Creating Variant Terms

Choose Create a Variant Term to add additional terms used for a term concept in the same language in the following situations.

The terminology changes between product releases.

Example

The term function library is valid from release 1.0 until release 3.0. From release 3.0, the feature remains the same and is renamed function builder. The terms appear together in the same SAPterm entry and indicate in which releases they are valid.
Different countries/regions use different terms for the same term concept.

Example

English-speaking countries/regions designate the concept of a governmental identification number for social services differently: social insurance number (Canada), National Insurance number (United Kingdom), and Social Security Number (United States). The terms appear together in the same SAPterm entry and indicate in which countries/regions they are valid.
Different products use different terms for the same term concept.

Example

Two products, A and B, are aimed at different customers. Product A uses the term vendor and product B uses the term supplier. The terms appear together in the same SAPterm entry and indicate in which products they are valid.

Note

Classify terms that are to be used in addition to a preferred term as synonyms. The terms appear together in the same SAPterm entry and indicate which term is preferred.

The difference is that a variant term is always to be used instead of the preferred term under specific defined circumstances. A synonym, in contrast, is permitted in place of a term for stylistic reasons (for example, formal and informal use), which should also be documented in the term note.

Prerequisites

The preferred term exists as a SAPterm entry.

Procedure

In the initial SAPterm screen search for and find the term entry, select the term, and choose Edit Entry.
Choose Create a Variant Term. The Variant Term field appears under the original term, which remains visible for reference.
Enter the variant term and the mandatory term information, then proceed as required to indicate the circumstances in which the variant term is to be used.
- To indicate the variant term is valid as of a specific release, enter the value in the Release field or use the dropdown list to find the correct value.
  
  To indicate a term is valid until a specific release or date, select Retired. Enter the value in the After Release field or use the predefined Date value as the retirement parameter.
- To indicate the variant term is valid in a specific country/region, enter the value in the Country/Region field or use the dropdown list to find the correct value.
- To indicate the variant term is valid for a specific product, choose Add Product; the Add Products window appears. Enter the value in the Products field or use the dropdown list to find the correct value, then choose Save. Choose Continue to close the window.
  
  Note
  
  Different variant term parameters can be combined. For example, a variant term may be valid for a specific release of a product in a country/region.
After entering the term entry information, choose Save.

If a term is retired in a source language, the Retire Term or Concept window appears. Decide whether only the term is to be retired in that language, or whether all terms in all languages are to be retired (that is, the entire term concept is retired).
- Choose Your Term to retire the current term only and add a term note about the retirement.
- Choose All Terms to retire every term in all languages for that term entry and to insert an automatic message about the retirement as a term note.
- Choose Cancel to abort the action without saving any changes.