Defining Enterprise Item Number Format

An enterprise item number is an alphanumeric character string that distinguishes a product from all others in the system. As an Administrator, you can define the format for the string that makes up the enterprise item number.

Required Responsibility:

  • Baseline: Administrator

When a user creates a product, or a duplicate, the enterprise item number is not specified and appears as 'None' in the product identity card or properties. Depending on how you define the format, the user can either create the number in its entirety, add their own text to be included as part of the number, or select to use an autogenerated number.

To define the format, you have these options:

  • Use the default format. If you choose not to define the format, users can enter any alphanumeric string they choose, including duplicates of existing numbers.
  • Create a parameterization formula in the Collaborative Space Configuration Center.
  • Create a business rule.

Note: If you create a numbering format using a parameterization formula and a business rule, the business rule takes precedence.

This task shows you how to:

Set the Format Using a Parameterization Formula

When you use a parameterization formula, you create a format that includes alphanumeric affixes that you define, numeric counters that increment, and text fields that let users enter their own text. Alternatively, you can let the system autogenerate the enterprise item number.

For more information, see Configuring an Engineering Number Parameterization Formula.

Set the Format Using a Business Rule

When you use a business rule, the entire enterprise item number is generated for the user. There are no fields for the user to enter text. The Set Enterprise Item Number dialog box enables the user to either of the following:

  • Select Update Existing Enterprise Item Number to update or assign numbers for all items listed.
  • Clear the check box to assign numbers to objects that do not have them.

For more information, see Creating Enterprise Item Number Business Rules.