Characteristic Values are similar to Property Categories in that they allow you to create a new section with a customized name and customized set of fields and data types for users to complete on the details page for an asset. Unlike property categories, characteristic values allow users to complete the form in the new section multiple times and save new data each time.

For example, you could create a characteristic value with a set of fields that captures daily temperature readings for a device or room. Your users could then enter readings with different dates and temperature values daily.

Custom Fields Using Characteristic Values for a Device

Characteristic values can also be used in other VertiGIS FM products that allow for hierarchical asset management.

Create a Characteristic Value

You can create characteristic values for an asset associated with any VertiGIS FM product on the Flexible Properties administration page (Administration > Master Data > Flexible Properties). Creating a characteristic value involves creating and naming it, assigning a subject to it, and then adding properties to it.

•The subject of a characteristic value is an additional grouping feature for readings or measurements stored in the characteristic value. You can create multiple subjects to capture multiple data readings within the same characteristic value. For example, you could create subjects in the Temperature characteristic value for readings in Celsius and Fahrenheit. You are not required to create multiple subjects. Even to record different data readings daily, only one subject is required.

•The properties in a characteristic value refer to the fields within the form and the type of data they store.

To Create a Characteristic Value

1.Navigate to the Flexible Properties administration page by clicking Administration > Master Data > Flexible Properties from any page in VertiGIS FM.

2.Expand the section for the VertiGIS FM product associated with the asset which you want to create the additional property.

3.Double-click the type of asset for which you want to store data using the new additional property.

4.Expand the Characteristic Values section and click the Add () icon.

5.Enter a name for the new characteristic value.

6.Click Save and Close.

When you've created the characteristic value, you can add subjects and properties to it. Both are required for the characteristic value to function on the details page for the asset.

Add a Subject to a Characteristic Value

1.In the Characteristic Values section, double-click the characteristic value you created, or select it and click the View Details () icon.

2.Expand the Subjects section on the characteristic value page and click the Add () icon.

3.Enter a name for the subject. It can be the same as the name of the characteristic value.

4.Click the arrow in the the Data Type menu. Select Text and click Apply.

5.Under Select List, click the Add () icon.

6.In the Name field for the list that opens, enter a description or instruction for the form.

7.Click Save and Close.

Add Properties to a Characteristic Value

1.Expand the Properties section on the characteristic value page and click the Add () icon.

2.In the Name text box, enter a name that describes the field.

3.In the Data Type menu, select the data type you want to assign to the field. This should correspond to the name of the field and what kind of information you want users to enter in it.

If you select Number from the Data Type menu, you may need to specify the unit in the Unit text box.

You can select the Mandatory Field check box if you do not want your users to be able to save values for any of the other properties in the form without completing this one. For example, you may not want users to be able to save a temperature without also submitting the date of the reading.

4.Click Save and Close.

You can repeat this procedure until your new characteristic value form has all the desired fields.

Properties Added to Characteristic Value

When you've created a characteristic value, added a subject to it, and added properties to it, users can complete the form on the details page for the asset.

Enter Data in a Characteristic Value Section

When you've created a characteristic value and added a subject and properties to them, users on the device or component details pages can add data to them.

Values for characteristic values are entered by editing the section with the name you gave the characteristic value on the details page for the asset.

To Enter Data in a Characteristic Value Section

1.Navigate to the details page for an asset for which you created the property category.

2.Ensure the section for the new characteristic value is visible on the details page. You may need to edit the section authorization and change the section to Visible. The name of the section on the section authorization page is the name you assigned the new characteristic vlaue.

3.Expand the section for the new characteristic value (for example, Temperature) and click the Further Process () icon.

4.Under the name you gave to the characteristic value, click the Add () icon.

5.Fill out the form fields in the characteristic value.

6.Click Save and Close.

You can enter additional data for the characteristic value by clicking the Add () icon below the subject name of the characteristic value.

Button to Add Another Set of Values

In this example, you could add a temperature reading for another date.

Fields to Add Additional Set of Values

Viewing Previously Entered Data

You must click Further Process () on the section with the name of the characteristic value (for example, Temperature) to view previously entered data. It is not visible on the view on the device details or component details page.

Characteristic Value Section View on Device Details Page