Type = How-tos, ; Topic = Multienterprise Information Network Tower (MINT),;Persona = TraceLink Administrator, User, Solution Partner,; Orchestration = Manufacturing, Commerce,; Function = Supply Chain, IT, Procurement,

Article masters

An Article Master communicates product or material master data from a manufacturing customer to a third-party logistics provider (3PL), helping align logistics operations with product specifications, inventory requirements, and handling needs.

In Logistics Orchestration, Article Master data can include product identifiers, descriptions, packaging information, dimensions, weights, and other logistics-relevant attributes. This information provides the reference data required to consistently identify, store, handle, transport, and fulfill products across logistics processes.

By exchanging Article Master data electronically, manufacturing customers and 3PL providers can maintain consistent product information, reduce manual data entry, improve inventory and fulfillment accuracy, and support efficient and compliant supply chain execution.

For more information about Article master guidelines, see Article master transactions.

Create and submit article masters

Perform this task to create and submit new article master. Additionally, buyers can begin work on a article master and save it for completion at a later time.

Perform this task to create new article master and submit them to providers.

  1. Select the Main Menu icon.

  2. Select My Networks in the header.

  3. Select a [MPL Network] from the Select your Network drop-down in the header.
  4. Select a Partner or Location (e.g. your entire company or a Link to a specific Partner or internal location) in the header.
  5. Select the Go button.
  6.  Select Logistics - Client from the left menu.
    Partners must have the correct roles assigned if using the Owner's instance of Multienterprise Information Network Tower.
  7. Select Article Masters.
  8. Select the New button.
  9. Enter the article master number in the Article Master Number field.

  10. Select the Save button.

    The screen refreshes with the saved article master in the draft state and with the required sections populated.

  11. Select the Edit button.

  12. In the Transaction Information section, select Submitted from the Process Status drop drown.
  13. In the Article Master Information section fill in the following fields:
    1. Article Master Number field – A unique identifier assigned to an article master.
      This field auto populates the value entered on the New Article Master screen.
    2. Article Master Date field – The start date of article master.
    3. Action drop-down – A brief description stating the purpose of the transaction.
    4. Message Type Identifier field – Finished product number associated with the created article master.
  14. In the Reference Transactions section, select the Add icon.
    1.   In the New Reference Transaction panel, fill in the following fields in the Reference Transaction Information section::
      1. Transaction Type drop-down – The type of transaction.
      2. Transaction Identifier Value type-ahead field – The unique identifier of the transaction.
        If the value does not match the available options, the value must be entered manually.
      3. Transaction Date field - The transaction date.
    2. Select Apply.
      A new reference transaction line is added.
  15.   In the Client and Provider section, fill in the following fields under Client group:

    1. Company type-ahead field – The name of the company sending article master. This company is customer of goods. This field pulls from the Owner's company and location master data.

      The remaining Client fields are auto populated with the values from the company or location's master data entry. If the name of the company is not present in the Owners master data, the company name must be entered manually.

    2. Address 1 field – The address of the particular location.
    3. Address 2 field – Any additional address information.
    4. Country drop-down – The two-letter country code with country name for this location.
    5. State field – The state or region for this location.
    6. City field – The city for this location.
    7. Postal Code field – The postal code for this location's main address.
    8. Contact Telephone Number field – The company or location's phone number.
    9. Contact Fax Number field – The company or location's fax number
    10. Party ID Type drop-down – The identifier type used for this company or location. See Identifier and Item Code Types for more information.
    11. Party ID Value field – The value associated with the identifier type.

  16.   In the Client and Provider section, fill in the following fields under Provider group:

    1. Company type-ahead field – The name of the company receiving the article master. This company is supplier of goods. This field pulls from the Owner's company and location master data.

      The remaining Provider fields are auto populated with the values from the company or location's master data entry. If the name of the company is not present in the Owners master data, the company name must be entered manually.

    2. Address 1 field – The address of the particular location.
    3. Address 2 field – Any additional address information.
    4. Country drop-down – The two-letter country code with country name for this location.
    5. State field – The state or region for this location.
    6. City field – The city for this location.
    7. Postal Code field – The postal code for this location's main address.
    8. Contact Telephone Number field – The company or location's phone number.
    9. Contact Fax Number field – The company or location's fax number
    10. Party ID Type drop-down – The identifier type used for this company or location. See Identifier and Item Code Types for more information.
    11. Party ID Value field – The value associated with the identifier type.
  17. In the Line Items section:
    1. Select the Addicon. At least one line item is required to submit a article master.
    2. In the New Line Items panel, fill in the following fields under Line Item Information section:
      1. Line field – The number to identify the line item by (e.g. 50).
      2. Item field – The name of the product. If the user enters an item code instead, the field automatically displays the corresponding item name.
        The Item Code Type, Item Code Value and Description fields are auto populated with the values from the Owner's product master data entry for the product. If the product name is not present in the Owner's product master data then the product name must be entered manually.
      3. Item Type drop-down – The product code type (e.g. IN-Product Code).
      4. Item Value field – The product code.
      5. Item Description field – A brief description of the product. If the description is not present in the Owners product master data then the description must be entered manually.
      6. Processing Function Type Code drop-down – Code representing the processing function at the line item level.
      7. Batch Processing Enabled switch – Indicates whether batch management is enabled for the article in the master record.
      8. Article Barcode field – A unique bar code assigned to distinguish and identify the article.
      9. Material Type field – Describes the composition or classification of the material.
      10. Article Brand Identifier field - The brand associated with the article.
      11. Article Family Code field - Code that groups related articles under a common family category.
      12. Material Group field – A code used to categorize multiple materials or services that share similar characteristics.
      13. Packing Quantity field – The number of eaches of an item contained within an inner pack or case.
      14. Line Item Quantity Unit Of Measure drop-down – The unit in which the line item quantity is measured
      15. Expiry Lead Time Value field – The lead time before the article's expiration date, based on the expiryLeadTimeType, which also helps determine when the article should be locked and no longer available for ordering..
      16. Expiry Class field - Specifies the class defined in warehouse management that determines the product's lead time.If not provided, the system uses the expiryLeadTimeType and expiryLeadTime to determine the lead time.
      17. Quality Hold Receipt field - Indicates whether the article is received under quality hold or in released (unrestricted) status.
      18. Expiry Required switch- Indicates whether the article is subject to expiry date control.
      19. Stackable switch - Indicates if the article is eligible for delivery on double-stacked pallets.
      20. Hazardous switch - Indicates whether the article requires special handling due to being classified as dangerous or hazardous.
      21. Samples Required switch - Indicates if samples are to be taken upon receipt of the article.
      22. Number Of Samples field - The quantity of article samples to be taken if sampling is required (if isSamplesRequired is set to true).
      23. Storage Type field - The storage type or class assigned to the article.
      24. Pick UM switch - Specifies whether the item can be picked using its base unit of measure.
      25. Pick Box switch - Indicates whether the item can be picked as a full box.
      26. Pick Carton switch - Indicates whether the item is eligible for picking as a full carton.
      27. Pick Unit switch - Indicates whether the item can be picked as individual units.
      28. Serialization Type field - The method used to apply serialization to the item.
      29. Customer Business Name field - The legal or commercial name of the customer.
      30. Customer Company Identifier Type field - The type of identifier assigned to the customer.
      31. Customer Company Identifier Value field - The value of the identifier assigned to the customer.
      32. Supplier Business Name field - The name of the supplier’s company or business entity.
      33. Supplier Company Identifier Type field - The identifier type used for the supplier
      34. Supplier Company Identifier Value field - The identifier value for the supplier.
      35. Site Location Business Name field - The business name linked to the physical site location.
      36. Site Location Company Identifier Type field - The identifier type assigned to the site location.
      37. Site Location Company Identifier Value field - The identification value assigned to the site location.
      38. Carton Packaging Height field - Height of the packaging carton measured in standard units.
      39. Carton Packaging Width field - Packaging carton width measured in standard units.
      40. Carton Packaging Depth field - The depth of the packaging carton measured in standard units.
      41. Pallet Packaging Height field - The overall height of the item when placed on a pallet.
      42. Pallet Packaging Width field - The overall width of the item when palletized.
      43. Pallet Packaging Depth field - The overall depth of the item when palletized.

    3. Select Apply.

      The new line item is added to the article master.

    4. Select a item line row and then select the branch icon and fill in the following fields under Sub Line Information:
      1. Inventory Adjustment switch – The indicator showing whether inventory adjustments are permitted for the article.
      2. Cycle Count Code field – The physical inventory cycle count code identifies an article designated for inventory tracking through the cycle counting method.
      3. Inventory Move Speed Code field – The rate at which inventory flows into and out of a warehouse location.
      4. Count Near Zero switch – Indicator that determines whether an immediate cycle count is required when the article's inventory falls below the defined near-zero threshold.
      5. Near Zero Quantity field – The unit quantity of the article at which the inventory level reaches the near-zero threshold.
      6. Commodity Import Tariff Code field – Commodity or import tariff code used in foreign trade for statistical and regulatory purposes.
      7. Country Of Origin field – Country where the article was manufactured or originates from.
      8. Weight Value field – The value of the weight.
      9. Volume Value field – The volume measurement of the article.
    5. Select Apply.

      The sub line information is added to line item.

    6. Select the line item row drop down to view the sub line information in a table.
  18.  In the Pricing and Taxation section:
    1. Select the Add icon and fill in the following fields:

      1. Line field –The number to identify the line item.

        Enter the same value in the Line field as specified in the Line Items section for consistency and avoid validation issues.

      2. Item field – The name of the product. If the user enters an item code instead, the field automatically displays the corresponding item name. The Item Type and Item Value fields are auto populated with the values from the Owner's product master data entry for the product. If the product name is not present in the Owner's product master data then the product name must be entered manually.

        Enter the same value in the Item field as specified in the Line Items section for consistency and avoid validation issues.

      3. Item Type drop-down – The product code type (e.g. IN-Product Code).

        Enter the same value in the Item Type field as specified in the Line Items section for consistency and avoid validation issues.

      4. Item Value field –The product code.

        Enter the same value in the Item Value field as specified in the Line Items section for consistency and avoid validation issues.

    2. Select Apply.

      The new pricing and taxation line item is added.

    3. Select a pricing and taxation item line row and then select the branch icon and fill in the following fields under Pricing and Taxation Information:
      1. Currency drop-down – The 3-letter ISO currency code that the line items included in the purchase order are priced with.
      2. Price Value field – The price specified in the article master record.
      3. Pricing Type drop-down – The type of pricing used in the sales price catalog.
      4. Country drop-down – The two-letter country code with country name for this location.
      5. Tax Category Code field – A system-defined value used to automatically determine country-specific taxes during pricing. Multiple tax categories may be defined for each country.
      6. Tax Classification drop-down – Defines the output tax applicable to the article during the processing of sales and distribution documents.
    4. Select Apply.

      The new pricing and taxation information is added.

    5. Select the pricing and taxation item line row drop down to view the pricing and taxation information in a table.
  19. In the Packaging Structure Details section:
    1. Select the Add icon and fill in the following fields:
      1. Line field –The number to identify the line item.

        Enter the same value in the Line field as specified in the Line Items section for consistency and avoid validation issues.

      2. Item field – The name of the product. If the user enters an item code instead, the field automatically displays the corresponding item name

        The Item Type and Item Value fields are auto populated with the values from the Owner's product master data entry for the product. If the product name is not present in the Owner's product master data then the product name must be entered manually.

        Enter the same value in the Item field as specified in the Line Items section for consistency and avoid validation issues.

      3. Item Type drop-down – The product code type (e.g. IN-Product Code).

        Enter the same value in the Item Type field as specified in the Line Items section for consistency and avoid validation issues.

      4. Item Value field –The product code.

        Enter the same value in the Item Value field as specified in the Line Items section for consistency and avoid validation issues.

      5. Item Value field –The product code.

        Enter the same value in the Item Value field as specified in the Line Items section for consistency and avoid validation issues.

    2. Select Apply.

      The new packaging structure details line item is added.

    3. Select a packaging structure details line row and then select the branch icon and fill in the following fields under Packaging Structure Details:
      1. Pallet Tier Count field – The total number of layers or tiers stacked on a pallet.
      2. Cases Per Pallet Tier field – The number of cases typically placed on each tier or layer of a pallet or its equivalent unit of measure for the article's packaging.
      3. Pallet Unit Count field – The total number of units contained on a pallet.
      4. Carton Unit Count field – The total number of units packed in a carton.
      5. Pallet Identifier Code Packaging Identifier field – The code used to identify the pallet.
      6. Pallet Identifier Barcode field – The pallet bar code number.
      7. Case Identifier Code Packaging Identifier field – The code used to identify the case or carton.
      8. Case Identifier Code Barcode field – The bar code number for the case or carton.
      9. Inner Pack Identifier Code Packaging Identifier field – The code used to identify the inner pack.
      10. Inner Pack Identifier Barcodefield – The bar code number for the inner pack.
      11. Nesting Height field – The height when nested.
      12. Nesting Width field – The width when nested.
      13. Nesting Dimensions Unit Of Measure drop-down – The unit of measurement used for the dimensional value.
      14. Packaging Length field – The length of the packaging specified at the article packaging details level.
      15. Packaging Height field – The height of the packaging as defined in the article packaging details.
      16. Packaging Width field – The width of the packaging specified in the article packaging details.
      17. Packaging Dimensions Unit Of Measure drop-down – The measurement unit used for the dimension value.
    4. Select Apply.
      The new packaging structure details line item is added.
    5. Select the packaging structure details line row drop down to view the packaging structure details line information in a table.
    6. Select a packaging structure details line row and then select the branch icon and fill in the following fields under Packaging Structure Details:
      1. Quantity Value field – The quantity of an article or packaging unit contained in the next lower packaging level. For example, in a packaging structure that includes pallets, cases, and eaches, this represents the number of cases per pallet; in a structure with only cases and eaches, it refers to the number of eaches per case.
      2. Gross Weight field – The gross weight of the article including its packaging.
      3. Net Weight field – The net weight of the article, excluding its packaging.
      4. Unit of Measure drop-down – The unit in which the line item is measured.
      5. Is Cartonize Picking field – The cartonized picking flag indicates whether the packaging level is eligible for picking directly into a carton, supporting the allocation process that determines which items can be grouped together for shipment.
      6. Is Bulk Pickingfield – The bulk picking flag indicates whether the packaging level can be consolidated for bulk picking, allowing inventory from multiple orders to be grouped into larger picks to minimize the number of individual picking tasks.
      7. Threshold Picking field – The minimum percentage of the article's packaging level capacity that must be filled for it to qualify as a threshold pick, typically used to fulfill orders that require less than a full platform quantity.
    7. Select Apply.
      The new packaging structure details line item is added.
    8. Select the packaging structure details line row drop down to view the packaging structure details in a table.
  20. In the Comments section, enter any additional comments or instructions.
  21. To submit the article master:
    To save the article master in a Draft state and finish it later, ensure the Move To button is not selected and then select the Save button in the draft state.

    1. Select the Move To button at the top of the screen.

      The submit status indicator circle is filled in with green to indicate the desired action upon selecting save.

    2. Select the Save button.

      The article master is submitted.

Tips

  • Select the Addicon, to add a new line item, where available.

  • Select the Deleteicon, to remove an individual line item, where available.

  • Select the branch icon, to add a new line item in the inserted table, where available.

  • New article masters can also be created by selecting the New button on the Article Masters Details screen for an existing article master.

 Complete and submit a saved article master in the draft state.

  1. Select the Main Menu icon.
  2. Select My Networks in the header.
  3. Select a [MPL Network] from the Select your Network drop-down in the header.
  4. Select a Partner or Location (e.g. your entire company or a Link to a specific Partner or internal location) in the header.
  5. Select the Go button.
  6.  Select Logistics - Client from the left menu.
    Partners must have the correct roles assigned if using the Owner's instance of Multienterprise Information Network Tower.
  7. Select Article Masters.
  8. Select the Filter button to find article maters in Draft state.

  9. Select the Article Master Number link in the results table.

  10. Select the Edit button.

  11. In the Transaction Information section, select Submitted from the Process Status drop drown.
  12. Confirm the article master details and select the Edit icon associated with that line item to modify the fields if required. See Create and submit a new article master for detailed field description of article masters.

  13. Select the Move To button at the top of the screen.

    The submit status indicator circle is filled in with green to indicate the desired action upon selecting save.

  14. Select the Save button.

    The article master is submitted.

Tips

  • To delete a article master in a draft state, select the article master number row and then select the Delete icon on the top of the Search Article Masters screen.

A deleted transaction cannot be retrieved.

Create new discussions and add comments to existing discussions

Owner and Partner can start discussions or add comments directly from a subtype view page. This allows authorized users from owner and partner companies to collaborate in the context of the transaction they are viewing.

Perform this task to add new discussion directly from the subtype record being viewed.

  1. Select the Main Menu icon.
  2. Select My Networks in the header.
  3. Select a [MPL Network] from the Select your Network drop-down in the header.
  4. Select a Partner or Location (e.g. your entire company or a Link to a specific Partner or internal location) in the header.
  5. Select the Go button.

  6. Navigate to the subtype record you want to discuss.

  7. Open the subtype record to display its view page.

  8. Select the Add Discussion button.
    The new discussion page opens in a new tab.

  9. Start the discussion using one of the following options:

    1. In the Transaction section, select the transaction ID link to review and update the related transaction automatically referenced from the subtype record.

    2. Select the New button to initiate a new discussion for the transaction, if required.
      This creates a new, independent discussion thread for the transaction. The new discussion will not be a continuation of any existing discussion associated with the subtype record, and prior discussion details from the subtype record will not automatically carry forward into the new thread.

  10. Enter the discussion details. For detailed field descriptions, see Create and submit a discussion

  11. Select the Save button.
    The new discussion is now associated with the transaction from the originating subtype view page.

Perform this task to add a comment to an existing discussion associated with transaction being viewed.

  1. Select the Main Menu icon.
  2. Select My Networks in the header.
  3. Select a [MPL Network] from the Select your Network drop-down in the header.
  4. Select a Partner or Location (e.g. your entire company or a Link to a specific Partner or internal location) in the header.
  5. Select the Go button.

  6. Navigate to the subtype record related to the discussion you want to comment on.

  7. Open the subtype record to display its view page.
  8. Select the Add Comment button.
    The Discussion Search page opens in a new tab within the context of the selected transaction.

  9. Find the discussion to update using one of the following options.

    1. Review and update the discussions already associated with the transaction.

    2. Select the Filter button, enter the search criteria, and apply the filter. From the filtered results, select the discussion to review and update. For detailed field descriptions, see Search and View All Discussions

    3. If the existing discussion is not appropriate, select the New button to start a new discussion for the associated transaction. For detailed field descriptions, see Create and Submit a Discussion

  10. Select the discussion to update.

  11. Enter comment.
  12. Select the Save button.
    The comment is added to the selected discussion and remains associated with the related transaction.

Search and view article masters

Perform this task to search for and view the details of the article masters sent or received by clients and providers. Viewing the details of a article master enables clients and providers to quickly access article master information (e.g. the quantity for each line item in an order) in TraceLink without having to search through the actual B2B message.

  1. Select the Main Menu icon.
  2. Select My Networks in the header.
  3. Select a [MPL Network] from the Select your Network drop-down in the header.
  4. Select a Partner or Location (e.g. your entire company or a Link to a specific Partner or internal location) in the header.
  5. Select the Go button.

  6. Select Logistics - Client or Logistics - Provider from the left menu.

    Partners must have the correct roles assigned if using the Owner's instance of Multienterprise Information Network Tower.
  7. Select Article Masters.
  8. Select the Filter button.
  9. In the Filters panel, fill in one or more of the following fields to filter the results:

    1. Multi Field Search field - Searches across multiple indexed fields using a single keyword, including Text, Text Area, Email, URL, and Lookup fields.

    2. Article Master Number field – A unique identifier assigned to an article master.
    3. Article Master Date field – The start date of article master.

    4. State drop-down – The state of the article master: 

      • Draft – The transaction is in the draft state.
      • Submit – The transaction has been created.
      • Processing – The application is getting ready to handle incoming transactions by doing some initial tasks, such as copying the files it receives.
      • Processed – The application changes the standard information into a format that is easy to use and specific to your transaction.
      • Preparing to Send – The application is getting ready to send out a transaction and is doing some initial tasks, like copying the necessary information for the process.
      • Sending –The application sends out business transactions to the buyer or supplier.
      • Sent – The transaction is successfully completed and shared with the receiving party.
    5. Provider type-ahead – Displays only if the menu item is Sent Article Masters in Logistics - Client. The name of the company the article master was sent to.
      If the name of the company is not present in the Owners master data then the company's name must be entered manually.
    6. Client type-ahead – Displays only if the menu item is Received Article Masters in Logistics - Provider. The name of the company the article master was received from.
      If the name of the company is not present in the Owner's master data then the company's name must be entered manually.
    7. Last Modified drop-down – The period of time in which the article master was last updated:
      • Today – The transaction was modified within the last few hours.
      • Yesterday – The transaction was updated within the past 24 hours.
      • Last Week – The transaction was modified in the last 7 days.
      • Last Month – The transaction was modified in the last 30 days.
      • Last 3 Months – The transaction was modified in the last 90 days.
      • Last 6 Months – The transaction was modified in the last 180 days.
      • Custom Range – Select a specific period of time that the transaction was modified in from the calendar.

  10. Select Apply.

    A list of article masters displays based on the filter results.

  11. Select the link for the article master from the results table.

    The View Article Masters screen displays.

  12. To view all fields for each line item, select the View icon on the Article Masters Details screen.

For detail information about these fields, see Create and submit a new article master.

Reprocess and resubmit article masters

After the article master is submitted, the user might encounter an error and the processed status will be set to Paused With Error. Use the following procedure to resolve any error messages encountered while submitting a article master.

  1. Select the Main Menu icon.
  2. Select My Networks in the header.
  3. Select a [MPL Network] from the Select your Network drop-down in the header.
  4. Select a Partner or Location (e.g. your entire company or a Link to a specific Partner or internal location) in the header.
  5. Select the Go button.
  6.  Select Logistics - Client from the left menu.
    Partners must have the correct roles assigned if using the Owner's instance of Multienterprise Information Network Tower.
  7. Select Article Masters.
  8. Select theFilter button to find article masters in Processing, Processed, Preparing to Send, or Sending state.
  9. Select Article Master Number link in the results table.
  10. View the following fields for error in the Transaction Information section: 
    • Process Status - Displays the status of the submitted transaction.
    • Last Transaction Error - Displays the error message.
  11. Select the Edit button.
  12. In the Transaction Information section, select Submitted from the Process Status drop drown.
  13. Select the Save button.
    The article master request is moved from Processing state to Sending state indicating that the article master is submitted successfully.

Do not select the Move To button, as it will cause the transaction to skip a workflow state, preventing successful delivery.

If a transaction is successfully sent to a partner but an issue occurs on the partner's side (e.g. in their ERP system), the sender can avoid re-entering all the details by rolling back to a previous workflow state and resending the transaction, thus saving time and effort for both parties.

  1. Select the Main Menu icon.
  2. Select My Networks in the header.
  3. Select a [MPL Network] from the Select your Network drop-down in the header.
  4. Select a Partner or Location (e.g. your entire company or a Link to a specific Partner or internal location) in the header.
  5. Select the Go button.
  6.  Select Logistics - Client from the left menu.
    Partners must have the correct roles assigned if using the Owner's instance of Multienterprise Information Network Tower.
  7. Select Article Masters.
  8. Select a Article Master Number in Sent state.

  9. Select the Edit button.

    The state of the article master is automatically moved to Sending state.

  10. Select the Move To button at the top of the screen.

    The submit status indicator circle is filled in with green to indicate the desired action upon selecting save.

  11. Select the Save button.

    The article master is submitted.

The statues of the article master moves to Sent state.

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