More Functions in Classification

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This chapter informs you about more functions in classification. You will get a rough overview.

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More Functions in Classification:

Unit Objectives
You will get more information about
classification (overview):

More functions for class maintenance

Finding objects: selection criteria and

comparison types

Multiple classification / organizational areas

Hierarchy

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Finding Objects: Selection Criteria

Constant
Constant

2.75 or OTTO or 123-KD-27

Constants
Constants

2.75; 3,6; 4 or Malone; Miller; Smith

Interval
Interval

10 - 27.3

Spec.
Spec. interval
interval

<20
>14

(value less than 20)

(value greater than 14)

Combination:
Combination:

<10; 17; 19 - 23; >30

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The characteristics of a class allow you to enter your selection criteria for finding objects.
You can enter one or more constants or an interval when you use a characteristic to find objects.
If you enter several values for one characteristic, the values are logically linked with OR. If you enter
values for different characteristics, the values are logically linked with AND.
You can display possible entries for values when you enter your selection criteria. You see the allowed
values that are defined in the characteristic.
You find the objects that are classified with values that either match the constants you entered, or are
within the interval you entered.

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Finding Objects: Comparison Type

1:

Inclusive
2:

3:

Exclusive

4:

Values are equal to constants

or within interval

Values are not equal to constants

or outside interval

String search

Search for character string

with wild card*
R

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You use the comparison type to determine how your search criteria are interpreted.
If you do not enter a comparison type for a characteristic, the program uses the setting Inclusive for the
search.

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Same Classification
Attempt to classify
with same values

Already classified
Class
Bolt
...

Class
Bolt
...

Thread type: M
Length:
10 mm

Thread type: M
Length:
10 mm

completed
Fields:

X
X
X

Same classification
No check

Nothing

Check with warning message

Check with error message

Warning
Error

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This indicator defines how the system reacts if you try to classify 2 objects with exactly the same
characteristic values in the class. You can select only one of the 3 fields.
If you select No check, there is no check.
If you select Check with warning, you see a warning message if you try to classify 2 objects with
exactly the same characteristic values. You can then decide whether you want the second object to have
exactly the same characteristic values or not.
If you select Check with error, you see an error message if you try to classify 2 objects with exactly the
same characteristic values. You cannot save your classification.

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Class-Specific Changes to Characteristics

Central maintenance (general)
Basic data
Entry required
Interval values allowed

(class-specific
attributes)

Basic data
Entry required
X
Interval values allowed

Interface control
Unformatted entry
Propose template
Value assignment
No entry can be made
Hidden

Interface control

Values
Allowed values

Values
Allowed values

Unformatted entry
Propose template
Value assignment
No entry can be made
Hidden

6
8
10
12

Characteristics maintenance

Class LSP

8
10
12
14

Overwritten
Overwritten characteristic
characteristic attributes
R

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The values and indicators that you define in a characteristic apply to all classes in which you use the
characteristic.
However, you may need to change certain attributes or values of a characteristic for a specific class.
These changes only apply to the characteristic in this class.
If you change a characteristic for a class, the O indicator (overwritten) is set automatically.
When you change the values of a characteristic for a specific class, you automatically make a copy of
the values of the characteristic. Any changes you make to the values of the characteristic itself are no
longer reflected in the class. However, you can update the values if required.

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Multiple Classification / Organizational Areas

Multiple
classification

Organizational
areas

CLASS: HEX
Purchasing
Design
Warehouse

CLASS: HEX-P
Purchasing
info

CLASS: HEX-D
Design
info

...

...

Warehouse
info
R

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You can allocate an object to several classes at once. The classes may be different from either an
organizational or technical point of view. If you use multiple classification, an object that you classify
inherits the characteristics of all the classes to which you allocate it.
You can use any of the classes to find the object.
As an alternative to creating several classes to classify an object from different points of view, you can
include all the characteristics in one class and assign the characteristics to different organizational areas.
In Customizing the classification system, you can define your own organizational areas.

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Organizational Areas
Basic Data Application Data

Class LSP

P Purchasing
E Engineering
S Sales
A Audit
Characteristic
Manufacturer

Organizational area
PES

Performance

PES

Internal name

SA
PSA

Price range

EA

Registration date

.....

PE

.....

....

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Organizational areas are determined by the class type. In Customizing for the classification system, you
can change the organizational areas for a class type.
In the basic data of a class, you enter all the organizational areas that are relevant to the class.
You then define which organizational areas are relevant to each characteristic. You can only use the
organizational areas that you defined in the basic data of the class.

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Hierarchy Without Inheritance

Computer
Extras
Monitors

Software
Speakers

Manufacturer
Size
Frequency

M-01
Mfr:
SONY
Size:
17
Freqcy: 50

M-07

LS-02

Mfr:
MAG
Size:
15
Freqcy: 48

Class

Manufacturer
Power
Int. name
....

Mfr:
Power:
..........

Siem
40W

Object (material)

LS-05
Mfr:
Siem
Power: 60W
..........

Characteristic
R

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A class hierarchy is like a tree structure of classes. In the R/3 classification system, you set up this
structure by allocating classes to classes. You either allocate subordinate classes to one superior class,
or you allocate a subordinate class to several superior classes.
The class hierarchy helps you to structure your classification system to make your searches for objects
more efficient.
To set up a class hierarchy, you can use the following functions:
Allocate classes to class
You can allocate several subordinate classes to a superior class.
Allocate class to classes
You can allocate one class to several superior classes.
A hierarchy can contain classes of one class type.

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Hierarchy with Inheritance

Extras
Printers

...
Int. name: A2C
Mfr:
NEC
DPI: 300x600

Class

Monitors

Mfr
DPI

Inkjet

DT-01

Int. name

Laser

Price range

DT-05

DT-07

Int. name: A4C

Mfr:
IBM
DPI: 600x600

Int. name: B4C

Mfr:
EPS
DPI: 600x600
Price range: 03

Object (material)

Characteristic
R

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Hierarchies with inherited characteristics are based on the assumption that certain characteristics are
required in many classes in the hierarchy that are under one hierarchy node. You assign these
characteristics to this node (class) only. The characteristics are then inherited by all classes that are
below the class node in the hierarchy.
This also allows you to systematically restrict the allowed values for a characteristic as you go down the
hierarchy. In the subordinate classes, you only see the restricted set of allowed values, and you can only
select values from the restricted set.

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More Functions in Classification:

Unit Summary
You know more functions in class
maintenance.
You know, you may control the finding of
objects using comparison type and
selection criteria.
You can use class hierarchies to
structure your classification system.
The classification system is covered in
more detail in course LO985.

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