Service Objects
A service object is one particular device that you service: a specific inverter, a specific TV, a specific charger. Every repair order is about one or more service objects. Registering a device once means that when it comes back, you open the same service object and see its history.
A service object is not tied to a customer. It becomes related to a customer when it is attached to an order.
Create the service object groups first: every service object belongs to one.
Opening the page
Go to Service management > Setup > Service objects.
You need the privilege read service objects to see the page, and create service objects to add, change or delete devices. Ask your system administrator to grant them to your role (see Roles).
What you see
| Column | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Code | A short identifier for the device, for example INV-0001. |
| Description | What and whose it is, for example Inverter of Ahmad, rooftop. |
| Group | The service object group, for example INVERTERS. |
| Inventory item | Optional. The item in your inventory that describes this kind of device, shown as its number and name. |
The toolbar works as on the other setup pages: Back, Save, New, Edit, Delete and Refresh.
Add a device
- Select New. An empty row appears.
- Type a Code and a Description.
- Choose the Group from the list.
- Optionally, click the Inventory item cell and start typing the item's number or name. Matching items appear as you type; choose one.
- Select Save.
Rules:
- Code: 1 to 20 letters, digits, hyphens or underscores. Saved in capital letters. Must be new. It cannot be changed afterwards.
- Description: required, up to 200 characters.
- Group: required.
- Inventory item: optional. It must exist in Inventory. Use it when the device is a model you also stock or sell, so the model is recorded once, in one place.
The serial number of a device is not entered here. It belongs to the inventory dimensions of the item and will be linked to the device when those are available.
Change a device
- Select the row and choose Edit.
- Change the Description, the Group or the Inventory item. The code is read-only.
- Select Save, or Cancel to discard.
To remove the inventory item, clear the search text in the cell and save.
Delete a device
Select the row (or several) and choose Delete, then confirm. A device that already appears on orders cannot be deleted. You will see a message with the number of records that use it.
If something goes wrong
| You see | What to do |
|---|---|
| Choose a group. | Pick a group in the Group column. |
| The code must be 1 to 20 letters, digits, hyphens or underscores. | Remove spaces and symbols, and shorten the code. |
| A service object with the code … already exists. | Choose a different code, or edit the existing device. |
| The chosen inventory item no longer exists. Choose another item. | Someone removed the item from Inventory. Search again and pick another, or leave the field empty. |
| The chosen group no longer exists. Refresh the page. | The group was deleted. Refresh and choose another group. |
Good practice
- Use a code that someone can read off the device or the ticket: the customer's initials and a counter, or the job number.
- Put the customer's name in the Description, so the list is searchable by person.
- Do not create a new device for a unit that is already registered. Search the list first.