Classification rules
Rules for classifications are applied by the system.
Classification hierarchy
Classifications can become only more restrictive at each subsequent level of the hierarchy.
- Global classifications can have child classifications that are global, customer specific, or a mix of both.
- Customer-specific classifications can have only child classifications that are customer-specific. Descendant classifications can be associated with a customer, if the customer-specific parent classification is associated with that customer.
Example
A customer-specific classification cannot have a global classification at a lower level in the classification hierarchy. The same set of customers becomes more restrictive.
Associating classifications with customers
You can associate a classification with a customer if the same customer is associated with the parent classification, or if the parent is a global classification.
Example
If you associate Customer 4 with IT or HARDWARE or DESKTOP COMPUTER, Customer 4 is automatically associated with the IT or HARDWARE parent classification.
Removing classification associations with customers
If you remove a customer from a customer-specific classification, that customer is removed from all descendant classifications.
Example
You remove Customer 2 from IT or HARDWARE. Customer 2 is automatically removed from all descendants of IT or HARDWARE.In this example, the IT, or HARDWARE or DESKTOP COMPUTER or VIDEOCARD customer-specific classification has no customers who are associated with it. The classification did not automatically become a global classification. A user with a security profile that is based on customer settings, and the ability to see all customer records, cannot see this classification.
Attribute associations
For customer-specific classifications, if you associate a customer with an attribute, you must first associate the customer with the classification for that attribute.
Example
IT or HARDWARE or PRINTER is associated with Customer 1, Customer 2, and Customer 3. Customer 2 and Customer 3 are associated with the classification and the WEIGHT attribute.If you want to associate another customer to the WEIGHT attribute, you can select only Customer 1. Whereas that Customer 1 must be associated with the classification that is not associated with the customer-specific attribute.
Removing attribute associations
If you remove a customer association from a customer-specific classification, that customer is removed from any customer-specific attributes of that classification.
Example
IT or HARDWARE or PRINTER is associated with Customer 1, Customer 2, and Customer 3. You remove Customer 2. Customer 2 is removed from the WEIGHT attribute.