Merge Categorization Schemas 

Use

These functions enable you to combine the categories and object links of two schemas with one another. In this type of merge, the object links and category links of a lower-level schema are added to a leading schema. In the process, the leading schema fulfills the function of a template schema. The categories and object links that are identical in both schemas are transferred according to the leading schema – however, the additional categories and objects of the lower-level schema are also transferred. Where a decision is required – for example, when objects can be assigned to a category once only – the settings and objects of the leading schema are transferred when the merge takes place.

This function is available in the category modeler.

Prerequisites

Both schemas to be merged must be in the same client of a CRM system. If you work with multiple clients and CRM systems, you must transport schemas beforehand (see Import Categorization Schemas).

Features

Schemas are merged according to the following rules (illustrated by the example in the figure below):

       1.      Identical and differing categories and object links of both schemas are merged in the leading schema. When categories and object links are identical, the properties (such as descriptions) of the leading schema are retained.

       2.      When the object link types are identical (here: link z) but the objects differ and only a single assignment is permitted for these objects, the objects of the leading schema are retained. The object of the lower-level schema is not taken into account for the merge.

Figure: Merging of Categorization Schemas

 

The following table provides an overview of the available methods and functions:

Technical Object	Use
Method: IF_CRM_ERMS_CATEGO_ASPECT~MERGE	Merges schemas
Method: IF_CRM_ERMS_CATEGO_ASPECT~CLONE	If you wish the merge to take place in a third schema rather than in the leading schema, this method enables you to create a new schema before the merge.
Method: IF_CRM_ERMS_CATEGO_CATEGORY~MERGE	Merges categories
Business Add-In: CRM_ERMS_CATEGO_OBJECT_BADI	Merges object links. For an overview of the objects that can be merged as standard, see Import Categorization Schemas.
Interface: IF_CRM_CATEGO_OBJECT_BADI	Supports the import and merging of categorization schemas.
Authorization object: CRM_CATEGO	You can define authorizations for these functions with the activities Merge and Import.

For more information about the various functions, see the system documentation for the objects listed above.

After the merging of two schemas, the new merged schema has the status Draft.

Errors that occur during the merge process are recorded in a merge log.