VESCON GmbH offers training which comprises four hours of comprehensive practical knowledge on the Material Data Manager at our Frankenthal location. The sessions start at 1.00 p.m.

We offer two training courses for manufacturers:

Course 1

• Structure of MDM: Data pool and structure node view
• Approval lists, project approvals and universal approvals
• Records and data fields
• The importance of order numbers
• Who can create MDM records?
• Requests and tasks
• Reports in MDM
• The MDM as a source of information

Dates in Q4:

• 17.10.2018
• 14.11.2018
• 05.12.2018

Course 2

• Data management with the Excel import function
• Features for mass data processing
• Special manufacturer area for personal devices lists and copy suggestions for universal approvals
• MDM catalog articles

Dates in Q4:

• 24.10.2018
• 21.11.2018
• 12.12.2018

Participation is free for device manufacturers who have premium status. If you would like to register for one of the course, simply drop us a line at mdm(at)vescon.com.

VESCON GmbH offers training which comprises four hours of comprehensive practical knowledge on the Material Data Manager at our Frankenthal location. The sessions start at 1.00 p.m.

We offer two training courses for manufacturers:

Course 1

• Structure of MDM: Data pool and structure node view
• Approval lists, project approvals and universal approvals
• Records and data fields
• The importance of order numbers
• Who can create MDM records?
• Requests and tasks
• Reports in MDM
• The MDM as a source of information

Dates in Q1 and Q2:

• 03/13/2019
• 04/03/2019
• 05/08/2019
• 06/05/2019

Course 2

• Data management with the Excel import function
• Features for mass data processing
• Special manufacturer area for personal devices lists and copy suggestions for universal approvals
• MDM catalog articles

Dates in Q1 and Q2:

• 03/20/2019

• 04/10/2019
• 05/15/2019

Participation is free for device manufacturers who have premium status. If you would like to register for one of the course, simply drop us a line at mdm(at)vescon.com.

Due to the high demand, we have been focusing our training concept even more strongly on the special requirements of suppliers and machine builders since the beginning of the year.

In addition to integrating practical exercises and a focus on "parts lists/universal approvals", the training now comprises 2 units of 6 hours each. Currently, we offer 2-3 training courses per month. The positive feedback from the participants shows that the new concept has proven itself.

Due to the high demand, we have been focusing our training concept even more strongly on the special requirements of suppliers and machine builders since the beginning of the year.

In addition to integrating practical exercises and a focus on "parts lists/universal approvals", the training now comprises 2 units of 6 hours each. Currently, we offer 2-3 training courses per month. The positive feedback from the participants shows that the new concept has proven itself.

We will be more than happy to advise you in detail and design a two-day training course especially tailored to your needs based on the following content:

• Functionality, user groups and permissions
• Usability and user interface
• Search, filter, group - where can I find approved articles
• Workflow features - what to do if articles or approvals are missing
• Editing parts lists in the MDM
• Inquiries and support - Your contact
• Using the MDM interface - EPLAN P8 CAD system

Scope

• two-day training course with 2 units of 6 hours each
• up to 10 participants
• Training materials in paper and PDF format
• Feedback discussions following the training course
• Certificates for each participant
• Training dates according to your request

Aim of training

Participants learn to master all the basic functions of the Material Data Manager. The focus is on the optimal procedures from the machine supplier's point of view. At the end of the training course, the participants will be able to prepare an error-free parts list in the Material Data Manager.

 Your benefits from in-house training

•  Savings potential compared to open events
•  Personal advice from our experts on your premises
•  Holistic approach and practical relevance – the content learned can be applied simply and effectively in everyday work
•  The exercises can be completed using your data/parts lists         

Cost

We offer our in-house training courses at the following flat rates depending on the location (Basis: Frankenthal):

Would you like more information? We will be happy to advise you a no obligation and free of charge offer. You can reach us on +49 (0)6233 6000-999 or via email at mdm(at)vescon.com

New: Maximum efficiency with EPLAN P8 and MDM.

Benefit from our insider know-how!

There are many stumbling blocks on the way to documentation before it is accepted by an operator. We will show you how to avoid them and how to optimise your processes – from EPLAN P8 to MDM.

Benefit from our extensive know-how in all requirements of the delivery process. We are not only experts on the MDM but also have many years of experience with EPLAN and know the standards and regulations (e.g. specifications of Daimler or Bosch AS

Our services

• Analysis of your processes
• EPLAN P8 system analysis
• Preparation of a catalogue of measures taking into account the OEM-specific requirements (specifications)

Your advantages

• Savings potential by avoiding ineffective working methods
• Savings potential by optimising your EPLAN environment
• Personal consultation from our qualified experts
• Holistic approach and practical relevance

Would you like more information? We will be happy to advise you a no obligation and free of charge. You can reach us on +49 (0)6233 6000-999 or via email at mdm@vescon.com

PS We also offer you extensive know-how about EPLAN - from basic training to expert workshops. Get in touch with us!

We will be more than happy to advise you in detail and design a two-day training course especially tailored to your needs based on the following content:

• Functionality, user groups and permissions
• Usability and user interface
• Search, filter, group – where can I find approved articles
• Workflow features – what to do if articles or approvals are missing
• Editing parts lists in the MDM
• Inquiries and support – Your contact
• Using the MDM interface – EPLAN P8 CAD system

Scope

• two-day training course with 2 units of 6 hours each
• up to 10 participants
• Training materials in paper and PDF format
• Feedback discussions following the training course
• Certificates for each participant
• Training dates according to your request

Aim of training

Participants learn to master all the basic functions of the Material Data Manager. The focus is on the optimal procedures from the machine supplier’s point of view. At the end of the training course, the participants will be able to prepare an error-free parts list in the Material Data Manager.

Your benefits from in-house training

• Savings potential compared to open events
• Personal advice from our experts on your premises
• Holistic approach and practical relevance – the content learned can be applied simply and effectively in everyday work
• The exercises can be completed using your data/parts lists

Cost

We offer our in-house training courses at the following flat rates depending on the location (Basis: Frankenthal):

 Would you like more information? We will be happy to advise you a no obligation and free of charge offer. You can reach us on +49 (0)6233 6000-999 or via email at mdm(at)vescon.com

While working with parts list sooner or later the term „Universal Approval“ appears. May be it is not possible to forward a request for a new device, because an Universal Approval exists, or the plant operators or VESCON refer to an Universal Approval.
 
Below we want to introduce you in the concept and operating principles of Universal Approvals.

What is an Universal Approval?

By an Universal Approval multiple devices can be approved in a MFL or in a project (e.g. series of article-types of a manufacturer).

An Universal Approval can only be defined by the OEMs.

An Universal Approval can be defined by a simple masking or by a RegEX masking.
Universal Approvals have a direct effect on the parts lists check. The following data fields of the parts lists are checked and mapped with the definition / masking of the Universal Approval:

• Manufacturer (Import)
• Order number (Import)
• Article-Typ (Import)
• Denomination (Import)
• Norm (Import)

The purpose is to get approvals for devices in parts list, which are no „MDM devices“.

Devices with wildcards or placeholders in the order number are not an Universal Approval, but dummies without any relevance.

In data tables / lists the Universal Approvals are displayed with their ID in angle brackets without a version number (e.g. <30076>).

The Benefit of Working with Universal Approvals

Although the understanding of Universal Approvals and the first steps of their usage may be a little bit tricky, the benefit of their usage for suppliers will be evident very soon. Parts list entries are approved immediately, if they are hedged by an Universal Approval.

• No request for „New Devices“ or „Project Approvals“ is necessary.
• No time is waisted by the workflow of forwarding and processing the requests

This means: Universal Approvals save time and effort.

Where can Universal Approvals be found?

Universal Approvals are definitions of approvals and thereby listed in your project in the tab „Approvals“. Tips:

• MDM-IDs of Universal Approvals are displayed in angle brackets (e.g. <30076>)
• Fade out in the tab „Settings / Filter“ all records with the type „Device“ and the type „Device Group“ or filter in the column “MDM-ID” for „<“.

Manufacturer specific Universal Approvals

By using manufacturer specific Universal Approvals many requests can be saved (see above).

Finding the matching Universal Approval:

Go in your project in the tab „Approvals“.

• Fade out in the tab „Settings / Filter“ all records with the type „Device“ and the type „Device Group“.
• Now the wanted manufacturer can be filtered or grouped.

Usually manufacturer specific Universal Approvals are simple masked. This means that the following placeholders / wildcards in the order number are used:

• * for any number of characters
• ? for one character
• additional characters are allowed in the masking but will not be regarded in the mapping.

Universal Approvals for Standard Parts

Universal Approvals for standard parts are usually manufacturer independent (entry in the field “manufacturer”: “manufacturer independent”). So the manufacturer in the parts list can be freely chosen and has no relevance.

Also the order number is usually without relevance (entry in the filed “order number”: “*”). So the order number in the parts list can be freely chosen and has no relevance.

The identification and mapping of devices in the parts lists runs by the following fields:

• Article-Typ
• Denomination
• Norm

In these fields normaly RegEX maskings are used. Particularly the field „Article-Typ“ can contain complex expressions.

Don’t be afraid of these expressions - in the field “technical description” they are usually outlined very well. In the web many reasonable and coherent explanations of “RegEX” can be found.

Universal Approvals and EPLAN The five masking fields of the Universal Approval can also be filled and mapped by EPLAN. The parts lists fields „Denomination (Import)“ and „Norm (Import)“ are filled by the EPLAN „Free Article Properties“ 96 and 98.

 Example:

Universal Approvals are addressed in our Inhouse-Trainings.

Benefit from our insider know-how!

There are many stumbling blocks on the way to documentation before it is accepted by an operator. We will show you how to avoid them and how to optimise your processes – from EPLAN P8 to MDM.

Benefit from our extensive know-how in all requirements of the delivery process. We are not only experts on the MDM but also have many years of experience with EPLAN and know the standards and regulations (e.g. specifications of Daimler or Bosch AS 

Our services

• Analysis of your processes
• EPLAN P8 system analysis
• Preparation of a catalogue of measures taking into account the OEM-specific requirements (specifications)

Your advantages

• Savings potential by avoiding ineffective working methods
• Savings potential by optimising your EPLAN environment
• Personal consultation from our qualified experts
• Holistic approach and practical relevance 

Would you like more information? We will be happy to advise you a no obligation and free of charge. You can reach us on +49 (0)6233 6000-999 or via email at mdm(at)vescon.com

P.S. We also offer you extensive know-how about EPLAN – from basic training to expert workshops. Get in touch with us!

If your requested „New Device“ is a production component, please keep in mind the following items:

• In the field „Name“ please enter „Production Component“.
• In the field „Denomination“ please enter your name of the device.
• In the field „Technical Description“ please enter the following information:
• Please repeat the denomination of the device.
• Please add the technical data which differentiate the device from devices with the same denomination.
• Please add an advice to protected documents concerning ISO 16016 (old: DIN 34) if necessary.
• Please enter the drawing number / file name which leads to the machine documentation
• Construction drawings must not be loaded up, if they are marked by a proprietary notice. All documents must be delivered separately at the end of the project.

With the update to MDM version 2.2, we have started to adapt the MDM in such a way that particularly compute-intensive processes can be outsourced to other servers. For MDM users, this means that they can continue working normally after starting a corresponding feature. A status message appears at the bottom right edge of the MDM when starting and closing the application. 

The processes are entered and processed in a “job list”. Every user can check the status of their jobs in this list. Depending on the type of job, users can jump from the job list to the result. The view can be found under “View – Jobs”.

By delegating out computationally intensive processes, we can relieve the load on the main server, which in turn benefits performance. In the first step, the following processes were separated:

• Importing parts lists (Excel, Eplan and RUPLAN)
• Checking parts list again
• Status report for parts lists

At the end of August, a further update to MDM version 2.3 was carried out to switch further processes and all evaluations to this new system.

• Import catalogue items
• Cyclic “Document/URL Check”
• Reports

Importing parts lists

When importing a parts list, an entry is created in the job list. The user receives a notification at the bottom right-hand corner when the import begins and ends.

Please note: After the import no more notification mails will be sent. Since version 2.4, a request to the operator to check the parts lists is made directly on the parts list (mark the relevant parts list and select the function “Request check of parts list”). Don’t forget to select “Edit on”)

Check parts lists again

The feature “Check parts list again” is also carried out via the job process.

Please note: After the parts list check has been completed, the “Parts list summary” is not automatically updated. To do this, leave the “Parts lists” tab and open it again. Another new feature is that several parts lists can be selected and checked at once.

Please note: Large-scale checks have a low priority in the job list and can take longer.

Reports

When a report is started, an entry is created in the job list. The result of the report is automatically displayed in the report window when the job is finished. If the user changes the edit window while the report is being generated, the result can only be accessed via the job list. The result is available to the user via the job list for 10 days.

The MDM plug-in must be reinstalled for 32-bit versions.

As of MDM version 2.2, the paths of the EPLAN MDM plug-in are separated into 32 and 64 bits. The path of the 64-bit version corresponds to the path previously defined for all versions (..\MDM\Plugins\Eplan2\..). This means that there is no change for 64-bit versions.

For the 32-bit EPLAN versions (2.3 and 2.4 32 bit) the script must be registered with a changed path (..\MDM\Plugins\Eplan2_x86\...). in Eplan P8 (Utilities / Run script / ...).

If you have any questions or problems, please contact the MDM hotline.

Writing the technical description back to EPLAN without status and approval information     

As of MDM version 2.3, when writing the “Technical Description” back to the EPLAN parts, the MDM ID, the status and the approval information are no longer attached (e.g. [MDM ID:  4765 - V2.0] Approval missing / disabled). Current information can only be found in the MDM parts list.

As of MDM version 2.3, the MDM manufacturer names are entered in the “Manufacturer (import)” field for the spellings of manufacturers configured in EPLAN. This ensures that the error “Manufacturer not found” can be corrected by the user if the spelling in EPLAN differs.

• This results in the following advantages for the user:
• if parts are not available, the correct manufacturer name is displayed
• when requesting “new part” from the parts list, the correct manufacturer is already shown in the request form
• thanks to consistent manufacturer names, the hit rate is higher for universal approvals

EPLAN and universal approval

Universal approval cannot be linked in EPLAN because they are not parts data records but merely release definitions. If the manufacturer's EPLAN notation previously did not match the MDM notation, the manufacturer could not be recognised in the parts list check and thus existing universal approval for these parts could not be assigned. “The manufacturer’s own notations” were not taken into account in this case because there was no link to a data record (see online help “Defining own spellings”).

When sending the parts list to the MDM, the system now always searches for “manufacturer’s own notations" and replaces the EPLAN notation with the MDM manufacturer name defined there. In future, manufacturer-specific universal approval will thus be recognised, even if the EPLAN manufacturer notation in the parts database does not match the MDM notation.

The new GDPR also affects VESCON’s daily work with the MDM. For example, we increasingly check whether personal data is available in data sheets. As it must be assumed that permission to pass on this data has not been granted, all personal data must be made unrecognisable. Otherwise these documents cannot be accepted.

Explanatory data sheets must be uploaded for new parts in the MDM. Documents or drawings are often marked with a protection or confidentiality notice (e.g. secrecy or patent rights). As such documents are available to all MDM users, they cannot remain in the MDM. If possible, please use only documents and data sheets without a protection notice. VESCON checks in the request “New part” whether data sheets with a protection notice are used and removes them if necessary.

The following applies for production drawings with protection notice (production parts):

No data sheets need to be uploaded to the MDM if they have a protection notice.

Please structure the technical description as follows:

• Repeat the part notation
• Supplement technical data distinguishing part data sets with the same designation
• Reference to protected documents according to ISO DIN 16016 or DIN 34
• Drawing numbers/file names used to find the documents in the machine documentation.

In general, small PDF files that only describe the part should preferably be uploaded. Please do not upload full catalogues. The data sheet should contain the order number used or an order number key. If you insert a hyperlink, please make sure that the link leads directly to the specific part.

Whereas in the past, the second digit of the MDM version number was only incremented for larger updates, this number is now incremented for each feature change. For example, the first update to outsource the processes was given the MDM version number 2.2 and the last update to complete these services was given the version numbers 2.3 and 2.4.

As of this year, the Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH (formerly ZF Lenksysteme) has been using the MDM to create and manage material approval lists as well as to support their processes with new machinery and equipment. What makes it so special: Bosch Automotive uses the same MDM database as Daimler.

Both companies access the current part data sets simultaneously. Part manufacturers can check in the MDM for the use of their parts by Bosch Automotive and Daimler centrally.

The Bosch Schwabisch Gmund location will use the MDM initially. After focusing on the structure of the material approval lists in the past months, the first projects will now be managed via the MDM. Later, the MDM will then also be used by other locations.

Tip: To change the provider in MDM use the "Change provider" feature in the "File" menu. From the menu, select the structure root "MDM" from (Record Manager users have this privilege). This allows you to switch quickly between providers to the tree view.

Multiple use of existing data sets by Bosch Automotive has no commercial impact.

Do you keep a list to document with which other providers your products are listed parallel to the MDM? If so, the new "Part Manufacturer Lists" are just the thing you need. VESCON has set up a separate area for every premium manufacturer where other structures can be created. All users defined as "Record Manager" can create desired parts lists in this area and assign their MDM data to these lists.

Each record manager can only view their own area. As these lists are not globally visible, permissions for other users must be assigned via the "Quick Administration" feature to enable them to access the lists (e.g. read only).

Further options for Publishing/Distributing these data are:

Token

A key (token) can be generated in the "Token" tab for each data set list with which the MDM user receives limited read only permission for these data lists.

Shopping Basket

Start the Shopping Basket via "View Basket" (Hold the Ctrl key to open a separate editing window). Enable "Edit" n the shopping basket and drag the desired data per drag-and-drop from the list into the basket. The data in the basket can then be saved as an XML file.

Excel Export

The export to Excel feature can be found in the "Table Settings" ribbon in the "Assigned Records" tab.

The "*Parts Lists Parts Manufacturers*" can be found in the tree view by selecting the "MDM root via the "Change Provider" feature.

Use of the "Parts Manufacturer Lists" is free to all parts manufacturers who have premium status.

Please note:

These lists are not approval lists within the meaning of MDM, and the allocated parts are not shared records. These links are not listed in the "Navigation" but are instead found in the "MFL and Special Approval".

The new tab "Catalogue Item" in "Parts Manufacturer incl. corresponding data". You can import any records to your portfolio in this tab using the "Import Catalogue Item" feature. The imported catalogue items are allocated to existing MDM data sets using identical order numbers.

Once these have been allocated, the catalogue items can be compared with existing MDM data. Please note that all relevant data fields in the MDM record will be overwritten by the catalogue data.

Catalogue items are structured via the "Type/Series" list field. If the MDM standard fields are not sufficient for your purposes, you can define your own data fields for the catalogue items.

MDM users can access stored catalogue items via the "New Part" request.

Please note:

These data are not MDM parts with an MDM ID and cannot be shared, for example. This feature is available to premium manufacturers; catalogue items are free of charge.

This feature helps to improve data quality when requesting new parts. For more information about catalogue items, please consult the online help. In the second half of 2016, we will handle catalogue items in training sessions.

We have added a host of new features to the MDM in the past few months that parts manufacturers can greatly benefit from. For this reason, we will split the MDM training content from the second half of 2016 into two courses:

Course 1: Basic Features

• General use
• MDM data and order numbers
• Relation between MDM data and parts list
• Who requested/added data?
• Workflow features
• Reports

Training dates:

• Wednesday, 14 September
• Wednesday, 12 October
• Wednesday, 16 November
• Wednesday, 14 December

Place and time: VESCON in Frankenthal, from 1:00 p.m.

Course 2:

• Advanced Features
• Modules > Catalogue data
• Parts manufacturers lists
• Importing data with Excel

Training dates:

• Wednesday, 21 September
• Wednesday, 19 October
• Wednesday, 23 November
• Wednesday, 21 December

Place and time: VESCON in Frankenthal, from 1:00 p.m. These courses are free for parts manufacturers who have premium status. To register, please send an email to mdm@vescon.com.

During daily operation of the MDM and data management, we have increasingly realised that users can use the features of MDM more efficiently. We would like to offer you support in this area and thus highlight another three points or relationships.

Relationship between order numbers, MDM data, parts list and editing order numbers

The order number in MDM data is of central importance in MDM. On the one hand, it serves to clearly identify the relevant part and therefore must be unique for each MDM manufacturer.

On the other hand, the order number is also used to establish a relationship between imported parts lists and MDM data. These links can be represented for example by performing a "Parts Used" analysis.

If an order number is subsequently changed, the link to the parts list can be lost. In addition, further changes can lead to CAD parts lists being suddenly displayed with different order numbers.

If specific order numbers (parts data) are changed into dummy order numbers, these sets of data can no longer be used for parts lists checks. Thus, the specific parts of the machine manufactures must be requested again. Changes to order numbers should only be made if the order is obviously wrong.

Universal approval and types of data sets

There are two different types of data sets in MDM: Parts and modules. Data set types as a system-supported data type do not exist.

If however in MDM a data set is created with a corresponding placeholder in "Order Number" field, (e.g. xyz*), it can be shared by the provider. However, these data cannot be used in the parts list checks.

If you have any families of parts that should not to be included in the MDM as a detail data set, these can be covered by "Universal Approval". In such cases, please contact the respective provider so that the universal approval can be set for all relevant approval lists.

You can display your universal approval via the "MFL and Special Approval" analysis.

"Add Part" request - who needs these parts?

A wide range of machine construction companies are now managing numerous projects with the MDM. It is thus understandable that not all the parts needed in these projects can be found in MDM. That is why the respective companies request more than 30 parts daily so that they are included in the MDM.

These data sets are assigned "temporary" status and are shown in orange. VESCON regularly reviews these newly requested data sets to ensure a minimum quality standard. At the same time, the respective contact person of the provider also has the data for their approval.

If you want to know who has requested data about your portfolio, you can check this via the MDM. Simply go to a list of records and show the column "Generated by".

Once the request has been approved, you will receive a "General Task" as information that a new data set for your portfolio has been approved. This tasks is connected with the request to complete the data set.

Finally, at the end of our information paper, we would like to briefly give you a peek behind the scenes: currently, about 8,000 users are registered in the MDM. In 2015 alone, more than 12,000 requests were made for new parts, of which about 8,500 were included in the MDM. These parts have received at least one project approval (special approval) through the request process. In addition, more than 8,500 parts lists were uploaded for the corresponding machines or systems in the MDM last year.

These figures on the intensity of use show that the MDM is increasingly becoming an important tool for project execution among companies and users. This is motivation for us to continue improving the MDM.

VESCON offers training which comprises four hours of comprehensive practical knowledge at our Frankenthal location.

Save the date: future dates for device manufacturers.

We offer two different courses tailored precisely to the needs of device manufacturers:

Course 1:

• Structure of MDM: Data pool and structure node view
• Approval lists, project approvals and universal approvals
• Records and data fields
• The importance of order numbers
• Who can create MDM records?
• Requests and tasks
• Reports in MDM
• The MDM as a source of information

Dates

1. Q1: 08.02.2017, 01.03.2017, 29.03.2017
2. Q2: 10.05.2017, 21.06.2017

Course 2:

• Data management with the Excel import function
• Features for processing mass data
• Special manufacturer area for personal devices lists and copy suggestions for universal approvals
• MDM catalog articles

Dates

1. Q1: 15.02.2017, 08.03.2017
2. Q2: 05.04.2017, 17.05.2017, 28.06.2017

All courses begin at 1.00 p.m. Register now for your requested course and date at: mdm(at)vescon.com

Participation is free for device manufacturers who have premium status.

Save the date: future dates for suppliers.

Our comprehensive course provides hands-on expertise tailored specifically to suppliers:

Content:

• Functionality, user groups and permissions
• Usability and user interface
• Search, filter, group - where can I find approved articles
• Workflow features - what to do if products or approvals are missing
• Inquiries and support - Your contact
• Using the MDM interface - RUPLAN CAD system
• Using the MDM interface - Eplan P8 CAD system

Dates

1. Q1: 14.02.2017, 14.03.2017
2. Q2: 05.04.2017, 17.05.2017, 28.06.2017

All courses start at 1.00 p.m.

Register now

VESCON offers training which comprises four hours of comprehensive practical knowledge at our Frankenthal location. Sign up now and benefit from our specialists’ expert knowledge.

Save the date: future dates for device manufacturers.

We offer two different courses tailored precisely to the needs of device manufacturers:

Course 1:

• Structure of MDM: Data pool and structure node view
• Approval lists, project approvals and universal approvals
• Records and data fields
• The importance of order numbers
• Who can create MDM records?
• Requests and tasks
• Reports in MDM
• The MDM as a source of information

Dates

Q3: 13.09.2017

Q4: 11.10.2017, 08.11.2017, 06.12.2017

Course 2:

• Data management with the Excel import function
• Features for processing mass data
• Special manufacturer area for personal devices lists and copy suggestions for universal approvals
• MDM catalog articles

Dates

Q3: 20.09.2017

Q4: 18.10.2017, 15.11.2017, 13.12.2017

All courses begin at 1.00 p.m. Register now for your requested course and date at: mdm(at)vescon.com

Participation is free for device manufacturers who have premium status.

You wish, is our training: individual in-house courses for suppliers.

Need training directly at your location? On in-demand topics in your company? We will gladly conduct a training course based on your projects and requirements where you will learn all the basics.

We will be more than happy to provide you with a personal quotation. Please send inquiries to: mdm(at)vescon.com

Save the date: future dates for suppliers at VESCON in Frankenthal.

Our comprehensive course provides hands-on expertise tailored specifically to suppliers:

Content:

• Functionality, user groups and permissions
• Usability and user interface
• Search, filter, group - where can I find approved articles
• Workflow features - what to do if products or approvals are missing
• Inquiries and support - Your contact
• Using the MDM interface - RUPLAN CAD system
• Using the MDM interface - Eplan P8 CAD system

Dates

Q3: 12.09.2017

Q4: 10.10.2017, 07.11.2017, 05.12.2017

All courses start at 1.00 p.m.

Register now

Due to the great demand, we have developed a new, practice-oriented training concept for 2018 that is tailored exactly to the requirements of suppliers and machine builders. Participants learn not only the basic functions of the MDM but also the most efficient work methods for machine suppliers. After completion of the training, the participants will be able to prepare error-free parts lists in the MDM.

Optimal knowledge transfer: our in-house training at your premises.

Training couldn’t be simpler and more effective: We offer personal consultation and put together a 2-day training course that fits your needs precisely. Afterwards, our trainers come to your company and train your employees directly on site.

The benefits of our new training concept at a glance:

• 2-day training course (6 hours each) for up to 10 participants
• Personal consultation and individual preparation of content
• Practical exercises with your data/parts lists for greater and faster learning success
• Focus on parts lists/universal approvals
• Training materials in paper and PDF format
• You will receive certificates for each participant for documenting your staff development 

The individual training courses are based on the following content:

• Functionality, user groups and permissions
• Usability and user interface
• Search, filter, group – where can I find approved articles
• Workflow features – what to do if articles or approvals are missing (Requests for project approval, Request for a new device, Handling general tasks)
• Editing parts lists in the MDM (Importing parts lists, Errors in the parts lists and correcting them, Interpreting universal approvals and using them in the parts list)
• Inquiries and support – Your contact
• Using the MDM interface – RUPLAN CAD system
• Using the MDM interface – EPLAN P8 CAD system

• We advise you by phone and adapt the contents of the training to your requirements
• You tell us your preferred date and provide a training room with WiFi access.
• Our trainer comes to you and conducts the training
• A feedback session takes place when training is completed
• Your participants receive a qualified certificate of attendance

Unlike open training courses, an individual event at your company is more efficient. The learning success is

greater and the time your employees spend in training is less. We offer in-house training at the following flatrates depending on your location:

Base: Frankenthal

What is the fastest way to get documentation that the OEM can approve? We will show you how to avoid all

stumbling blocks. Starting from EPLAN P8 to the Material Data Manager, we explain the best process and help you to use your optimisation potential.

Benefit from our insider know-how:

We not only offer you extensive know-how when it comes to EPLAN and MDM, we are also very familiar with standards and regulations, such as the specifications of Daimler and Bosch AS. Benefit from our insider knowledge about all requirements involved with the delivery process!

Our services:

• Analysis of your processes
• EPLAN P8 system analysis
• Preparation of a catalogue of measures taking into account the OEM-specific requirements (specifications)

Your advantages:

• Savings potential by avoiding ineffective working methods
• Savings potential by optimising your EPLAN environment
• Personal consultation from our qualified experts
• Holistic approach and practical relevance

In addition, we offer you extensive know-how about EPLAN – from basic training to expert workshops.

Would you like more information? We will be happy to advise you a no obligation and free of charge. You can reach us on +49 (0)6233 6000-999 or vial email at mdm(at)vescon.com

Fundamentals:

To upload parts lists to the MDM, you need write permissions for the relevant structure node in the project structure. These rights are not assigned by VESCON GmbH but by the responsible OEM user or supplier manager via the Quick administration.

Parts lists can be uploaded directly from EPLAN P8 (via the MDM interface), RUPLAN or Excel. The license for the MDM interface must be activated for EPLAN P8 (free of charge). The form for activation can be found on our homepage www.materialdatenmanager.de. The Excel template for the parts list import is generated directly by the MDM.

Uploading parts lists:

We recommend that you upload the parts lists to the MDM as early as possible. This way, the extensive testing options in the MDM can be optimally used for processing the project. If a parts list still has a status of in progress, please ignore the link for notifying the operator and remove the status of “valid” for the parts list.

Basic functions and possible errors in the parts list:

When importing the parts list, the individual parts list entries are assigned to the MDM data pool. To do this, a search for the specified manufacturer is first conducted (“Manufacturer (Import)” field in the parts list. Alternative notations are also taken into account for this search (see also “View manufacturer with accompanying data”).

The parts list devices are then searched for in the data pool of the respective manufacturer using the fields “Order number (Import)” or “Article-Type (Import)”. Only if a parts list entry can be assigned to an MDM data record does the system check whether this device has been released for the project. No MDM device data record is required for a universal approval. The approval check is carried out using the following parts lists fields:

• Manufacturer (Import)
• Order number (Import)
• Article-Type (Import)
• Standard (Import)
• Denomination (Import)

Depending on the configuration of the universal approval, the contents of the “Manufacturer (Import)” field are ignored. Universal approvals can be found in the “Approvals” tab of your project.

 After uploading and checking the parts lists, call up the parts list entries in the MDM. The corresponding errors are displayed in the “Parts list check result” column. Further information is displayed in the “MDM Id assignment info” column. For “OK: device is approved” entries, no other actions are required.

ERROR: Manufacturer not found:

Cause: The description in the field "Manufacturer (Import)" could not be found in the MDM (field "Name" and "Variants of notations"). (see also "View manufacturer with accompanying data")

Solution: Check your notation and adapt it to the MDM notation. Request new manufacturer by using the "Request new manufacturer" feature (please do not request dealers).

Device not found:

Cause: The device was not found in the MDM data pool based on the contents of the "Order number (Import)" field or "Article-Type (Import)" field of the respective manufacturer.

Solution: Check the order number in your parts list:

• Is the order number entered complete (e.g. leading zero)?
• Does the order number entered correspond in structure to existing records in the MDM?

If the device is not present in the MDM, request it with the "New device" request (see separate guide for this process). Special characters and spaces are ignored during the search!

ERROR: Invalid MDM ID:

Cause: The MDM Id (Import) is not in the MDM.

Solution: Remove the MDM Id in the source system and upload the parts list again without the MDM ID.

Order number missing:

Cause: The order number is missing in the "Order number (Import)" column.

Solution: Enter the order number in the source system and upload the parts list again.

Device not unique in MDM:

Cause: A parts list entry cannot be uniquely assigned to an MDM device (double record in MDM).

Solution: Please contact support via email: mdm@vescon.com. Please insert a screenshot with the message and the device data (MDM Id) in the mail.

Device not approved:

Cause: The device used in the parts list is found in the MDM but is not included in the project-specific approval list.

Solution: Submit a "Request approval for project"

Universal approvals and parts list check:

In MDM, entire type series can be approved independently of device data records (e.g. for standard parts). This is done by a universal approval. Project-relevant universal approvals can be found in the "Approvals" tab of your project. The approval check for parts list entries is performed by masking the "Manufacturer","Order number","Article type", "Standard" or "Denomination" fields.

Submitting requests from the parts list:

The parts list check makes it clear which devices are not yet available in the MDM or for which devices approvals are not yet available. The relevant requests can be submitted very efficiently based on the parts list entries accessed.

Request for new device - Error "Device not found":

How to proceed:

• Mark the parts list entry with the "Device not found" message (not by "OK: device not approved")
• Select the "Tasks / Requests" ribbon (recommendation: right, in the parts list area)
• Select "Request new device"
• Complete subsequent mask (Request, Manufacturer, Order number, Techn. descr., Document). Please pay attention to the quality of the data as the request will be subjected to a quality check.
• Submit request

By submitting a request for a "New device", a request for project approval is submitted simultaneously.

Request for project approval - Error "Device not approved":

How to proceed:

• Mark the parts list entry with the message "Device not approved" (only if an MDM record has been assigned)
• Select the "Tasks / Requests" ribbon (recommendation: Centre, structure nodes area)
• Select "Request approval for project"
• Drag and drop the unapproved records (please add a maximum of 20 parts per request) to the subsequent mask (Request).
• Complete "Remark for task" (reason why the devices are needed)
• Submit request If the request is required for multiple machines, please select the superimposed structure in the project tree and note this in the remarks for the request.

Check parts list again

If project approvals have been added, the parts list must be checked again so that these new approvals are taken into account in the “Parts list check result” column.

Grid configuration in records

Set the order and visibility of the columns to suit you best. The grid configuration can be found in the ribbon “Settings / Filter”.

Excel parts lists

Create a directory on your computer where you can save the imported Excel parts list. This enables you to make changes to the parts list more quickly.

Working with two or more editing windows

By working with multiple editing windows, you can jump faster between individual editing steps, similar to the Internet browser with multiple tabs. You can open an additional editing window by pressing the [Ctrl] key. Press and hold the key, and then select the desired view.

Accessing request approvals in a structure-related manner

In the “Task” view, select the ribbon “Structure-related”. Then select your project (“Select” feature, first button on the left).

The EPLAN P8 interface was changed in the last MDM version so that Eplan assemblies can only be transferred to the MDM once they have been resolved. The advantage: “Dummy assemblies” can now be processed when editing the EPLAN.

There is a new column “assemblies / Module (Import)” in the MDM parts list. The order number of the assemblies or module is copied to this field.

In a second development step, we will also transfer Eplan modules to the MDM in a resolved form (date still pending). 

In recent months, a number of changes and new features in the Task area have been released which were designed to make working with the MDM more efficient. The key points below at a glance:

Request for new device - two requests with one click.

When a user makes a request for a new device, a request for project approval is generated at the same time. While the request for new device is being edited by the VESCON MDM Team, the request for project approval will be assigned to the contact person of the associated structure node.

Please note: The request project approval can only be edited by Bosch AS or Daimler, if the request for a new device has been processed by VESCON. Prior to this, VESCON will perform a quality check of the request, according to the following criteria:

• Has a manufacturer been selected?
• Does the order number match the system used in the existing data?
• Is a data sheet available?
• Does the technical description provide sufficient information?

Should the data need to be revised, VESCON will send the request back to the sender. To resend the request to VESCON once it has been revised, simply use the "Send back to recipient" feature.

Only after VESCON has completed the request by marking it as "Done" will the status of the associated request approval be changed from "Waiting" to "In progress (Recipient)" and the OEM can issue approval for a device. If the request is rejected, all related records will be deleted from the MDM.

New task "Inquiry" - you simply cannot know everything after all.

The "Inquiry" task type makes further communication about an existing task in a parallel process possible. This is useful when a third party should not be directly involved in the primary process. By using the inquiry function, for example, it is possible to ask the device manufacturer whether an alternative device is available.

A general task, you cannot reject.

The "General task" task type is used to find information about new devices or deleting temporary records from parts lists, among other things. We removed the reject feature from this task type as it never involves a request. This type of task can thus only be finished.

The "Finished" status was removed but reading is still required.

Previously, workflow for rejected requests sent back to the sender for informational purposes, had to have the "Finished" status. We have removed this "Finished" status. Rejected requests are still sent back to the sender for informational purposes, but are no longer in the standard filter "Open tasks" when they have been "Read".

Communicating using tasks via protocols and recipients

With the release of MDM Version 2.1, VESCON has significantly expanded communication through tasks. The major change is that we have split the "In progress" status. This makes it clear whether the recipient or the sender is currently editing a task.

A blue icon next to the user name in the navigation menu is now available. It lets users send a task for editing back to the sender or resend it to the recipient. In the subsequent dialogue, comments on the next step can then be entered.

The recipient of a task can add more recipients who can edit the task (finish or reject it). Recipients of a task can delete their name from the list of recipients, provided additional recipients are entered in the list.

What you should know: All of these actions are documented in a protocol entry.

Task filter - keep track of everything.

A large number of requests and tasks are handled daily via the MDM. It is important to see all open tasks. The "Open tasks" standard filter makes this possible. This setting displays all tasks that are assigned to the user for completing or serves for information purposes.

Tips:

Never work in the "All tasks" tab. Instead, always work in the specific task-type tabs (e.g. Project approval). There is where further information about the tasks can be found in the table.

• Edit the grid configuration settings so that you can see the information you need where you need it.
• If there are multiple recipients of a task and you have not edited this task, delete yourself as recipient of the task.
• Complete rejected tasks (which reason has been entered in the protocol?)
• Compete General tasks

Call up structure-related tasks - which tasks have been created by colleagues?

Another new feature is that now tasks can be accessed according to a structure node. To do so, go to the Tasks area and select the project structure in question in the "Structure-related" ribbon (do not forget to refresh!).

To access tasks related to a structure, the corresponding user must have the "Responsible Node Manager" (OEM) or "Responsible Supplier Manager" (supplier) permission.

Only requests of the type project approval will be displayed in the structured-related representation. Should a request have "Waiting" status, this means that the related process "Request for new device" has not yet been completed and the request can therefore not be processed.

Recommendations for completing a task - so that processes run more smoothly.

• Please pay attention to the quality of data for "Request for new device"! This will prevent multiple editing of data
• If you submit a request and have open tasks (task type New device or Project approval), you must first edit the open tasks to receive approval for your projects.
• OEM users should only reject a request for project approval if the device is not intended for use. For inquiries, poor data quality or other similar issues, please use the "Send back to sender" feature. When doing so, please note: Suppliers only have write rights to "their" temporary data. Active records cannot be edited by suppliers.

When a request to include a new part in the MDM is made, VESCON checks the quality of the data. If the data is insufficient or inaccurate, a request for revision is sent back to the author.

Once the quality check has been successfully completed by VESCON, will the request be approved by the operator (Daimler or Bosch AS). It is therefore important for users to know which criteria are important.

The following areas will be assessed by VESCON:

Manufacturer:

Always select a specific manufacturer. If the manufacturer in question is not yet in the MDM, please request for it to be added with request “New manufacturer”.

Please note: Dealers are not included as a manufacturer in the MDM

Tip: Pay attention to proper writing. The list of manufacturers can be found in the MDM under View - Component Manufacturer including related data.

Order number:

The order number is a very important information in the MDM. Please refer to the existing, manufacturer-specific writing of order numbers.

Examples:

Please note: Ensure that the order number is complete and that the part can be clearly identified and ordered. Order numbers with xxx or * which thus cover several parts are not allowed.

If the fields "Manufacturer" and "Order number" are red, this means that this part already exists in the MDM. Please request a project release using the existing data set.

Technical description:

Each user should be able to immediately recognise the type of part and key parameters from the field “Techn. description”.

Please do not use any project-specific information or marketing texts. Please refrain from using abbreviations (exception: units of measure).

If the machine is to be delivered in the German-speaking countries, a technical description will be expected in German. The multilingual data fields are available for other languages (please click on the "Technical description" button).

Data sheet :

A data sheet is available for further information on the part. Please upload as a PDF in the smallest file size possible which describes only the part. Please do not upload full catalogues. The data sheet should contain the order number used or an order number key.

The data sheet is checked to determine whether it matches the selected manufacturer and part.

Please avoid links to the Internet.

If you insert a hyperlink, please make sure that the link leads to the specific part.

Tips for processing tasks:
Should VESCON determine the quality of data for the request is insufficient after conducting a quality check, the request is returned with a comment to the author (sender) for revision. The request status will be changed to “Pending (sender)”.

The sender can find all open tasks in the task view.

After the request has been revised, the data record must be sent to VESCON again (blue icon next to the recipient’s address).
If the request is no longer current, you can cancel it.

Approval of the data set for the parts list by the operator takes place after the quality check has been successfully completed.

Grid configuration record lists - so the most important thing is always displayed first.

Devices and information about them are commonly displayed in MDM in lists. However, the information (columns) the user needs at a particular moment is not always displayed at the beginning of lists. This can be changed using the "Grid configuration" feature in the "Table settings" menu. The columns can be hidden in the view and the order of the columns shown can be changed.

The order of the columns can also be changed directly: simply move the desired column with the mouse per drag & drop to the desired location. The settings are saved for each user and each list.

Oops: I can't find my approvals list.

Machine builders and suppliers who access their approval information in the material approval lists, may sometimes no longer be able to find their approval list. In such cases, usually the permissions have been changed by the respective OEM to make it possible to work in the project structure in the future.

If this is the case, look in the project structure in question as to whether your project is shown or get in touch with your systems operator contact person.

Searching and finding devices or where is the data pool?

It's an every day task of projects: Devices needed for construction are not found under approval. Before the user make a request for a "New device", it helps to look in the data pool.

You can conduct a search for all devices in the "All devices" view. If you conduct a search there for an order number, the article type and order number data fields will also be searched. Please note that this information is often used and recorded differently (e.g. see the manufacturer Rittal. The order number is always purely numerical). A filter above the "Order number" column in the record lists is thus often not productive.

Before you make a "New device" request, it helps to directly consult the manufacturer (View "Manufacturer with accompanying data") for the proper notation of the order number.

Increasing file size when uploading files to parts lists.

With the update to the MDM at the beginning of July, we increased the file size for a file upload to a parts list from 30 MB to 100 MB.

This change also affects automatically uploading circuit diagrams using the Eplan interface.

Task management: additional recipients.

If an “Additional recipient” has been added to a task in the past, this person only had limited permissions.

This was changed by an update earlier this year. Now the “Additional recipient” has the same permissions for a task as a standard user.

MDM interface to the Eplan version 2.6.

Eplan version 2.6 contains some changes that required adaptating the MDM interface. These changes were successfully implemented and the the MDM interface has now also been released for Eplan version 2.6.

You will find additional information about what's new in the online help in the chapter “What’s new?”:  http://onlinehilfe.materialdatenmanager.de/DE/index.html ?

When is the data set status “incorrect” used and what influence does this have?

A data set is assigned the status “Incorrect” if it is a duplicate data set, a dummy data set or an obvious wrong entry, i.e whenever the data set cannot be used in the MDM and checking the parts list.

Incorrect data sets are not taken into account when the parts lists are checked. Thus, if a specific data set is erroneously set to the status “Faulty”, the MDM data set will not be found in the parts list and the machine builder has to request this part again.

My requests for project approval have been approved, but why hasn’t the part been released in the parts list yet?

If the parts are accessed with a parts list, they will not automatically be checked against current releases. Thus, the  errors displayed may not be based on the current state of the data. In order to see the current status of the parts list, the function "Verify part list" has to be performed

A part is no longer found in the parts list. Why?

After re-checking a piece list, a part is no longer found (error: Part not found). This can occur when an order number has been changed (for example, because it was incorrectly stored in the data set).

In such cases, please adjust the order number in your parts list.

Why are the so few manufacturers in the approval list? Is that really all of them?

In an approval list, only some of the part manufacturers can be found, only those approved for the respective project with their special parts. At present more than 2,400 different manufacturers have been entered in the MDM (as of July 2017). Sll manufacturers are listed under “View - part manufacturers including related data”.

Task view: keep track of everything.

The default filter in the task view is defined so that only the tasks currently being processed are displayed for the logged-on user.

In specific terms, this means tasks with the task status “Pending (xxx)”, “Completed” or “Rejected” are displayed.

Tasks with the status “Completed” and “Rejected” are set to the “Read” status when opened. This will prevent them from being displayed when the Task view is refreshed. This “Read” status can also be set for several tasks simultaneously.

The journal PLM IT Report briefly reported about our MDM. It was also the story on its front page with the headline: One source, one software, one plattform.

Unfortunately the story is only in german. If however somebody is interested, you can find the digital edition here (link) and of course on our website of the VESCON Group (link).

VESCON holds regular MDM training courses at the Frankenthal site to convey comprehensive practical knowledge within just 4 hours. The courses always start at 13:00 h.

Forthcoming dates:

For device manufacturers: 04.06.2014, 02.07.2014, 06.08.2014, 17.09.2014

Registration: t.groening(at)vescon.com or mdm(at)vescon.com (for premium manufacturers free of charge)

For suppliers: 26.06.2014, 31.07.2014, 25.09.2014

Registration: Registration form

VESCON holds regular MDM training courses at the Frankenthal site to convey comprehensive practical knowledge within just 4 hours. The courses always start at 13:00 h.

Forthcoming dates:

NEW! Workshop for plant operators only: 30.10.2014

Registration: b.adler(at)vescon.com or mdm(at)vescon.com (for plant operators free of charge)

For device manufacturers: 17.09.2014, 22.10.2014, 12.11.2014

Registration: t.groening(at)vescon.com or mdm(at)vescon.com (for premium manufacturers free of charge)

For suppliers: 25.09.2014, 23.10.2014, 27.11.2014

Registration: registration form

We are continuously working on making MDM even more user-friendly and efficient. Here are some of the improvements which have been implemented in the last few weeks:

• Speed optimization (Devices Cache)

• Parts list import: additional functions and improvements - Onlinehelp

• As the search for devices had frequently lead to the impression that the search results consisted of approved devices only, the search was transferred into the area "All devices". - Onlinehelp

• Leafing through the views of device details has become easier now: The detail window has no longer to be closed before the next device from the shown list can be displayed.

• Adding new documents is now possible already within the function "Request new device".

• Parts lists can now be entered in the MDM with all details (incl. BTM code number).

• In addition to the parts lists the circuit manual can now be stored as a pdf-file (presently still limited to 30 MB)

For further information on improvements and new functions, please, refer to our online help system, chapter "What's New?"

We are continuously working on making MDM even more user-friendly and efficient. Here are some of the improvements which have been implemented in the last few weeks:

Shopping cart: Via the view "shopping cart" the user can compile device data in a list. This list can be filed and reloaded. For further information, please, refer to the online help system.

New Eplan P8 interface 2: This function will be released in the next MDM version! VESCON has completely revised the existing Eplan interface and provides the MDM users with both the new and the old version. The major differences between the new and the previous interface:

• The mapping function no longer writes the MDM information into the Free properties of the Eplan article data, but uses the standard Eplan fields. It describes exclusively the articles stored in the project but not the master data (article database)

• All article data are transferred to the MDM in a parts list, even if no MDM file has been allocated in Eplan via the mapping function

• The parts list is represented in the MDM with the respective device tags

• The Eplan documentation corresponding to the parts list is uploaded as a pdf file

• As soon as a project/MFL is assigned, an article preselection scheme is automatically created (approved articles)

Please note: VESCON will not continue further development of the Eplan interface!.

Presently, far more than 20,000 device records related to more than 800 component manufacturers are stored in the Material Data Manager. Yet it happens almost every day that data needed for current projects are still missing.

For such cases, the MDM system possesses the request function "New device". Via this function the addition of missing devices and their data can be applied for - in the past 12 months alone about 2,000 requests for new devices have been made in this way.

The following aspects have to be considered when making a request:

• Before activating the request function you should make sure that the required device is really not existing in the system by checking the entire data pool - including the device data not yet approved. To do so, please, move to the view "All devices" and enter the corresponding search text. Caution: The standard setting of the search result list hides locked data. Alternatively, you may also search devices directly under the manufacturer in the view "Device manufacturer including associated data", via the tab "Devices".

• The request can be activated from any view. Depending on the respective view, data may already be preallocated (e.g. the structure node for which the device is needed)

• If an Excel parts list import has been carried out, you can make requests for any data which have not been found in the MDM system. Before you do so, however, you should check for the reason why the data have not been found in the MDM. In fact, this may be due to different ways of spelling the name of the manufacturer or the order numbers.

• When filling in the data fields in the request form, please make sure that the correct manufacturer is selected in the field "Manufacturer". If the respective manufacturer does not exist in the list, you have to make a request for the new manufacturer first.

Please enter detailed information into the corresponding mandatory fields, so that the device can be clearly identified and valuated.

The contents of the following data fields are transferred to the parts lists via the CAD interface:

• Manufacturer
• Order number
• Article type
• Technical description

• The data field "Remark on the task" facilitates the communication between the sender and the recipient of the request. The information entered in this field is not visible in the record, but can only be read in the task view by the respective persons.

• Data sheets which are supposed to be added to the record can either be directly attached to the request or entered later when editing the record. The sender may edit "his" records as long as the status of the record is "temporary".

• In the request form an MFL or a project element has to be selected from the structure view. By doing so, you define the recipient of the request. Please mind that a request cannot be made for any element.

• The requests are received by the OEMs who are allocated to and responsible for the respective structure node. The recipient may accept or reject the request. If the request is rejected, the temporary record will be deleted from the MDM - even if it has already been used in the CAD system or in parts lists!

If the device is accepted, the OEM can flexibly select the place where the record is supposed to be approved (either in a project structure or an MFL). It is always the structure node selected by the sender that is preset for approval.

• Forward requests: The recipient of a request may forward the task to another structure node for direct handling or add another recipient to the task. Caution: If a further recipient is supposed to be added, you have to check if he is authorized to deal with this task.

• Rejected requests have to be finished in the MDM by the sender for confirmation.

• In the task view senders and recipients can see at any time which requests have already been dealt with and which ones are still open.

• After the approval of a request premium manufacturers will receive a general task in the MDM with the information that new records have been integrated into the system.

In the project structures not only parts lists from the CAD systems RUPLAN and Eplan P8, which are automatically transferred into the MDM via the respective interfaces during the parts lists analysis, but also Excel parts lists can be uploaded manually into the MDM.

In today's newsletter we would like to describe this function in detail.

For the Excel parts list import we need a clearly defined fixed Excel data format with column headings and particular mandatory fields in order to assign the columns.

Creation of an Excel template: In the tab "Parts lists" you can find the function "Save import template". The column headings of the created Excel file always bear the addition "(Import)" in order to allow the distinction from the actual MDM data at a later point in time.

Please note: Even exported device data which have been created during the Excel export in the tab "Table settings" can be imported as a parts list on condition that during the export the option "Parts list import Format" has been selected (mask Excel export, area Formatting / Columns).

Mandatory fields/columns 

The following mandatory data are needed in the Excel file for the import into MDM:

• Manufacturer
• Order number
• Number (Number must be greater than zero and only whole numbers are to be used, e.g. "15,0" is not allowed)

Please, edit only the columns with the ending (-Import) in the column heading.

Who can import - Mail to import: The user has to be authorized for the respective structure node or the structure node above in the following way (Tab Quick administration, OEM or supplier):

Read/write or Manager. If you are not authorized, please, apply to your OEM contact partner or use the application form "Request rights".

As the import may take some minutes, the user will be informed by mail as soon as the parts list is available in MDM.

The imported parts list is represented in the MDM with the corresponding meta data. A large part of these data is generated automatically.

They include, for example:

• Created on / created by
• Number elements
• Number without MDM ID

A double click on the parts list record opens the corresponding detail mask and further information for identifying the parts list data can be added (e.g. Project).

In the MDM a separate parts list is generated for each Excel spreadsheet. Thus it is possible, for example, to import several parts lists with one Excel file. The name of the spreadsheet is transferred into the name of the parts list in the MDM.

Checks after import: After the parts list import the imported data are checked and it is attempted to establish a relation to the data files already existing in the MDM. The parts list record is assigned to the MDM record according to MDM-ID, manufacturer and order number or just according to manufacturer and order number.

The following error messages are possible:

• MDM ID <> Manufacturer / Order number: The combination of MDM-ID, manufacturer and order number in the Excel parts lists does not correspond to the combination of this data in the MDM in terms of content. (Please note: The version number of the record (e.g. V2.1) does not belong to the MDM-ID).

• Manufacturer not found: The manufacturer named in the imported parts list has not been found in this spelling. This check compares the name with the contents of the data field "Manufacturer's name" and the stored "Variants of notations" (see view Device manufacturers including corresponding data, Tab. Properties). Please note: special characters and blanks in the manufacturer's name are ignored in this check.

• Device not found: The combination of manufacturer and order number could not be found in the MDM. This means that this device does not exist in the MDM. In this check special characters and blanks in the order number are ignored.

• Device in MDM not unique: The combination of manufacturer and order number occurs more than once in the MDM. For this reason a unique assignment is not possible.

• Invalid number of devices: The number of devices in the parts list must be greater/equal 1: Number zero is not allowed. In the field Number special characters (e.g. comma or dot) or letters are not allowed.

Via the function "Reassign MDM ID in parts list" the check can be repeated manually at any time. This assignment takes place cyclically via all parts lists, even automatically on the server.

Tips for dealing with errors:

• MDM ID <> Manufacturer / Order number: Check the data in the Excel list or delete the MDM-ID in Excel

• Manufacturer not found: Move to the view Device manufacturers with accompanying data and check if the manufacturer exists in a different spelling (also use the filter option above the table of the manufacturers, e.g. *pho*). When you have found the manufacturer, please transfer the spelling to your Excel spreadsheet. If the manufacturer does not exist, you have to make a request via the function "Request new manufacturer". Please note: Dealers and distributors cannot be counted among manufacturers.

• Device not found: Check if the device exists in the MDM with the order number being spelled in a different way (data field Order number). Is, for example, a type number used as an order number or are there additional characters in the order number? If the record does not exist in the MDM, clarify with your OEM contact person if a request "New device" should be made. It is very easy to make this request out of a parts list.

• Device in the MDM not unique: Please contact the respective device manufacturer or VESCON and indicate the corresponding MDM-ID

• Invalid number devices: Insert in Excel how often the device has been used (in column Number(Import)). If a device has not been used, delete the entry from Excel.

Approval check: In the MDM the imported parts list can be compared to the approved devices. In this check the imported data are set against the approved devices of the respective structure node.

If there is no approval list (MFL) allocated to the structure node or the node located above in the structure, only the project approvals (special approvals) are valid.

Among others, the following information is issued during the check:

• Comparable type
• Successor
• Active
• In the MDM
• Approved

This check may also consist in a comparison to a "stored status". Via "Stored status" it is possible to "freeze" a certain status of the approved devices (e.g. status when ordered)

If there are non-approved data in a parts list, these devices can be requested for simply via the request function "Approval for project". Please note: It is only the OEM who has the option to create a "Stored status".

Import accompanying documentation as pdf: Via the function "Add document" (Tab parts lists) it is possible to allocate a pdf-document to a parts list. This is then supposed to be the accompanying documentation of this parts list (Please note: The size of the pdf-file to be uploaded is limited to 30 MB).

Unlike the views "All devices" and "Manufacturer with accompanying data" which show the complete data pool, the structure node view displays exclusively the OEM-specific approved device data. Another major difference between this view and the data pool is the fact that in the structure node view specific authorizations may be granted which do not allow the complete range of data lists to be accessed by the users.

The structure node view consists of three areas: Chapter, Material Approval Lists (MFLs) and Projects.

The chapter structure is used by the respective OEM to arrange his data according to a freely selectable hierarchical structure. The purpose of this overview is to sum up the devices under specific manufacturer-independent criteria. For the administration of the chapter structure report functions are available to display the records: either with no chapter allocation at all or with chapter allocation without approval. The data listed in the chapter structure are not to be confused with approvals. In the lists of the approved device data you can filter via individual chapters.

In the material approval area the respective OEM administers and manages his approval lists. For this purpose, there are various structural nodes available to him, with the lowest level always being a material approval list. The basic idea of the MDM is that in the MFL structure only the respective OEM is active and only premium manufacturers have access to these approval lists. This can be achieved quite easily via the corresponding configuration settings. (tab properties).

Our recommendation for current published MFLs:

• Globally visible: no
• CAD allocation allowed: no
• Request for device approval allowed: yes
• Request for new device allowed: no

If these settings are selected, the respective project structures for the suppliers have to be available.

In the project view the OEM can create any desired structure to arrange his current projects hierarchically. In this way, not only projects but also machines and their subsystems can be entered and managed in the MDM system. Via the quick administration function "Rights" any desired users can be allocated to the individual levels, with three OEM and three supplier rights profiles being available.

Each level can be linked with any desired number of approval lists. In the tab "Approved devices" the users can always see the devices from the MFL and project approvals (special approvals) applying to them. This offers the OEM the following options:

• A project applying to several sites can be entered for each of these sites - with access to the same MFL(s). Thus always the same devices are approved for each site and only one data source has to be managed.

• The OEM is far more flexible in the arrangement of the approval lists and project approvals, because he can assign any desired number of MFLs to one project structure node and the suppliers have to know only their project, but not the approval lists. Technology- and area-specific MFLs can be combined quite flexibly with basic MFLs in the project structure following a building block principle.

• Project-specific approvals can be granted directly in the respective project. Thus an additional "burden" on the approval lists in the form of so-called "exotics" is avoided.

In the tab "Parts lists" you can import the parts lists related to the respective structure node via the CAD interface (RUPLAN or Eplan) or via Excel import. This data is then compared with the valid approvals which facilitates the approval process.

The following table lists the basic configuration options of the structure nodes: 

Tips for the use of the structure view:

• Above the structure tree you can find a filter line. Entering a filter term here saves you from clicking through the structures. 

• Under File > Settings the user can select the display of the nodes' IDs. Thereby the respective IDs are displayed also in the structure view.

What do the colours of the device records mean?

White: active devices

Orange: temporary devices which are still in the approval process and may be deleted in case of rejection. Be careful when using them!

Red: locked devices which should not be used. To unlock records by premium manufacturers (records marked by a green dot), please contact the respective manufacturer (contact > right click on the record). With all other records, please send a short mail including the MDM-ID to mdm@vescon.com.

Further editing window:

When working with the MDM an additional editing window may be very helpful. You can open it simply by keeping the [CTRL] key pressed and at the same time clicking on the desired view. A tip which, by the way, also works for the search for devices: Keep the [CTRL] key pressed and click on the respective search button and instantly a new window will open displaying the search result.

Search for devices:

The search for devices (available in View>All devices) always happens in the data pool. Approvals are not considered in the result list, locked records can be made visible by the user via a separate function. Furthermore, when searching for MDM-IDs you can enter several IDs at the same time separating them simply by a comma.

Installation and automatic updates:

The installation of the MDM is done by unpacking a zip-file into a local directory. When unpacking the file, please make sure that the MDM folder structure is maintained. To carry out updates automatically and without problems, the following restrictions have to be considered:

• No installation on a shared drive or a network drive
• No installation into the directories C:\Program files or My documents, and not on the Desktop

Reactivating user account: Once a year VESCON checks by mail if the user is still reachable under his user name (e-mail address). If the user does not confirm this mail, his MDM account will be deactivated.

You may reactivate your account simply by mail to mdm(at)vescon.com; Ref.: Reactivation user account. A reactivation "on the phone" is not possible, as then the check of the mail address cannot be carried out.

Change password: In the MDM you can change the password in the menu File - Administration. Especially when you have used the function "Lost password", this option is recommendable.

The new password has to comply with the following standards:

• Minimum length of the new password is 8 characters

• The new password must not be identical with the user name

• The new password must not be identical with the last 12 passwords that were assigned

The new password has to fulfil at least three of the following requirements

• contains capital letters
• contains small letters 
• contains numbers
• contains special characters

If a device is missing: For this case, the workflow "Request new device" can be used.

Please note: If the device manufacturer is not existing in the MDM, you have to request for the manufacturer first. Distributors and resellers will not be accepted as manufacturers.

What our MDM developers are working on.

A new Eplan interface for even more comfort: 

• The use of the Eplan standard fields for the MDM data contents
• Transfer of parts list information into the MDM, even if no MDM-ID is existing in the Eplan article
• Addition of EDZ-Files to the records in the MDM and import in Eplan

New status "Erroneous"

As in many cases the status "Locked" is not precise enough , the new status "Erroneous" will be introduced. Records identified as erroneous can neither be approved nor used in the CAD system. Erroneous data are e.g.: double records or entry errors.

In cooperation with Daimler, area Powertrain, VESCON is in the process of defining functions which allow an improvement of the data storage in the fields of mechanics and fluid technology. The target is to be able to manage also the data related to these fields via the MDM.

Universal approval

A universal approval allows the option of defining a simplified approval of device types and groups in approval lists or in projects (e.g. a complete series of a cable type or a valve series) Thus you can check also items of a parts list for which no corresponding devices exist in the MDM.

Components

A component is a record in the MDM which any number of further records can be allocated to. In the component record a universal order number is defined. If in the MDM parts list a component appears, this record can be broken down into all its individual underlying order numbers and displayed in the MDM.