Object Numbering

This section describes various object numbering characteristics and differences between Windchill PDMLink and your ERP system.

The minimum and maximum lengths, as well as the character makeup of object numbers in Windchill versus SAP, differ. These differences may cause failures or erroneous results when publishing objects from Windchill PDMLink to SAP. The differences can be characterized for each object type (Parts, BOMs, Documents, Process Plans, Sequences, Operations, Process Materials, Equipment, CNs) handled by Windchill ESI.

WindchillObject Type	GUI and Database Out of the Box Maximum Field Length	GUI and Database Out of the Box Typical Field Length
Parts	40 characters	10 characters - all numeric
Documents	32 characters	10 characters - all numeric
Change Notices	32 characters	5 characters - all numeric
Process Plans	40 characters	8 characters
Sequences	40 characters	6 characters
Tooling	40 characters	18 characters
Process Materials	40 characters	18 characters
Operations	No limit	4 characters
Control Characteristics	40 characters	10 characters

For object types other than Operations, the applicable field in the above table is Number. For Operations however, it is Label.

The discrepancies between Windchill and SAP for these field length differences can be compensated in Windchill, in the Windchill EAI components, or in a combination of both systems. For default Windchill and SAP, the following lists where the information is located:

• For information on how to limit field lengths in Windchill PDMLink, refer to the instructions in the Windchill Customizer’s Guide.

• For information on how to set up auto-numbering in Windchill PDMLink, refer to the instructions in the Windchill Administrator’s Guide.

If Windchill PDMLink or your ERP system has been customized, these documents provide guidance on how to compensate for these field length differences.

• The auto numbering properties are controlled by the Object Initialization Rules Administrator. There is a unique property that enables or disables auto numbering for each object type. Use the following as an example:

wt.enterprise.GeneratedIdentificationObject.ChangeOrderGenerator.number.format=WFN-ECN{GEN\:wt.enterprise.SequenceGenerator\
:WTCHANGEORDERID_seq\5\:0}