Classification (CA-CL) 

Purpose

The classification system allows you to use characteristics to describe R/3 objects, and to group similar objects in classes – to classify objects, in other words.

You can then use classes to help you to find objects more easily, using the characteristics defined in them as search criteria. This ensures that you can find objects with similar or identical characteristics as quickly as possible.

Integration

The classification system allows you to classify all types of object. First, you must define certain settings in Customizing. For information on Customizing settings for classification, see Customizing for Classification.

SAP has predefined a number of object types in the standard system (for example, materials, and equipment). The settings for these object types are already made in Customizing, so you can start to set up your classification system for these object types without making further settings.

Features

Before you can use classification functions, you need to set up your classification system.

The classification system is made up of three steps:

  1. Defining the Properties of Objects

    2. You describe the properties of objects using characteristics. You create characteristics centrally in the R/3 System.

    See also SAP Library CA Characteristics documentation.

  2. Creating Classes

    3. You need classes to classify objects. These classes must be set up. During set up you must assign characteristics to the classes.

  3. Assigning Objects

Once you have created classes, you can use these classes to classify objects. You use the characteristics of the class to describe the objects you classify.

This completes the data you require to use your classification system. You can then use your classification system to find objects that match the criteria you require.

 For hints on setting up your classification system so as to optimize system performance for finding objects, see System Performance.

Once you have set up the classification system you can use it to find certain objects. To do this:

When you use classification to find objects, you use the characteristics as search criteria, and the system compares the values you enter with the values of the classified objects.

The following graphic is an overview of the functions of the classification system.