System Categories

System categories are a generic framework used to configure many, often unrelated, aspects of the ServiceMobility application. A typical use case for system categories is to define configurable, localized lists or data types. Some example system categories are work order types, asset types, time entry categories and line item types.

Each system category may have a list of items associated with it. This list is referred to system category activities. Additional, depending on the usage, a system category may have subcategories creating a hierarchy.

A good example of subcategories and activities is the time entry definition. The default time entry system category contains multiple subcategories such as Admin, Travel, Onsite, Time Off. Each of these subcategories contains one or more category activities. For example, the Time Off subcategory has several default category activities - Holiday, Vacation, Bereavement, Illness, etc.

System categories and category activities may support one or more Flex Attribute definitions assigned to them. Flex Attributes are used to collected additional pieces of information from the user in the field. A good example of how Flex Attributes are used is in the asset module. An asset is associated with an asset type system category activity. This asset type can have Flex Attribute definitions associated with it to collect information such as asset hours, counters, temperatures, etc. Because the Flex Attributes are associated with the specific asset type this means different input fields will be displayed based on the type of asset being serviced.

As each system category is used for a different purpose within ServiceMobility, it is important to read each individual system category’s documentation to determine how it can be configured or extended.