Collection elements are categorized by type so that they can be sorted and grouped in database searches and on reports. You assign collection element types to collection elements when you define them. Thus, you must first set up collection element types before you create collection elements.

You can create your own collection element types and add them to collection plans, or you can use any of Quality's predefined collection element types. If you create your own collection element types, you must define them before you define collection elements.

Predefined Collection Element Types

Oracle Quality provides you with three predefined collection element types, Attribute, Variable, and Reference, which are available as selections on a list of values when you define collection elements (see Defining Collection Element Types).

Attribute Collection Element Type

The Attribute collection element type groups collection elements according to specified characteristics (such as color, taste, or size) or the outcome of a process they are associated with, such as a pass/fail result collected during a Purchasing Receiving Inspection. These collection elements often have a limited list of acceptable values.

The following table presents attribute collection element types.

Examples of Attribute Collection Element Types

Variable Collection Element Type

The Variable collection element type groups collection elements by their numeric measurements, such as size, viscosity, or temperature. They often have a range of acceptable values or specification limits expressed as preferred values with an acceptable degree of tolerance.

The following table presents variable collection element types.

Examples of Variable Collection Element Types

Reference Information Collection Element Type

The Reference Information collection element type groups collection elements that reference common objects defined in other Oracle Applications, such as Oracle Flow Manufacturing, Inventory, Order Management, Purchasing, and Work in Process. See: Reference Information Collection Elements.

Defining Collection Element Types

You must assign a collection element type to each collection element that you define. You can use the following procedure to create your own collection element types or you can use one of Quality's three predefined types: attribute, variable, and reference information.

   To define collection element types:

1. Navigate to the Collection Element Type QuickCodes window.

2. Enter a unique Code for the collection element type. You can use alphanumeric characters, spaces, underscores (_), and single quotation marks (').

   You can define a maximum of 250 Codes, but you cannot change the values in these fields once you save them. To remove an obsolete Code you can either disable it, enter an end date, or change the meaning and description to match a replacement code.

3. Enter the Meaning of the Code.

   The Meaning is the translation of the Code. For example, the meaning of a Code called "IP-1" could be "Inspection Plan Number 1."

4. Enter the Description of the Code.

   The description provides additional information about the Code and is displayed on the list of values for the enabled collection element types. For example, the description for Code IP-1 is "Inspection Plan Number 1 for WIP Move Transactions."

5. Optionally, enter the date that the collection element type becomes effective in the Effective Date From field.

   If you enter a date in this field, the collection element type cannot be used before this date. If you do not enter a date, the collection element type is valid immediately.

6. Optionally, enter the date that the collection element type is no longer effective in the Effective Date To field.

   If you enter a date in this field, the collection element type cannot be used after this date. If you do not enter an expiration date, the collection element type is valid indefinitely. Once a collection element type expires, you cannot select the collection element type as you define collection elements, but you can query records that already use it.

7. Check the Enable box to enable the collection element type.

   If you do not check this box, the collection element type will not appear on the list of values when you define collection elements. You can disable, but you cannot delete collection element types. If you disable a collection element type, you cannot select it as you define collection elements, but you can still query records that already use it.

8. Save your work.

See: Defining Collection Elements.

See: Lookups.