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 Engineering Change Number

Definition

Folder object used in the engineering change collaboration process to manage the change process. Depending on its status, the engineering change number (ECN) can either represent an engineering change request (ECR) or an engineering change order (ECO).

Use

You use this object type in a collaboration to manage and monitor requests for changes to a folder object from your external collaboration partner. You can attach objects that have been created in cFolders or objects that have been imported from SAP ERP. ECNs only support documents, bills of material, materials, and MPNs. You assign the objects that are involved in the change request to the ECN, and can use redlining and versioning to make and review the required changes. It is possible to assign multiple objects to one ECN. However, it is only possible to assign an object to a second ECN after the first ECN has been released.

Structure

An ECN has the following attributes:

  • Change reason

    You can specify the reason for the requested change

  • Change description

    You can provide details about the changes to be made.

  • Change owner

    It is mandatory to assign a change owner. This can be the party who has requested the change or the party that is to implement the change.

  • Valid from

    This is the date from which the change is valid.

  • Change type

  • Change category

  • Priority

    The change type, change category, and priority are fields in the ECN XML file. You can define these according to your requirements.

  • Attachment

  • Linked objects

    You search for the object that you want to change by choosing the Add pushbutton on the relevant tab page and entering your search criteria. The system calls the Business Add-In (BAdI) CFX_SEARCH and returns a list of objects that you can assign to the ECN. For more information, see the Implementation Guide (IMG) in Customizing for Collaboration Folders under Start of the navigation path Business-Add Ins Next navigation step Filter Search Results End of the navigation path . When you assign an object, cFolders creates a new version of that object and locks previous versions.

For information about using ECNs in an engineering change process, see Engineering Change Collaboration .