Analyzing BoMs that contain records from other Granta MI databases

Your Granta data administrator may configure Record Link Groups that allow you to link in-house records from your other Granta MI databases to equivalent reference records in the Restricted Substances and Sustainability database. Using reference data enables you to analyze BoMs that include records stored in other databases.

When you open a BoM file which contains records stored in other databases, the original record is substituted in the BoM Analyzer display by the linked Restricted Substances and Sustainability record. The linked record is used in any analysis you run, and is added to the XML BoM file.

The original record is displayed beneath the linked record for reference with the BoM item type 'External', and both the original and linked records are preserved in the XML - the linked record is included as the assignment, while the original record is retained as a reference.

Important: Substitution of the linked record does not modify the original XML file that you opened. If you save the BoM from BoM Analyzer, a new XML file is created.

To check whether a record has been linked, you can view the datasheet in MI Explore or MI Materials Gateway. You can add or remove linked records in MI Viewer if you have sufficient privileges and know the name of the Record Link Group. Records can either be linked to generic Ansys reference records, or your own in-house records.

Note: If you can't see the Record Link Group on the datasheet in MI Explore, check you are using the Layout which the link group was added to.

Important: Each record must only link to one record in the Restricted Substances and Sustainability database.

The table below compares how the original and linked records are handled in BoM Analyzer, analysis, and reporting.


Behavior	Original Record	Linked Record
Displayed in BoM Analyzer	Yes	Yes
Used in analysis	No	Yes
Included in XML BoM file	Yes (XML element: `EquivalentReference`)	Yes
Shown in BoM Report	Yes (Item Type: External)	Yes (used in the Analysis)

Data values defined for Quantity, Unit of Measure, Mass per UoM, Mass Unit, and Material Grade remain as specified in the original BoM when records are substituted and are used in the analysis. Values retrieved from the database during analysis (such as environmental indicators Embodied Energy (MJ) and Climate change (CO2-eq)(kg)) are taken only from the linked record and never from the original record assignment.

Note: If you choose to edit the BoM in BoM Analyzer, you can not add records from other Granta MI databases. To do so, you must make assignments in your CAD or PLM application, or edit the BoM file, and then reopen the updated file in BoM Analyzer.