Note
	The information in this section does not have to be taken into account when the catalog is first created. It is only relevant if the catalog has already been published as a CIP and it is likely that the catalog has been integrated into an ERP user's system.

Background information

Several of the CADENAS catalogs are also used in connection with an ERP system. In this case the parts of the catalogs were linked to the existing datasets of the customer’s inventory control system. If this is performed the first time, this procedure is also called “ERP initial load”.

As a rule, the last available CIP data status released by the manufacturer is used for the initial filling. This is delivered by CADENAS together with the ENTERPRISE 3Dfindit software, or can be obtained via PARTadmin -> Catalog update -> Online (see Section 1.4.3.1, “ Catalog update Online ” in ENTERPRISE 3Dfindit (Professional) - Administration ).

Once a catalog was installed into an ERP environment, numerous links and technical references were created. But often the catalog is extended at the same time, what means there were new products added, changed or removed by the decision of the supplier. Sometimes this affects only one size, but this also causes at least a table change. Also the supplier can change the whole folder structure because in the course of time new chapters and part families result and the structure must be adjusted e.g. to the Print catalog appearance.

At the end of all these changes the catalog will appear again as update on the above mentioned platforms and the end-user can install the new CIP catalog version on his environment. And he of course should do this, because also mistakes in the catalog data are resolved continuously.

In order not to lose the mentioned links and references during a catalog update in an already installed ERP system, several points have to be considered preventively by the catalog creator. These are explained in this section.

Since eCATALOG 3Dfindit V10 SP2, it is necessary to perform an ERP mapping check before each catalog CIP update and to enter the corresponding ERP mappings in PARTproject. Publishing without this mapping information is not possible. As soon as the command Upload changed files in directories/projects to the server [Upload changed files in directories / projects to the server] is executed under context menu command Version management [Versioning system], the dialog box Check ERP mapping [Check ERP-Mapping] is opened automatically. The corresponding setting is made under Edit project -> Tabbed page General -> Catalog settings [Settings for the catalog] -> Check ERP mapping when uploading [Check ERP-Mapping on upload] and should NOT be changed. (Alternatively, you can also use the context menu commands Add ERP mapping... [Add ERP-Mapping...] and Edit ERP mapping... [Edit ERP-Mapping...] can also be used).

This procedure additionally ensures compliance with this guideline and allows information regarding changed, converted and removed projects to be proactively transmitted to the ENTERPRISE 3Dfindit user / admin. All details are described under Section 6.10.2, “ Check ERP mapping (Add ERP mapping... and Edit ERP mapping...) ”.