Objectgroups
Here you can manage the object groups that are used for objects.
Objectgroups
Every object must belong to an object group. By assigning objects to their own objectgroup, several advantages can be determined.
Carefully consider how far you want to go with object groups. Most companies start with four basic object groups, namely:
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Production equipment; everything used to produce something
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Facilities; for your offices, air conditioning, toilets, etc.
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Mobile equipment; for forklifts, reach trucks, etc.
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Utilities; for the facilities required to support production.
Because it is easy to switch an object to another object group, you can always, based on needs, move objects out of a group. This way, you can start simple with creating objects.
The more specific you make the object groups, the more groups you will need, the more maintenance is required, and it becomes increasingly difficult to decide which group an object should belong to.
Below are the advantages an object group can bring.
| Advantage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Specific fields/attributes | By assigning each object group the fields (or attributes) that match the objects in that group, the questions you ask about an object will always be relevant. For example, you can create a field ‘Lifting height.’ This field is useful for forklifts but meaningless for an object in the group ‘Conveyor belts.’ |
| Statistics/KPIs | For each object group, statistics can be viewed (via an external report). For example, costs or downtime can be made transparent per object group. |
| Checklists | By linking one or more checklists (e.g., for preventive maintenance) to an object group, new objects in that group will automatically be included in preventive maintenance. This ensures that every object is automatically included in the correct inspections and audits. |
| Symptoms | Within ControlOffice, symptoms can be defined (under system administration). A symptom is a (frequent) problem you want to register in a notification or work order. By linking symptoms to the correct object groups, users can be forced to make the right choice when filling out a notification or work order. A notification or work order always has an object linked to it. Based on the object group, the list of symptoms can be limited to those relevant for that group. |
Layout of an Object Group
The layout of an object group always follows this method. Each detail screen has 3 levels.
| Level | Function |
|---|---|
| Column | A column is outlined in blue in the design screen. At least one and at most three columns are required. By creating columns, the information spreads across the screen. A column can have a title to emphasize the information in it. A column can be divided into segments. |
| Segment | A segment is outlined in gray in the detail screen. Each column must contain at least one segment. A segment can also have a title. Fields can be placed inside a segment. |
| Field | A field can only be placed in a segment. A field can be made editable or mandatory. |
Options in the Design Menu
| Option | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Delete column | Click the ‘Shredder’ icon at the top right of a column to delete it. A column can only be deleted if it contains no segments. |
| Delete segment | Click the ‘Shredder’ icon at the top right of a column to delete the segment. A segment can only be deleted if it contains no fields. |
| Editable field | By ticking the checkbox next to a field, you can specify whether it is editable or read-only. |
| Mandatory field | By ticking the checkbox next to a field, you can specify whether it must be filled in. |
| Delete field | Click the trash can icon next to a field to remove it from the detail screen. The field is not permanently deleted but placed in the pool of available fields. Some fields cannot be deleted; these are system fields required for correct data handling in ControlOffice. |
| Drag & drop | Columns, segments, and fields can be dragged to the desired position. |
| Add column | If 1 or 2 columns are present, another column can be added. This button appears automatically at the bottom left. |
| Add segment | Each column has a button at the bottom left to add a new segment. |
| Add field | Each segment has a button at the bottom right to add a new field. |
| Add list | Each tab can be added as a list to the detail screen. By placing a tab directly in the detail screen, the user no longer needs to switch tabs. For example, in a work order, a task can be created, a part issued, or an attachment added without switching tabs. |
From the ‘Add field’ button, you can add an existing unused field. Select one or more rows (fields) and click the + icon at the top left. Next to the + icon, there is a button to create a ‘New custom field’. Clicking this will create a new custom field, which can immediately be used. A new custom field always requires a name (must be unique, without special characters), a label (shown to users), and a field type.
In addition to designing the detail screen, tabs can also be configured. For each tab, you can specify whether it should be visible in the web application and/or in the app, and which columns should be visible (also separately for web and app).
The functionalities in this menu are not suitable for all users. Ensure only knowledgeable users have access.
Free fields – Objects
Here you will find an overview of all custom fields created by the user in addition to the provided system fields. These custom fields can be used in all object groups. A custom field always requires 3 mandatory fields: name (unique, no special characters), label (shown to users), and field type.
Available field types:
| Field type | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Image | Upload an image |
| Department | Select a department (system administration – departments) |
| Auto number | An automatically increasing number |
| Amount | Enter an amount |
| Date | Enter a date |
| Date / Time | Enter both a date and a time |
| Decimal | Enter a number with 2 decimal places |
| Service | Select a service (system administration – services) |
| Number | Enter a whole number |
| Signature | Enter a signature |
| Yes/No input | Choose yes or no |
| Employee | Select an employee (system administration – employees) |
| Memo | A larger text block for formatted text |
| Product | Select a product (system administration – products) |
| Relation | Select a relation (main menu – relations) |
| Time | Enter a time only (hh:mm) |
| Text | Enter text |
| Value list | Allows the user to choose from a predefined list (system administration – value lists) |