Specification Type 

Definition

An exact grouping of specifications based on their use and significance in companies.

Use

Each specification belongs to only one specification type. Specification types are used to subdivide specification categories. By its assignment to a specification type, a specification is assigned its exact role in an enterprise.

You assign a specification type to a specification when you create it. You define specification types in the IMG activity Specify Specification Types in Customizing for Basic Data and Tools. For each specification type you then specify the following:

·        You assign the specification type to one or more specification categories.

·        You specify whether materials can be assigned to the specifications of the specification type.

·        You specify which specification types a specification must belong to if it is to be used as a source specification in a reference or inheritance relationship with a specification of the specification type.

·        You specify which number range group the specification type is assigned to. In addition, you can specify a check function that checks whether the syntax of the assigned specification key is correct.

·        If required, you specify an icon to be displayed in the navigation area and detail area of the workbench in front of the individual specifications of the specification type. By assigning different icons to different specification types, you can immediately recognize in the navigation area and detail area which specification type a specification belongs to.

Example

The following specification types are supplied with the standard system for the specification category Substance:

·        Real substance

A real substance is one that physically exists in a company.

In the standard system, you can assign one or more materials to a real substance. You can assign values to the value assignment types of a real substance, or transfer values from listed substances using references or inheritance.

·        Real substance group

Real substance groups are used to represent families of real substances with the same properties.

·        Listed substance

A listed substance is a substance whose properties are described in laws and scientific literature.

Unlike real substances, listed substances are not manufactured, traded, or procured. You can use a listed substance as a “properties model” for a real substance by assigning the listed substance as the source specification in a reference or inheritance relationship.

·        Listed substance group

Listed substance groups are used to represent families of listed substances with the same properties.

·        Copy template

Copy templates contain predefined value assignments. You can use them to create new specifications for substances.