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Attributes

Item attributes are names/value pairs associated with a specific item code that describe it in a detailed manner. This somewhat confusing description defines a rather simple concept. Take for example this snippet of a vendor's catalog describing the item used as example in this section:


In this section, we've been working with the first item in the table identified as part number 8MGT-640-12. Other columns in this table of interest are "No. of Teeth" and Pitch Length (In.). The other fields are not attributes. They are specific fields referenced in the item's Item Details tab in the item maintenance window.

Our item, 8MGT-640-12, has attribute names of "No. of Teeth" and "Pitch Length (In.)". The corresponding attribute values are 80 and 25.20. Together, a name and value create a name/value pair.

The pairing of names and values is a powerful thing. Once your items have common names, you are able to build print-ready trees just like the one in the example directly from the database. This eliminates hundreds if not thousands of man hours for each print catalog you produce.

In addition, the same attributes are the fuel for a powerful search engine component in both e-commerce and the Venture Desktop application. With these attributes, you are able to search for an item based on its definition. For example, Venture will know that this item is in a particular category. From there, you can ask it to find items matching the attribute value in question. This makes it possible to find an item without knowing its part number.

This same search feature makes it easy for your customers to locate items on your web site.

Taken from the example vendor catalog above plus additional information in the same catalog, we can build attribute name/value pairs using the Item Maintenance window's supplemental data tab.



Adding name/value pairs is accomplished using the fields labeled accordingly at the top of the Item Attributes Tool box. Context menus are available from the items in the results tree using the right-click/CTRL-click option:



You may elect to edit or remove any name/value pair from the results tree. Keep in mind that removing an record cannot be undone.

Note: maintaining large numbers of items' name/value pairs is commonly done using a spreadsheet to ensure that the name records are exactly the same across common records. This assures proper search and display results as any differences in wording the name field will result in creating a new column in the search. More information about uploading spreadsheets of name/value pairs is available in the service manuals.


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