Space Functional Category Associations

For installations using the Space module, you can now create associations between space types and space functional categories. Creating these associations can simplify the process of creating nested complex allocations by limiting users’ choices when nesting Space Category and Space Function complex allocations. This prevents users from making inappropriate nested complex allocations and makes selecting the proper type of allocation simpler by narrowing the list of options that are displayed in drop-down menus.

For example, you could create the following associations between space types and functional categories:

If you create a nested complex allocation for a space and make the first method layer a Space Function layer (which you specify as Sponsored Research), then when you nest a Space Category allocation beneath it, your only options when selecting the space type will be Open Laboratory or Research Laboratory.

These associations work in either direction. Using the above example, if you define a nested complex allocation and make the first method layer a Space Category layer (where you specify the space type as Research Laboratory), then when you nest a Space Function layer beneath it, your only options when selecting the functional category will be University Research or Sponsored Research.

While you can define space type and space functional category associations, the validation of these associations is not yet implemented and will be available in an upcoming release. For now, the associations can be made, but they will not yet restrict nested complex allocations.

To open the Space Functional Category Associations page:

  1. Open the Administration Menu page.

  2. Under the SPACE ADMIN heading, click Space Functional Category Associations .

  3. Click the Space Type tab.

    In a future release you will be able to create associations between departments and space functional categories as well.

ClosedSearch for Space Functional Category Associations

The controls at the top of the page allow you to search for existing associations between space functional categories and space types. This allows you to examine a list of current associations and to delete those that are no longer needed.

To search for space functional category associations:

  1. Enter your search criteria.

    You can either select a value or click into the field and start typing to display only values that contain the characters you enter.

    • Space Type – Specify a value to search for associations based on the space type.
    • Functional Category – Specify a value to search for associations based on the functional category.

    The search is not case-sensitive.

  2. Click Search.

    A list of all of the associations that match the criteria you entered appears, displaying up to 20 results per page. You can access additional pages of results using the controls at the bottom of the list.

You can sort the results in ascending or descending order by clicking a column heading. If you want to delete an association, click the delete icon to the right of the association. Deleting an association does not affect any existing nested complex allocations. If you want to reset the criteria and perform a different search, click the Reset button.

ClosedCreate Space Functional Category Associations

The second row of controls allow you to create a new association between a space type and a functional category. To create an association, both the space type and the functional category values are required.

To create a new association:

  1. In the Space Type field, select the space type.

    You can either select a value or click into the field and start typing to display only values that contain the characters you enter.

  2. In the Functional Category field, select the functional category you want to associate with the space type.

    You can either select a value or click into the field and start typing to display only values that contain the characters you enter.

  3. Click Add.

    The association is created and displayed at the top of the list of associations. If you attempt to create an association that already exists, and error message will display at the top of the page.