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Global data fields
New to the Tracker Products software product in version 6.5.4, Global data fields enhance the functionality of custom data collection fields by allowing users to apply certain custom fields to multiple item, case and person selections.
In previous versions, all data collection fields resided within their own data container, making it impossible to use them to collect similar data (such as a serial number) on various cases, items and persons. Each selection required the creation of its own 'Serial number' field in order to collect serial numbers for that particular type of item. If you wanted to search for a serial number in the system you would have to search in all of the different containers that collected serial numbers. Now, with the introduction of Global data fields, users can create a universal 'Serial number' field and use it for anything. A serial number search would now return results for anything that uses serial numbers for identification. It may be a seemingly trivial distinction at first glance, but one that has the potential to significantly improve efficiency in your tracking system.
Creating A Global Data Field
Let's say you track things like bikes, firearms, appliances and computers. Because you need to track the serial numbers for items in all four categories, we're going to create a Global data field that can be used for all four.
Go to 'Custom Fields', click the
Click the 'Add sub-menu' option next to 'Bike'.
Create a submenu titled 'Serial number' and complete the property fields as you would any other custom sub-menu but don't click just yet.
Click the 'Add' link next to 'Add to multiple sub-menus'.
Expand the 'Category' selection by clicking on the triangle next to it and place a check next to all four category options that will be affiliated with our new global data field.
Click .
We now see that all four of the checked fields are listed as recipients of our new global data field.
Click .
As you can see, all four items now list 'Serial number' as a custom data collection field. When you go to enter a new item and select any one of these four categories, 'Serial number' will be one of the fields requesting data input. More importantly, when you perform a search in the system for a specific serial number, you will only have to select one container to achieve results on all of the applicable categories.
Note: Customers desiring to transfer information collected by older versions to newer global data fields will need to contact Tracker Products support for more information.
Restrictions
The Tracker Products system is designed to prevent the use of more than one global data field container for each item entered. You can, however, create as many custom fields as you want for each item entered.
Next step: Miscellaneous custom options
