Add, edit and link components
Written by Heinz Hambrock
Let's see how can you create and manage all components in Mattermaps, and link them to your suppliers. Remember that you will need to add suppliers first!
The linking of components and suppliers ensures that the emission values transmitted by your suppliers are automatically assigned to your components and transferred to the relevant bill of materials for your products.
Scroll down to learn more.
Component overview
To create, manage or link your components in Mattermaps, go to the Procurement tab and choose Material Categories from the dropdown. Here you will find an overview of the material categories.
You have the possibility to see all the components listed in a table view by clicking on "Show all components" button at the top next to +Add Material Category button. By clicking on a material category, you can see all the components listed under that specific category. You can filter components based on material category and status, in addition you can use the search box above the overview to search for a specific component. You can also remove multiple components at once by clicking the check box on the left hand side, then remove button.
You can export all your components into an excel format, make the necessary changes, then import them again.
What do you want to do next?
Create components
To create components, first, you need to add a Material Category, after that, you can add the components via + Add Component button. You can choose to enter components manually or upload several components at the same time using the bulk upload.
You have decided to upload the component data using bulk uploads.
Once you click + Add Component, choose Upload Files. You will be directed to the bulk uploads page. Download and fill the mandatory fields.
Save, then upload again.
Please note that the excel template may differ due to different identifier types added in the company admin settings section. If you added different identifier types, best way is to download the template directly via the platform. If a new type is added, make sure to download the template again.
You have decided to create your components manually.
Once you click + Add Manually, a new window will appear to enter the details of your component. Once you fill in the necessary fields shown with a small red star, you can save your component.
You can add additional identifiers here by clicking + Add identifier if needed. If you have questions regarding the different fields? Check out this guide.
Please be informed that you haven't linked the component with a supplier yet. You can see that the status of the component you just created says "No suppliers listed". To link the component with an existing supplier, click on it. You will be directed to the Component Overview.
Click on Manage Suppliers button on the upper right corner to link the suppliers. Click Link Existing Supplier button, choose the supplier from the dropdown menu in the new dialog box.
Next, choose the location and create a "Supplier Product ID". "Supplier Product ID" is how your supplier identifies this product.
Have you entered your desired components? Excellent!
Manage components
All created components of a material category can be seen in component overview. You can select one or multiple components by checking the box on the left side.
By selecting a component, you can click on the three dots on the right, then Edit Component. You also have the option to change component related information. The assignment of components to one or more of your products is made possible by identification numbers. You can add or edit more component identifiers in the list.
To delete your component, select it by clicking the check box in the left of the component and click on delete button. You can delete one or multiple components at once.
When we are uploading the components to the system, there are several fields which needs to be filled in. Let's take a look at these together:
Before we explain all the fields, it's good to know that if it's written in Bold in the excel sheet, this means the field is mandatory to fill in.
-
Component Universally Unique Identifier (UUID): This is an automatically generated ID, consisting of a 36-character alphanumeric string that can be used to identify information. A standard UUID code contains 32 hex digits along with 4 “-” symbols, which makes its length equal to 36 characters. As mentioned in the templates, adding the UUID is only required for updates. It will be autogenerated by the system, if the information is added for the first time.
Please note that all APIs (Components, Product, Supplier, and Link-supplier) will use system generated IDs (UUID) for all entities with some exceptions (Offsetting, Factory Emissions, BOM, and Create PCF API's).
-
Component Identifier Type and Value/Column B: The header is customized according to what the Company Admin added in the Configure settings. This is the internal code your company uses to identify the components. One of the most used type is "SKU" (stock-keeping unit) which are assigned by the merchant is used for internal identification of inventory and sales. Another identifier type can be: CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service). The identifier type is received from the ERP systems and can be specific to company only. What you fill in this column is the Component Identifier Value: This is the code your company uses to identify the components. A combination of letters and numbers is used in this field. The identifier value is received from the ERP systems and stands together with the main component identifier type. This id allows the matching on both sides when PCF is requested from the supplier.
It is important to note that only Company Admins can add Component Identifier Type(s) via Configure > Procurement > Component Identifier Type section.
There will always be one mandatory identifier, determined by the Company Admin. This mandatory identifier will always appear as the first column in the Excel upload template, referred to as the "Main Identifier".
In cases, where the Company Admin introduces additional identifiers, these are included in the last column(s) in the Excel template. Importantly, these additional identifiers are not mandatory by default, but users have the flexibility to use them when needed.
- Component Name: The name of the component/material needs to be added in this field. This field allows up to 50 characters. Component name cannot contain <,>,(,),",”,= characters.
- Material Category: When adding the components list to Mattermaps, you can also create component categories. This way you can filter based on material / component category and request the PCF for all the components in the respective category at once.
- Unit Type: this field allows you to declare the component unit types. It needs to be selected from the dropdown option provided in the excel template. We offer piece, kg, m2, m3, kWh, km, TEU(twenty equipment unit - used in logistics), pkm (a passenger km), tkm (ton km - for unit measure of freight transport), MJ(megajoule - energy per unit time), L types.
- Weight (in kg): Weight should be added in kilograms.
Would you like to see details about a specific component? Simply select the desired component by clicking on the three dots on the left and clicking on Edit Component.
The Edit Component page provides an overview of your component. You can also here Add identifiers if needed from the list.
Once you are done with editing your components, don't forget to Save.
Your component is not linked to a supplier yet? Or would you like to create a link to another supplier? No problem - Follow along.
Link components to suppliers
Would you like to automatically include your suppliers' PCF into your BOM or recipe or simply want to request a PCF? Then you must link your components to your suppliers.
To do this, click on your desired component, and go to the Manage Suppliers button at the top right. Next up, click on Link existing supplier, this button will open a dialog window.. Select the supplier you want to link to this component here, save and you're done!
You have linked several suppliers to one component? Please enter the percentage of the delivery volume or share of each supplier in the Share column for the component. This is the only way to correctly determine the CO2 footprint of the component and thus also of your own products. A weighted average approach is taken to determine your Average Emissions for the component.
You can also link the same component to the same supplier but for different manufacturing locations. This is also helpful when wanting to request a site specific PCF.
Your supplier has not yet been created in Mattermaps? You can catch up on this quickly.
Best practice: It is best to also store the component ID of your supplier when linking. Mattermaps can then automatically assign your PCF request to the corresponding product in your supplier's view. This means less work for your supplier and a faster response for you.
Manage components
All created components of a material category can be seen in component overview. You can select one or multiple components by checking the box on the left side.
By selecting a component, you can click on the three dots on the right, then Edit Component. You also have the option to change component related information. The assignment of components to one or more of your products is made possible by identification numbers. You can add or edit more component identifiers in the list.
To delete your component, select it by clicking the check box in the left of the component and click on delete button. You can delete one or multiple components at once.
When we are uploading the components to the system, there are several fields which needs to be filled in. Let's take a look at these together:
Before we explain all the fields, it's good to know that if it's written in Bold in the excel sheet, this means the field is mandatory to fill in.
-
Component Universally Unique Identifier (UUID): This is an automatically generated ID, consisting of a 36-character alphanumeric string that can be used to identify information. A standard UUID code contains 32 hex digits along with 4 “-” symbols, which makes its length equal to 36 characters. As mentioned in the templates, adding the UUID is only required for updates. It will be autogenerated by the system, if the information is added for the first time.
Please note that all APIs (Components, Product, Supplier, and Link-supplier) will use system generated IDs (UUID) for all entities with some exceptions (Offsetting, Factory Emissions, BOM, and Create PCF API's).
-
Component Identifier Type and Value/Column B: The header is customized according to what the Company Admin added in the Configure settings. This is the internal code your company uses to identify the components. One of the most used type is "SKU" (stock-keeping unit) which are assigned by the merchant is used for internal identification of inventory and sales. Another identifier type can be: CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service). The identifier type is received from the ERP systems and can be specific to company only. What you fill in this column is the Component Identifier Value: This is the code your company uses to identify the components. A combination of letters and numbers is used in this field. The identifier value is received from the ERP systems and stands together with the main component identifier type. This id allows the matching on both sides when PCF is requested from the supplier.
It is important to note that only Company Admins can add Component Identifier Type(s) via Configure > Procurement > Component Identifier Type section.
There will always be one mandatory identifier, determined by the Company Admin. This mandatory identifier will always appear as the first column in the Excel upload template, referred to as the "Main Identifier".
In cases, where the Company Admin introduces additional identifiers, these are included in the last column(s) in the Excel template. Importantly, these additional identifiers are not mandatory by default, but users have the flexibility to use them when needed.
- Component Name: The name of the component/material needs to be added in this field. This field allows up to 50 characters. Component name cannot contain <,>,(,),",”,= characters.
- Material Category: When adding the components list to Mattermaps, you can also create component categories. This way you can filter based on material / component category and request the PCF for all the components in the respective category at once.
- Unit Type: this field allows you to declare the component unit types. It needs to be selected from the dropdown option provided in the excel template. We offer piece, kg, m2, m3, kWh, km, TEU(twenty equipment unit - used in logistics), pkm (a passenger km), tkm (ton km - for unit measure of freight transport), MJ(megajoule - energy per unit time), L types.
- Weight (in kg): Weight should be added in kilograms.
Would you like to see details about a specific component? Simply select the desired component by clicking on the three dots on the left and clicking on Edit Component.
The Edit Component page provides an overview of your component. You can also here Add identifiers if needed from the list.
Once you are done with editing your components, don't forget to Save.
Your component is not linked to a supplier yet? Or would you like to create a link to another supplier? No problem - Follow along.
Link components to suppliers
Would you like to automatically include your suppliers' PCF into your BOM or recipe or simply want to request a PCF? Then you must link your components to your suppliers.
To do this, click on your desired component, and go to the Manage Suppliers button at the top right. Next up, click on Link existing supplier, this button will open a dialog window.. Select the supplier you want to link to this component here, save and you're done!
You have linked several suppliers to one component? Please enter the percentage of the delivery volume or share of each supplier in the Share column for the component. This is the only way to correctly determine the CO2 footprint of the component and thus also of your own products. A weighted average approach is taken to determine your Average Emissions for the component.
You can also link the same component to the same supplier but for different manufacturing locations. This is also helpful when wanting to request a site specific PCF.
Your supplier has not yet been created in Mattermaps? You can catch up on this quickly.
Best practice: It is best to also store the component ID of your supplier when linking. Mattermaps can then automatically assign your PCF request to the corresponding product in your supplier's view. This means less work for your supplier and a faster response for you.
My component in detail
Would you like to see details about a specific component? Simply select the desired component by clicking on the three dots on the left and clicking on Edit Component.
The Edit Component page provides an overview of your component. You can also here Add identifiers if needed from the list.
Once you are done with editing your components, don't forget to Save.
Your component is not linked to a supplier yet? Or would you like to create a link to another supplier? No problem - Follow along.
Link components to suppliers
Would you like to automatically include your suppliers' PCF into your BOM or recipe or simply want to request a PCF? Then you must link your components to your suppliers.
To do this, click on your desired component, and go to the Manage Suppliers button at the top right. Next up, click on Link existing supplier, this button will open a dialog window.. Select the supplier you want to link to this component here, save and you're done!
You have linked several suppliers to one component? Please enter the percentage of the delivery volume or share of each supplier in the Share column for the component. This is the only way to correctly determine the CO2 footprint of the component and thus also of your own products. A weighted average approach is taken to determine your Average Emissions for the component.
You can also link the same component to the same supplier but for different manufacturing locations. This is also helpful when wanting to request a site specific PCF.
Your supplier has not yet been created in Mattermaps? You can catch up on this quickly.
Best practice: It is best to also store the component ID of your supplier when linking. Mattermaps can then automatically assign your PCF request to the corresponding product in your supplier's view. This means less work for your supplier and a faster response for you.