Skip to main content

Classification Setup

Classification is Asset Pro's powerful organizational taxonomy system. It allows you to categorize assets using unlimited levels with custom terminology.

Understanding Classification​

Classification answers the question: "What type of asset IS this?"

It's different from physical composition (parent-child), which answers: "What's INSIDE this asset?"

The Two-Part Structure​

Classification consists of:

  1. Classification Levels - The structure/skeleton (e.g., "Fleet Type", "Vessel Category")

  2. Classification Values - The actual categories (e.g., "Commercial", "Cargo Ship")

Example: Fleet Management​

Industry: Fleet Management

LEVELS (Structure): ├─ Level 1: "Fleet Type" ├─ Level 2: "Vessel Category" └─ Level 3: "Vessel Model"

VALUES (Categories): Level 1: Commercial, Fishing, Passenger Level 2: Cargo Ship, Trawler, Ferry, ... Level 3: Panamax Bulk Carrier, Purse Seine Trawler, ...

Part 1: Creating Classification Levels​

Levels define your taxonomy structure - the "skeleton" of your classification system.

Accessing Classification Levels​

  1. Choose the 🔎 icon, enter Classification Levels, and choose the related link

  2. Or from the Asset Industries page, select an industry and choose Levels

Creating a Level​

  1. Click New

  2. Fill in the fields:

Level Fields​

Industry Code (required)

  • Select the industry this level belongs to

  • Cannot be changed after creation

Level Number (required)

  • Sequential number: 1, 2, 3, etc.

  • Must create Level 1 before Level 2

  • Must create Level 2 before Level 3, etc.

  • Maximum: 50 levels

Level Name (required)

  • Singular form of the level name

  • Examples: "Fleet Type", "Vessel Category", "Equipment Model"

  • This name appears on forms and reports

Level Name Plural

  • Plural form for lists and menus

  • Examples: "Fleet Types", "Vessel Categories", "Equipment Models"

  • Auto-suggests by adding "s" but you can customize

Use in Lists

  • ✅ Checked: Level appears in filter dropdowns and quick filters

  • ❌ Unchecked: Level hidden from standard filters (advanced use only)

  • Default: Checked

Value Count (read-only)

  • Shows how many classification values exist at this level

Level Validation Rules​

Sequential Creation Required

  • You MUST create Level 1 before Level 2

  • You MUST create Level 2 before Level 3

  • Attempting to skip levels will result in an error

Correct Order:

  1. Create Level 1 ✅

  2. Create Level 2 ✅

  3. Create Level 3 ✅

Incorrect Order:

  1. Create Level 1 ✅

  2. Try to create Level 3 ❌ ERROR: Level 2 must exist

Deleting Levels​

A level can only be deleted if:

  • ❌ No classification values exist at that level

  • ❌ No higher levels exist (must delete Level 3 before Level 2)

Part 2: Creating Classification Values​

Values are the actual categories within each level.

Accessing Classification Values​

  1. Choose the 🔎 icon, enter Classification Values, and choose the related link

  2. Or from Classification Levels, select a level and choose Values

Creating a Value​

  1. Click New

  2. Fill in the fields:

Value Fields​

Industry Code (required)

  • Select the industry

  • Must match an existing industry

Level Number (required)

  • Select which level this value belongs to

  • Level must already be defined

Code (required)

  • Short identifier for this value (max 20 characters)

  • Examples: COMMERCIAL, CARGO, PANAMAX

  • Must be unique within the industry + level

  • Cannot be changed after creation

Description (required)

  • Full descriptive name

  • Examples: "Commercial Vessels", "Cargo Ships", "Panamax Bulk Carrier"

  • This is what users see on asset cards

Parent Value Code (required for Level 2+)

  • For Level 1: Leave blank (Level 1 has no parent)

  • For Level 2+: Select the parent from the level above

Blocked

  • Check to prevent using this value for new assets

  • Existing assets keep their classification

  • Useful for phasing out categories

Asset Count (read-only)

  • Shows how many assets are classified with this value (leaf node count)

  • Does NOT include assets classified under child values

Parent-Child Relationships in Classification​

Classification values form a tree structure through parent relationships.

Example Tree:

Commercial (Level 1, no parent) ├─ Cargo Ship (Level 2, parent: Commercial) │ ├─ Panamax Bulk Carrier (Level 3, parent: Cargo Ship) │ └─ Container Ship (Level 3, parent: Cargo Ship) └─ Tanker (Level 2, parent: Commercial) ├─ Oil Tanker (Level 3, parent: Tanker) └─ Chemical Tanker (Level 3, parent: Tanker)

Value Validation Rules​

Parent Value Requirements

  • Level 1: Must NOT have a parent (leave blank)

  • Level 2+: MUST have a parent from the previous level

  • Parent must exist before creating child values

Example:
To create "Cargo Ship" at Level 2:

  1. First create "Commercial" at Level 1 ✅

  2. Then create "Cargo Ship" at Level 2 with parent "Commercial" ✅

Deleting Values​

A value can only be deleted if:

  • ❌ No assets are classified with this value

  • ❌ No child values exist (must delete Level 3 values before Level 2 values)

Complete Setup Example: Fleet Management​

Step 1: Create Industry​

Code: FLEET Name: Fleet Management Description: Marine vessel fleet management

Step 2: Create Levels​

Level 1: Level Number: 1 Level Name: Fleet Type Level Name Plural: Fleet Types

Level 2: Level Number: 2 Level Name: Vessel Category Level Name Plural: Vessel Categories

Level 3: Level Number: 3 Level Name: Vessel Model Level Name Plural: Vessel Models

Step 3: Create Values​

Level 1 Values (Fleet Type):

COMMERCIAL | Commercial Vessels | (no parent) FISHING | Fishing Vessels | (no parent) PASSENGER | Passenger Vessels | (no parent)

Level 2 Values (Vessel Category):

CARGO | Cargo Ships | parent: COMMERCIAL TANKER | Tankers | parent: COMMERCIAL TRAWLER | Trawlers | parent: FISHING FERRY | Ferries | parent: PASSENGER CRUISE | Cruise Ships | parent: PASSENGER

Level 3 Values (Vessel Model):

PANAMAX | Panamax Bulk Carrier | parent: CARGO CONTAINER | Container Ship | parent: CARGO OIL-TANKER | Oil Tanker | parent: TANKER PURSE | Purse Seine Trawler | parent: TRAWLER

Design Best Practices​

Start Simple, Grow As Needed​

Initial Setup (Recommended):

  • 2-3 levels maximum

  • 3-5 values per level

  • Broad categories

Grow Over Time:

  • Add more levels when needed

  • Subdivide categories as business grows

  • Let actual usage drive structure

Consistent Naming Conventions​

Good Patterns:

  • Type → Category → Model

  • Division → Department → Unit

  • Family → Class → Series

Avoid:

  • Mixing singular/plural inconsistently

  • Using abbreviations users don't understand

  • Generic names like "Group 1", "Category A"

Think About Reporting​

Design your classification to match how you want to:

  • Filter asset lists (e.g., "Show all Cargo Ships")

  • Group reports (e.g., "Assets by Fleet Type")

  • Analyze data (e.g., "Commercial vessel count vs Fishing")

Future-Proof Your Structure​

  • Don't over-design initially

  • Leave room for new categories

  • Use descriptive codes that make sense long-term

Troubleshooting​

Error: "Level X must exist before creating Level Y"​

Cause: Trying to create levels out of sequence

Solution: Create Level 1, then Level 2, then Level 3 in order

Error: "Parent value Z does not exist at Level X"​

Cause: Parent value hasn't been created yet

Solution: Create parent value first, then create child value

Cannot Delete Level​

Cause: Classification values exist at that level

Solution: Delete all values at that level first, then delete the level

Cannot Delete Value​

Cause: Either assets are classified with this value, or child values exist

Solution:

  1. Reclassify assets to different value, or

  2. Delete child values first