IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management, Version 11.3

Adding category hierarchies

Category hierarchies are hierarchy trees in which each node is a category entity.

A hierarchy can contain multiple levels. Some hierarchies are created so that each node has only a single parent (hierarchy tree). Others, typically consumer hierarchies, can have nodes with multiple parents (directed acyclic graph).

Category hierarchies can be used to classify products. One or more category hierarchies can be set up, each for a different purpose, so that the products can be organized and viewed under different classification schemas.

Category hierarchies also have attributes associated with them, namely category attributes and product-category attributes. Product-category attributes provide the ability for products to assume product attributes specific to the categories in which they have been classified.

Using the Product Maintenance UI, you can perform the following tasks:

Search category hierarchies and view a list of hierarchies matching the search criteria
Create, maintain and view category hierarchical structure
Create, maintain and view categories and view category spec use and product category spec attributes
Create, maintain and view category relationships
Create, maintain and view category admin system keys
Create, maintain and view category spec uses

Using the Product Maintenance UI, you can add a category hierarchy with a root category with the option of adding additional categories.

After adding a category hierarchy, the new category hierarchy is assigned a unique identifier, called a Category Hierarchy ID, to ensure that it is unique within InfoSphere® MDM. After the category hierarchy is added to InfoSphere MDM, you can maintain the category hierarchy record by adding categories, and category relations. You can also correct errors, or modify the details for this category hierarchy, categories, category relationships, and any of its associated information.

The new category hierarchy is added to the database and a unique category hierarchy ID is assigned. Now this category hierarchy can be updated or searched for if required.

After you have added the category hierarchy details you can add localized content for the category hierarchy in multiple languages.

The following tables explain the fields to complete as part of adding a category hierarchy to InfoSphere MDM.

Table 1. Category hierarchy information fields
Field name	Description
Hierarchy Name	Indicates the name given to the category hierarchy. This is a required field.
Hierarchy Type	The hierarchy type of the category hierarchy. This is a required field.
Description	Specifies a description about this category hierarchy.
Start Date	Indicates the date on which this category hierarchy was created. This is a required field.
End Date	Indicates the date on which this category hierarchy is no longer active.

Table 2. Add Root Category information fields
Field name	Description
Category Name	Indicates the name given to the category. This is a required field.
Category Code	Indicates the code associated with this category.
Category Description	Specifies a description about this category.
Is Root Parent	Indicator that stipulates that this category is the root parent.
Is Categorizable	Indicator that stipulates whether this category is categorizable or not. This is a required field.
Start Date	Indicates the date on which this category hierarchy was created. This is a required field.
End Date	Indicates the date on which this category hierarchy is no longer active.

Table 3. Add New Category information fields
Field name	Description
Category Name	Indicates the name given to the category. This is a required field.
Category Code	Indicates the code associated with this category.
Category Description	Specifies a description about this category.
Is Leaf Node	Indicator that stipulates whether this category is a leaf node or not.
Is Categorizable	Indicator that stipulates whether this category is categorizable or not. This is a required field.
Start Date	Indicates the date on which this category hierarchy was created. This is a required field.
End Date	Indicates the date on which this category hierarchy is no longer active.

Table 4. Category relationship information fields
Field name	Description
Relationship	Specifies whether the category you are working with is the parent or the child. This is a required field.
Category Id	Indicates unique category id of the category included in the relationship. This is a required field.
Category Name	Indicates the category name of the category to include in the relationship with the selected category.
Start Date	Indicates the date on which t the category relationship was associated with the product. This is a required field.
End Date	Indicates the date on which this category relationship is no longer active.

Last updated: 27 June 2014