optional.
(ATS010/E)	Controlling object	…the level on which the attribute value is maintained for an item. The valid alternatives are: 1 = Balance identity; 2 = Lot master (only for items that use the lot master files); 3 = Customer order line; 4 = Purchase order line; 5 = Manufacturing order; 6 = Req/distribution order line; 7 = Maintenance customer order line; 8 = Maintenance order line. Stock attributes (attributes using alternatives 1 and 2) can be used throughout the system. The other attributes can only be used in the area specified. (Thus, alternative 3 can only be used in customer order, and so on.) An attribute that is maintained for a balance identity can have different values for different locations, containers, etc. for the same lot. An attribute that is maintained on the lot master level can only have one attribute value for the lot number. An attribute maintained for a balance identity can also be used for items that are not lot processed. An attribute that is maintained on the lot master can only be used for lot processed items already in the lot master. Once you have set the controlling object for an attribute, you cannot change it.
(ATS010/E)	Quality controlled	…whether this attribute is identified as a characteristic linked to a test in quality control. This check box is used in conjunction with the Controlling object field where 1-Balance identity and 2-Lot master are the only applicable options.
(ATS010/E)	Manual change allowed	…whether the attribute value can be entered or changed manually in 'Attribute. Connect to' (ATS101).
(ATS010/E)	Basic U/M	…the unit of measure used for the attribute. This field is only displayed for attributes with category 2 (numerical) and will be displayed together with the attribute value. Example: Attribute: Sugar content Attribute value: 45 Basic U/M: %
(ATS010/E)	Number of decimal places	…how many decimal places are used for the attribute value. Up to six decimal places may be used.
Control Printing of Attribute Information
ATS010/E	Print information	…what attribute value information should be included in printouts. Attribute information can be printed on external order documents and internal manufacturing order documents.
ATS010/E	Print attribute information	…what information from the attribute itself should be included in the printout.
ATS010/E	Print on new line	…whether the information should be printed on the same line or start on a new line.
ATS010/E	Print separator	…the separator used between attributes and the values connected to them on a printout. The separator can be a blank space, a comma, a function-specific character, etc. and is used to improve the readability of the printed text
ATS010/E	Print separator prefix/suffix	…the separator used between different attributes on a printout. The prefix/suffix is printed before/after a new block of attributes/attribute values. The separator can be a blank space, a comma or such. Separators are not printed first or last on a line.
ATS010/E	Dyn calculated	… Dynamically calculated attributes are used where price is recalculated following a change in base values such as dry weight, net weight or weight per volume. This parameter is available for selection when attribute type is Alphanumeric (1) or Numeric (2) only. When dynamically calculated is selected: 'Controlling object' must be 2 Lot master 'Manually change allowed' must be deselected. 'Quality controlled' selection is not available.
(ATS011/B)	Language	…the language in which you want to create a language- dependent description of the attribute. One or several descriptions can be entered. These are used in the language set by the user when printing external documents for customers or suppliers. If you do not use this function, the description specified in (ATS010) will be used regardless of the language selected by the user.