Understanding Configured Item Segments
Segments are the features and options of a configured item. Both cross-segment editing rules and assembly inclusion rules use segments within logic statements. Segments represent product characteristics such as color, material, and size. Segments define the choices that are available within a specific feature or option by using UDCs, ranges of values, or calculations. For clarification purposes, you assign numbers to each segment of the configured item. Information from the Display Order field determines the order in which you specify the segment value during order entry.
When adding new segments to a configured item, enter them at the end of the list of existing segments. This process keeps the configuration information in order, which is important if you will be using the Check Availability functionality.
You assign segments for a configured item in a numeric sequence.
Item 6000 (forklift) contains these segments:
10 Forklift Rating
20 Power Type
30 Boom Height
35 Interior
40 Paint
50 Propane Tank
60 Calculated Counterweight
65 Additional fork (spare)
You can define three types of segments:
Required: During order entry, you must provide this required information. The system performs edit checking against a UDC table of values, a range of values, or numeric validation.
Optional: During order entry, this information is optional. The system performs edit checking against a UDC table of values, a range of values, or numeric validation.
Calculated: During order entry, the system calculates the value for this segment. You define the calculation with a C (calculation) assembly inclusion rule. Calculated segments do not need a UDC or range of values defined. Calculated segments can be numeric or alphanumeric.
Note: The segment information for a configured item should be the same across branch/plants to enable transfers to other branches.
During order entry, you can enter a value for each segment. The system restricts this value, using one of these:
Numeric or alphabetic checking.
Range checking.
A UDC table that contains all values.
You can define multilevel configured items with no limit on the number of levels. In addition, no limits exist on the number of segments per level. You use assembly inclusion rules to define item levels and associated work orders.
You use segments to define cross-segment editing rules that ensure valid configurations. During order entry, the system verifies the combination of features and options to ensure that the item can be manufactured. You also use segments to define assembly inclusion rules that determine configuration-specific prices, components, calculated values, and routing steps.