Linking custom fields to categories
Configure custom fields for your asset categories and start enjoying a more streamlined asset management experience today!
At Shelf, we're committed to providing our users with the tools they need to streamline their asset management processes effectively. That's why we're excited to introduce a powerful new feature: the ability to link custom fields to categories.This means that custom fields will now dynamically appear based on the category assigned to an asset, ensuring that you only see the relevant information when you need it most. Let's delve into how this feature can revolutionize your asset management experience.
Why link custom fields to categories?
- Improved relevance: By linking custom fields to categories, users can ensure that only the most relevant information appears when creating or editing assets. This streamlines the data entry process and eliminates unnecessary clutter.
- Better organization: Categories are a fundamental part of organizing assets within our platform. By associating custom fields with specific categories, users can maintain consistency and coherence in their asset management workflows.
Benefits
- Efficiency: Users can focus on relevant information without being overwhelmed by unnecessary fields, speeding up the asset management process.
- Accuracy: By ensuring that only pertinent fields are displayed, the likelihood of errors or omissions is significantly reduced.
- Customization: Organizations can tailor their asset management workflows to suit their specific needs, promoting efficiency and consistency across the board.
Example scenario
Let's consider a scenario where you manage two distinct categories of assets: "Office Equipment" and "Tools." For the "Office Equipment" category, you may have custom fields such as "Purchase Date" and "Maintenance Schedule," crucial for keeping track of office essentials.
On the other hand, for the "Tools" category, fields like "Tool Type" and "Last Calibration Date" are essential for ensuring that your equipment remains in optimal working condition.
How it works
Configuring custom fields to align with specific asset categories is now simpler than ever. Administrators can effortlessly associate custom fields with designated categories when configuring custom fields.
When users create or edit assets, they'll notice a dynamic display of custom fields, depending on the category of the asset. This functionality ensures that irrelevant fields remain hidden, allowing for a streamlined and focused data entry process.
- Go to Settings > Custom fields
- Create or Edit a custom field
- Toggle Use for select categories
- Select the cateogry for which you want to use the custom field
- You can use the custom field for multiple categories by clicking Add another category
- Save or Create the custom field
The configured custom field will dynamically appear when creating or editing an asset after specifying the category of the asset.
Data preservation
Additionally, it's important to note that when you change an asset's category, the values of custom fields previously attached to that asset remain securely stored in our database. This means that even if you switch to a different category and later revert back, your custom field data will be retained, ensuring continuity and preserving your valuable information. Furthermore, these custom field values are included in database backups and exports, providing an extra layer of assurance for data integrity and peace of mind.
