Solution Categories Reference
Solution Categories (Reference): Categories provide metadata labels for organizing and classifying objects throughout your solution. They enable filtering, grouping, and standardization across all configuration tables.
Access: Solution → Categories
Categories User Interface
Category Definition Table
| Name | Category identifier | Text | Yes |
| Description | Purpose and usage | Text | No |
| Color | Visual indicator | Color picker | No |
| Icon | Associated symbol | Symbol selector | No |
| Parent | Hierarchical parent | Category reference | No |
| DefaultSymbol | Auto-assigned symbol | Symbol reference | No |
Category Properties
| Enabled | Active for assignment | Checked |
| Visible | Shows in filters | Checked |
| Priority | Sort order | 1-999 |
| Scope | Where applicable | All/Specific modules |
Category Types
System Categories
Pre-defined categories:
| System | Platform objects | Yes |
| Template | Template instances | Yes |
| Imported | Import wizard items | Yes |
| Plugin | Plugin objects | Yes |
User Categories
Common organizational patterns:
| Functional | Pumps, Valves, Motors | Equipment type |
| Location | Building_A, Floor_1, Area_North | Physical location |
| Process | Intake, Processing, Output | Process stage |
| Priority | Critical, Important, Standard | Importance level |
| Department | Operations, Maintenance, Engineering | Responsibility |
Using Categories
Assignment Methods
| Direct | Object properties | Category dropdown |
| Bulk | DataGrid selection | Right-click → Set Category |
| Import | Import wizards | Category mapping |
| Template | Template definition | Inherited by instances |
Filtering by Category
| DataGrids | Column filter | Show only selected |
| Asset Tree | Category view | Grouped display |
| Cross Reference | Category filter | Scoped search |
| Reports | Category parameter | Filtered data |
Category Hierarchy
Parent-Child Structure
Equipment
??? Rotating
? ??? Pumps
? ??? Motors
??? Static
? ??? Tanks
? ??? Vessels
??? Instruments
??? Temperature
??? Pressure
Inheritance Rules
| Symbol | Child inherits if not set | Pump uses Equipment symbol |
| Properties | Not inherited | Each has own color |
| Assignment | Can use parent or child | Tag can be "Equipment" or "Pumps" |
Symbol Association
Default Symbols
Categories automatically assign symbols:
| Motors | Motor.svg | New motor tags |
| Valves | Valve.svg | New valve tags |
| Sensors | Sensor.svg | New sensor tags |
Symbol Rules
| Category has symbol | Uses category symbol |
| Parent has symbol | Inherits parent symbol |
| No symbol defined | Uses default tag symbol |
| Multiple categories | Uses first with symbol |
Best Practices
Category Design
DO:
- Define before creating objects
- Use consistent naming convention
- Create logical hierarchies
- Document category purpose
- Associate relevant symbols
DON'T:
- Create too many categories
- Use overlapping categories
- Change after widespread use
- Delete without checking usage
Naming Conventions
| Equipment | Type_Subtype | Motor_AC, Valve_Ball |
| Location | Level_Area | F1_North, B1_Storage |
| Process | Stage_Number | Stage_01, Stage_02 |
| Priority | P_Level | P_Critical, P_Standard |
Integration
Module Usage
| UNS Tags | Organization and filtering |
| Devices | Channel and node grouping |
| Alarms | Priority classification |
| Historian | Data categorization |
| Displays | Symbol assignment |
| Reports | Data filtering |
Troubleshooting
| Category not visible | Disabled or hidden | Check Enabled/Visible |
| Symbol not applying | No default set | Configure DefaultSymbol |
| Can't delete category | In use | Check usage first |
| Filter not working | Wrong scope | Verify category scope |