4.8. ERP toolbar and menu

Chapter 4. Strategic Parts Management 4.8. ERP toolbar and menu
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Note

	Note
The visibility of ALL toolbars, buttons, menus and menu entries is controlled by the configuration files `menustructure_PARTdataManager.cfg` and `menuvisibility_PARTdataManager.cfg`. The complete description can be found under Section 1.7.8.2, “ Tweak menus, menu items, toolbars, buttons and context menu commands ”. The configuration of ERP toolbar und menu is role dependent. In the following the most important for the configuration of ERP toolbar with buttons and ERP menu with entries is explained.

The visibility of ALL toolbars, buttons, menus and menu entries is controlled by the configuration files menustructure_PARTdataManager.cfg and menuvisibility_PARTdataManager.cfg. The complete description can be found under Section 1.7.8.2, “ Tweak menus, menu items, toolbars, buttons and context menu commands ”.

The configuration of ERP toolbar und menu is role dependent.

In the following the most important for the configuration of ERP toolbar with buttons and ERP menu with entries is explained.

At first you will find a short instruction and in the following a listing with all toolbar buttons and menu items together with the according tweak command.

In the configuration file menustructure_PARTdataManager.cfg, ERP toolbar and menus are already specified with the following commands:

LinkDatabase

"ERP" toolbar

"Sap" toolbar
ErpMenu

ERP menu

Excerpt from $CADENAS_SETUP/menustructure_PARTdataManager.cfg

[Tweakmenu]

toolbarOrderTop=Standard,Assembly,Details,Export,\n,Views,LinkDatabase,Addsap,
 Classification,IndexTree
toolbarOrderRight=
toolbarOrderLeft=
toolbarOrderBottom=

#Toolbars
...
LinkDatabaseToolbar=MainWindow/LinkDatabase
LinkDataBaseToolbarTitle=Link database
LinkDatabaseToolbarContent=LinkDbLogin,LinkDbChangeGroup,CallLinkMgr,LinkDbSendMail,
 LinkDbAddToDb,LinkDbClassify,LinkDbShowLegend,PreferredRanges,erp_psol_mm_vars,
 show_dbdata,SORTTABLE,erp_dbedit,DisplayMatButton,ChangeMatButton,SearchMatButton,
 erp_sap_showdis
LinkDatabaseToolbarButtonStyle=

AddSapToolbar=MainWindow/Addsap
AddSapToolbarTitle=Sap
AddSapToolbarContent=sap
AddSapToolbarButtonStyle=

#Menus
...
ErpMenuName=ErpMenu
ErpMenuTitle=ERP
ErpMenuContent=LinkDbLogin,LinkDbChangeGroup,CallLinkMgr,LinkDbBackToMgr,
 LinkDbCancelBackToMgr,LinkDbSendMail,LinkDbAddToDb,LinkDbClassify,LinkDbShowLegend,
 PreferredRanges,erp_psol_mm_vars,show_dbdata,SORTTABLE,erp_dbedit,DisplayMatButton,
 ChangeMatButton,SearchMatButton,erp_sap_showdis

Using LinkDatabaseToolbarContent (and AddSapToolbarContent) and ErpMenuContent you can specify which elements should be principally available, independently of the role-specific visibility.

Create roles and types of roles
In the configuration file menuvisibility_PARTdataManager.cfg you can specify all needed roles and types of roles, meaning what is to be displayed in PARTdataManager at which role.
Excerpt from $CADENAS_SETUP/menuvisibility_PARTdataManager.cfg
```
[ROLES]
LOC1=TYP_B
LOC2=TYP_C
LOC3=TYP_A
ECAT1=TYP_A
ECAT2=TYP_A
ECAT3=TYP_A
ECAT4=TYP_A
ECAT5=TYP_A
ECAT6=TYP_A
```
Configure the needed roles and types following the above schema. May be there are 20 different roles, but only 3 different types of roles.

Assign single commands to role types

Now specify the desired GUI elements for each role type. See following example. The ERP elements are highlighted in red.

Excerpt from menuvisibility_PARTdataManager.cfg

[TYP_A]
LayoutResetDefault=true
ViewPart=true
View2D=true
...
...
LinkDbLogin=true
LinkDbChangeGroup=true
LinkDbBackToMgr=true
LinkDbCancelBackToMgr=true
LinkDbSendMail=true
LinkDbAddToDb=true
LinkDbShowLegend=true

[TYP_B]
LayoutResetDefault=true
ViewIndextree=true
ViewPart=true
View2D=true
...
...
LinkDbLogin=true
LinkDbChangeGroup=true
LinkDbBackToMgr=true
LinkDbCancelBackToMgr=true
LinkDbSendMail=true
LinkDbAddToDb=true
LinkDbShowLegend=true

[TYP_C]
LayoutResetDefault=true
ViewIndextree=true
ViewPart=true
View2D=true
...
...
LinkDbLogin=true
LinkDbChangeGroup=true
LinkDbBackToMgr=true
LinkDbCancelBackToMgr=true
LinkDbSendMail=true
LinkDbAddToDb=true
LinkDbShowLegend=true

The following listing shows tooltip, tweak command and function for each button or menu entry.^[67]

Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

Authenticate user

LinkDbLogin

Authenticate user:

In order to be able to work with the ERP/PDM integration a connection to the database has to be established.

Unless automatic login is activated, after launching PARTdataManager the database login dialog appears.

Authenticate user

Enter your username und password. If there is no connection or the connection is terminated for any reason you can call the dialog box Database login by clicking on this button.

Furthermore the user can call the dialog in order to log in as another user.

Note

Users will receive username and password by the system administration.

In the case of a standard installation with PLINKDB database initially applies:

Standard user: Username and password identical 'erpuser'.
Admin: User 'sa', password: (according to the password given during the database creation)

Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

Select group

LinkDbChangeGroup

Select group :

If a user has several roles, he can switch between the roles when using this button.

When clicking on the button the adjoining dialog is displayed.

Select the desired role and confirm with OK.

If the change of roles is rather infrequently, activate the option Remember selected role. In this way the last chosen role is saved and the role dialog is suppressed as long as the user clicks again on the Select group button or the saved role is no longer available for the respective user (setting in plinkusers.cfg).

The currently logged in user and role are displayed in the PARTdataManager, below in the status bar.

Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

Launch PARTlinkManager
CallLinkMgr
Launch PARTlinkManager

Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

Send selection to Link Manager

Cancel selection

LinkDbBackToMgr

LinkDbCancelBackToMgr

Send selection to Link Manager / Cancel selection

Via double-click on a line in PARTlinkManager the view switches to PARTdataManager.

Now you can select any line in PARTdataManager. By clicking on this line is linked with an ERP number in PARTlinkManager, created before. The view returns back to PARTlinkManager. By clicking on you can cancel the procedure.

These two icons are only active, if a call has been performed in PARTlinkManager, otherwise these are inactive and dimmed.

Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

Request ERP number per e-mail
LinkDbSendMail
Request ERP number per e-mail

Request ERP number per e-mail:
When clicking on the button Request ERP number per e-mail a dialog box opens where you can request the release for the desired part which is locked for the export at the responsible department.
In order to enable the functionality, in the configuration file under $CADENAS_SETUP/plinkcommon.cfg, enter the mail server. This is the most important setting. Besides you can find further setting options. On this see the [HELP] texts in the configuration file itself. This setting is role-comprehensive.
```
[MAIL]
TEMPLATE=$CADENAS_SETUP/linkdbtemplate_$(CADENAS_LANGUAGE).html
SENDTO=name@company.com
SUBJECT=Neue ERP-Nummer
SERVER=
;...
```
Under $CADENAS_SETUP/plinkgroups.cfg you can override the entry role-specific.
```
[Rolename]
SENDTO=
SUBJECT=
SERVER=
```
Standard dialog

Extended dialog

Information on how to extend the dialog can be found under Section 4.12, “Timestamp number on/off”.
The sent e-mail contains a .psmid file attached. Via double-click on this file PARTdataManager opens with the according project and row.
The e-mail itself contains all important information on the part, also the MIDENT for example (internal, unique identification of the part). On this also see Section 3.1.19.2.7.13, “ Open part by MIDENT ” in PARTsolutions - User manual.
The last line contains a batch command, which opens the part in PARTdataManager.

Sample e-mail

Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

Add dataset to link database

LinkDbAddToDb

Add dataset to link database

Add dataset to link database calls the following window:

Standard dialog

Any number of input fields can be added. Compare following figure. More information on this can be found under Section 4.12, “Timestamp number on/off”.

Extended dialog

Note

By default, ERP for single parts in assembly tables is not supported. If a single part of an assembly is selected in the docking window Assembly and then the button Add dataset to link database is clicked, an error message pointing out the following key is displayed:

$CADENAS_SETUP/plinkcommon.cfg

[PARTdataManaager]
UseErpForAssPart=0

If the functionality is wanted the key has to be set on 1.

Details on this can be found under Section 4.17.7, “ ERP for single parts in assembly tables / plinkcommon.cfg -> Block [PARTdataManager] -> Key "UseErpForAssPart" ”.

Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

Add dataset to link database (variant)

erp_psol_mm_vars

Add dataset to link database (variant)

Choose a data set, which is the very next to the variable to be changed.

After clicking the button the Create variant window opens.

All variables of the part are listed.

In the adjoining example D has been changed from 20 to 22.

After this the same dialog as at Add dataset to link database displays (see above).

Result: The added variant displays in PARTdataManager in addition.

Activate required VBS script

In order for the function Add dataset to link database (variant) to be available in the ERP toolbar in principle, (independently of the visibility), the script erp_psol_mm_vars has to be activated.

In PARTadmin -> category Configuration files -> $CADENAS/SETUP/erpcustom.cfg -> Block [LOAD], on the respective key perform the context menu command Activate and save. (If the key does not exist, please add it with ongoing number.) In order for the button to become visible, please restart PARTdataManager.

PARTadmin -> erpcustom.cfg -> [LOAD]

Correct sorting of variants

When variants are created, possibly these are not sorted correctly in PARTdataManager (see fig. above). However you can determine the schema of sorting for the currently opened project in a special dialog. So a manual editing of the PRJTABLE is not necessary. On this see under Set the sorting order for currently opened project.

Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

Set the sorting order for currently opened project

SORTTABLE

Specification of sorting order for the currently opened project:

When creating variants (see ) often these are not correctly sorted. However, you can configure that a dialog is displayed where you can specify the sorting order for the PARTdataManager table. Thereby manual editing is obsolete.

Therefor, in the configuration file under $CADENAS_SETUP/erpcustom.cfg, in the block ADDTODB_VARS activate the key with the value$CADENAS_SETUP/scripts/erp/erp_sorttable.vbb. Should the key not exist then please add it yourself.

PARTadmin -> erpcustom.cfg -> [ADDTODB_VARS]

Once the activation of the key happened the dialog box Change sorting order? appears when a variant has been set. Not before the sorting has been explicitly determined for a certain project, the dialog box won't appear anymore.

Do you want to redefine the sorting for this project? - > Yes
-> The dialog box Change sorting order opens.

You can call the dialog box anytime by clicking on the button Set the sorting order for currently opened project .
Do you want to redefine the sorting for this project? - > No
By default the variant is sorted below that line, from where it was created.

User information on this can be found under Section 3.1.11.14, “Line sorting in PARTdataManager ” in PARTsolutions - User manual.

Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

Edit/delete dataset
erp_dbedit
Edit/delete dataset :

Edit/delete dataset :
When clicking on the button the dialog box Edit/delete dataset appears.

Edit/delete dataset
- New key value
  Change the ERP_PDM_NUMBER if desired.
The data view is divided into Link-data and ERP data.
- Update dataset
  Click on the value needing to be changed, change it accordingly and click on Update dataset.
- Delete link
  Deletes the data of the LINKTABLE.
  Afterwards follows an inquiry whether or nor the data of the ERPTABLE should be kept. Confirm/deny the inquiry accordingly.
- Execute SQL-command
  Opens the window of the same name.
  In the SQL command entry field you can enter any command.
  Define the maximum number of lines in the result.
  Click on Execute after.
  
  Note
  Via the browse button ... the table names and a selection of SQL commands can be shown.
  
  Execute SQL-command
- Close
Activate required VBS script
In order for the function Edit/delete dataset to be available in the ERP toolbar in principle, (independently of the visibility), the script $CADENAS_SETUP/scripts/erp/erp_dbedit.vbb has to be activated.
In PARTadmin -> category Configuration files -> $CADENAS/SETUP/erpcustom.cfg -> Block [LOAD], on the respective key perform the context menu command Activate and save. (If the key does not exist, please add it with ongoing number.) In order for the button to become visible, please restart PARTdataManager.

PARTadmin -> erpcustom.cfg -> [LOAD]
Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

show database-data for this part
show_dbdata
show database-data for this part :

show database-data for this part:
The window shows geometric data as well as ERP data.

Activate required VBS script
In order for the function show database-data for this part to be available in the ERP toolbar in principle, (independently of the visibility), the script $CADENAS_SETUP/scripts/erp/show_dbdata.vbb has to be activated.
In PARTadmin -> category Configuration files -> $CADENAS/SETUP/erpcustom.cfg -> Block [LOAD], on the respective key perform the context menu command Activate and save. (If the key does not exist, please add it with ongoing number.) In order for the button to become visible, please restart PARTdataManager.

PARTadmin -> erpcustom.cfg -> [LOAD]
Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

Classify project
LinkDbClassify
Classify project

User information on this can be found under Projekt klassifizieren.
Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

Show legend
LinkDbShowLegend Legend (Locked, Released, Expired)

Tooltip

Tweak command

Function

Vorzugsreihen an/aus

PreferredRanges

Preferred rows on/off

Preferred rows on/off:

When activating the function projects and directories which do not meet the preferred rows condition are hidden in the index tree and in the table the respective rows (characteristics).

Note

The function only then works if the setting was made for the respective role. See examples below.

Details on the specification of the condition can be found under Registerseite Allgemein -> Preferred ranges.

Effect of the preferred rows activation in the table
Only rows which meet the condition are displayed.
Example:
Setting in the configuration file $CADENAS_SETUP/plinkgroups.cfg
```
[Role_nname]
PREFRANGE=((ERP_PDM_NUMBER.NE.'').AND.(ACTIVE_STATE.EQ.1))
```
Meaning: The ERP number is not equal empty, in other words available AND the column ACTIVE_STATE has the value 1 (=released).
Setting under PARTadmin -> category Roles -> tabbed page General -> Preferred ranges

-> Effect in PARTdataManager:

Preferred rows off, all rows are displayed: Row 6 and 10 do not meet the preferred rows condition and so are hidden when the function is activated.. See next figure.

Preferred rows on
Effect of the preferred rows activation in the index tree
The directories and projects in the index tree are always colored in green or semi-transparent.^[68] Green means that at least one project line meets the condition under CONDITIONTREE or Display condition for parts selection. Green is transmitted to the top (on hierarchically higher directories). Semi-transparent means that no line of any project meets the condition.
Once the preferred rows function is activated all semi-transparent projects and directories are hidden.
Example:
Setting in configuration file $CADENAS_SETUP/plinkgroups.cfg

Note
For the key CONDITIONTREE, please use SQL syntax.
```
[Role_nname]
CONDITIONTREE=(LINKTABLE.ERP_PDM_NUMBER<>'') AND (ACTIVE_STATE=1)
```
Meaning: ERP number is not equal empty, in other words available AND the column ACTIVE_STATE has the value 1 (=released).
Note
No entry in the key CONDITIONTREE is according to:

CONDITIONTREE=(LINKTABLE.ERP_PDM_NUMBER<>'')
Setting under PARTadmin -> category Roles -> tabbed page General -> Display condition for parts selection

-> Effect in PARTdataManager:
If the filter Preferred rows on/off is activated only those directories and projects are displayed, which contain parts, which meet the condition, meaning the green ones.

Preferred rows function off: All directories and projects are displayed.

Preferred rows function on: Only the green ones are displayed.

The activation of the preferred rows function also effects the search! The search results are filtered and have to meet the preferred rows condition. Also see Section 3.1.11.2, “ Enhanced search possibilities with ERP integration ” in PARTsolutions - User manual.

You can recognize the table restriction at the filter icon . When clicking on the icon the filter is removed and all rows are displayed.

SAP functionality

Tooltip	Tweak command	Function
	erp_sap_showdis	Create material
	ChangeMatButton	Change material
	DisplayMatButton	Display material
	SearchMatButton	Search material

^[67]The commands for buttons and menu entries are the same.

^[68]Settings under COLORCONDITIONTREE or Status colors for catalog index override and possibly result in a multicolored index tree (see Section 4.7.3.3.2, “ Status colors for catalog index - plinkgroups.cfg -> Block [Role_name] -> Key "COLORCONDITIONTREE<number>" ”).

If the option under PARTlinkManager -> Extras menu -> Configure ERP environment -> Assign linked parts in the parts selection is deactivated the index tree is displayed plain-colored.

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