Creating cross-database links

Enable analysis of BoMs that contain source records stored in other Granta MI databases by creating links to equivalent records in the Restricted Substances and Sustainability database.

Prerequisites: You must be using BoM Schema 25/05.
  1. In MI Schema Editor, create a Record Link Group from the source database to the Restricted Substances and Sustainability database. For each BoM item type the source database needs to reference, create a link between the relevant tables:
    1. Open Administration > Schema Editor and select the source database.
    2. Select Record Link Groups, and then click Create Record Link Group.
    3. Set the Link Group Type to Static.
    4. Enter a Record Link Group Name and Record Link Group Name in reverse direction
    5. Set the Source Table and Target Table to link between.
      Note: The tables you link must contain the same BoM item types. For example, link a Process table in the source database to the ProcessUniverse table in the Restricted Substances and Sustainability database.
  2. Add the Record Link Groups you created to relevant Layouts of both the source and target tables, so they can be viewed where required. For each Layout:
    1. Open Administration > Schema Editor and select the database and table.
    2. Click Layouts.
    3. Select the Layout that you would like to add the Record Link Group to.
    4. In the In this Layout section, select the Section, and click Edit Selected Section.
    5. Select the Record Link Groups to add to the section, and set the Required and Read-only options for each item you have added.
    6. Click OK.
    7. Ensure that MI:Explore is selected in the Applications using the layout.
  3. Define a Standard Name and map it to the Record Link Groups you have created. In MI Admin:
    1. Open the Schema Tool.
    2. Set the source database as the Current Database, click Edit Standard Names, and then click Add.
    3. Set the Standard Name.
      • For links to tables containing Ansys reference data, use RS and Sustainability record
      • For links to the Materials - in house table, use RS and Sustainability record (Materials - in house)
    4. On the Record Link Groups tab, select the Record Link Groups to be mapped, and click Add.
      You can add multiple Record Link Groups to a Standard Name.
    5. When you have mapped all of the Record Link Groups, click OK.
  4. Use the Record Link Groups you created to link source records to the corresponding records in the Restricted Substances and Sustainability database.
    For more information about creating links using Record Link Groups, see Granta MI Administration and Configuration.
    Important: Each record must only link to one record in the Restricted Substances and Sustainability database.