The Instance Administrator defines and configures Asset/Material Types, which enable InfraLink to manage the nomenclature and inventory of Assets purchased, stored, shipped, installed and maintained throughout a project lifecycle. The Asset Type, a required Asset Model attribute, defines a collection of similar Asset Models that, in some scenarios, may be used interchangeably. The Administrator determines how narrow or broad the Asset Type definitions are during configuration. Typically, an Asset Type represents a group of Models that:

• Can be used to perform the same or substantially similar functions; and
• Have the same configuration parameters (e.g. length, weight, current rating, screen resolution, indoor-outdoor rating, etc.)

This article covers the following topics related to the Asset/Meterial Types dictionary:

Creating an Asset/Material Type

To create a new Asset / Material Type:

1. From the top-level navigation toolbar, select the Main Menu.
2. Select Manage Asset / Material Types from the Materials Management stack.
   1. This opens the Manage Asset / Material Types grid view.
3. Existing Asset/Material Types are listed in the center of the grid view.
   1. Note: Review, filter, search the existing Types before creating a new Asset/Material Type to prevent duplicate/overlapping entries.
4. To create a new Asset/Material Type, select New from the top of the grid view.
5. This opens the New Type form.
   1. Enter a clear and concise Name for the new Asset/Material Type
   2. Select the appropriate Asset Category (i.e., Consumable or Trackable).
   3. Enter a Description for the new Type.
6. Select OK at the bottom right corner of the form.
7. The new Type now appears within the Manage Asset / Material Types grid view.

Editing Asset/Material Types

To edit a new Asset / Material Type:

1. From the top-level navigation toolbar, select the Main Menu.
2. Select Manage Asset / Material Types from the Materials Management stack.
   1. This opens the Manage Asset / Material Types grid view.
3. Existing Asset/Material Types are listed in the center of the grid view.
   1. Apply filters or search, as necessary, to locate the desired Asset/Material Type.
4. Select the desired Asset/Material Type.
5. Select Edit from the top of the grid view.
   1. This opens the Edit Type <Name> form.
6. Modify form field values as necessary.
7. Select OK at the bottom right corner of the form.

Deleting Asset/Material Types

To edit a new Asset / Material Type:

1. From the top-level navigation toolbar, select the Main Menu.
2. Select Manage Asset / Material Types from the Materials Management stack.
   1. This opens the Manage Asset / Material Types grid view.
3. Existing Asset/Material Types are listed in the center of the grid view.
   1. Apply filters or search, as necessary, to locate the desired Asset/Material Type.
4. Select the desired Asset/Material Type.
5. Select Delete from the top of the grid view.
   1. Infralink will issue a warning, "Are you sure you want to delete selected entry?"
6. Select Yes to delete the Asset/Material Type.

Asset Custom Fields

Asset Custom Fields are defined globally at the Instance level by the Administrator. Asset Custom Fields support a wide range of data types (e.g., text, numeric, date/time, file upload, etc.) and may include both optional and required data fields. Required data fields are always denoted with an asterisk (*).  The Administrator may use Custom Field validation rules and default values, and Custom Fields may also have custom behaviors (e.g., hidden, read-only, optional, required) based on the Asset Status. 

For Trackable Assets, Custom Fields can be assigned at the Type or Model levels.  However, when a new Asset is entered into InfraLink, editing is permitted only within the Custom Fields set at the Type level.

• Custom Fields configured at the Type level will apply to all Assets within that Type. For example, an Asset Type “IP Camera” has a Custom Field for “MAC Address”. Each IP Camera entered into InfraLink
• as an Asset will have a unique MAC address. That information will be entered into the designated Custom Field when each IP Camera Asset is created and tracked at the individual Asset level.  
• Custom Fields configured at the Model level will have values that are shared across all Assets of that same Model. For example, if the custom fields "Diagonal Dimension" and "Max Resolution" are associated with the "Computer Monitor" Asset Type, and the particular Model, “Dell "E2316H" has those Custom Fields defined as “23 in" and “1920 x 1080”, respectively, all Assets of that Model will inherit those defined values.  
  • Note: Values specified at the Asset Model level are not copied to the individual Asset records. However, they will be displayed as read-only (unless hidden) on all Asset views, including grids, details, and create/edit forms, and they are available as filtering criteria.

For Consumable Assets, Custom Fields can only be configured at the Model level. This is because the Model of a Consumable Asset fully defines that Asset. There is no distinction between items or batches of a Consumable Asset.

To configure Asset Custom Fields:

1. From the top-level navigation toolbar, select the Main Menu.
2. Select Manage Asset / Material Types from the Materials Management stack.
   1. This opens the Manage Asset / Material Types grid view.
3. Existing Asset/Material Types are listed in the center of the grid view.
   1. Apply filters or search, as necessary, to locate the desired Asset/Material Type.
4. Select the desired Asset/Material Type.
5. Select Custom Fields from the top of the grid view
   1. Note: Depending on the size of your display or open panels, you may need to use the expansion (double arrow) drop-down menu.