Compatibility Rules

Compatibility rules can be used for additional control in the selection process. They are created using variables that represent conditions of service entered by the Selector user or calculated by the Selector. The rules drive the selection process to produce the best results from an array of possibilities. They can be applied to different levels of the selection process, including curves, product lines, pump sizes, and performance options.

Compatibility rule fields are located in tables throughout the SKB. A compatibility rule generator is provided for entering rules and is accessed by ”doubling clicking” in a compatibility rule cell. Click this image to see an example of the compatibility rule generator.

Note: Correct syntax is necessary to create valid compatibility rules. Expressions must be contained in square brackets [ ]. A validation check is provided to validate rules.

The examples below describe some basic uses for compatibility rules and demonstrate how they are populated in the SKB. Use these as a guide to generate compatibility rules for your organization.

A rule is required for the Selector to use different curves based on the frequency chosen by the user.

For this example, a rule is required to define which curves should be used for 50hz and which should be used for 60hz. The rules will be applied at the curve level. Click here to view the example.

Open the General Curve Table under the curve family for which the rules are to be defined.
Navigate to the compatibility rule field for the curve number the rule is to be applied.
Double click in cell to display the compatibility rule generator.
In the rule generator:

In the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section: click in then enter an open square bracket [. Note: Expressions must be contained in square brackets to be valid.
In the "Variables" section: double click the variable HzUser. The variable will be placed in the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section.
In the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section: click in then enter the equal sign = .
In the "Valid Variable Values" section: double click the value for the rule. The value will be placed in the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section.
In the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section: click in then enter a closed square bracket ] . Click this image to see how the rule should look for 50hz .
Click Validate Rule.
Click OK to accept and exit rule generator. (The rule will be now be visible in the compatibility rule field for the curve number).

Click to save the data.
Repeat the steps for all applicable curves. Hint: Use copy and paste for curves using identical rules.

The Selector is required to limit a product line to cast iron material and a COS search for "all materials".

For this example a rule is required to limit the acceptable minimum required materials for a product line to "All" and "Cast Iron". This example assumes that a subcategory for material exists and cast iron is a material option. The ID's "MatMin-All" and "MatMin-CI" are defined in the "Minimum required materials" table to allow the user to select them when defining conditions during the selection process. The rules however will be applied at the product line options level. Click here to view the example.

Open the Product Line Options Table under the subcategory for material (SC-Mtl) for the product line for which the rules are to be defined.
Navigate to the compatibility rule field for the cast iron material option.
Double click in the cell to display the compatibility rule generator.
In the rule generator:

In the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section: "click in" then enter an open square bracket [ . Note: Expressions must be contained in square brackets to be valid.
In the "Variables" section: double click on MaterialMin. The variable will be placed in the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section.
In the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section: enter the remaining rule text ="MatMin-All"] OR ['MaterialMin'="MatMin-CI"]. Note: MaterialMin could have been selected from the variable list when entering the rule for cast iron instead of typing it in as suggested above. Click this image to see how the completed rule should look .
Click Validate Rule.
Click OK to accept and exit rule generator. (The rule will be now be visible in the compatibility rule field for the option).

Click to save the data.

The Selector is required to limit specific pump size selections to liquid temperatures of 500 degrees F or less.

For this example a rule is required to limit specific pump size selections based on the liquid temperature. The rules will be defined at the pump size level. Click here to view the example.

Open the Pump Size Table under the product line for which the rules are to be defined.
Navigate to the compatibility rule field for a specific pump size.
Double click in the cell to display the compatibility rule generator.
In the rule generator:

In the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section: "click in" and enter an open square bracket [ . Note: Expressions must be contained in square brackets to be valid.
In the "Variables" section: double click variable TempLiquidMax. The variable will be placed in the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section.
In the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section after the variable enter the following: <=500].
Click Validate Rule. Click this image to see how the rule should look .
Click OK to accept and exit rule generator. (The rule will be now be visible in the compatibility rule field for the pump size).

Repeat steps 2-4 as necessary or use copy and paste to populate the remaining applicable pump sizes. Click this image to see a complete example.
Click to save the data.

A rule is required for the Selector to limit a product line material selection to diesel or lube oil liquid. The diesel liquid has a temperature limit of less than or equal to 60 C and the lube oil liquid limit is 80 C. Additionally the product line material must be acceptable for an ”All liquids” criteria search.

For this example a rule is required for a product line material to limit the liquids (with temperature limits) to diesel or lube oil. The rule must also include criteria for an acceptable all liquids search. This example assumes the liquids table includes the liquids: All (Liq-Other), Diesel (Liq-Diesel), and Liquid-Lube Oil (Liq-LubeOil). The rules will be applied at the product line options level. Click here to view the example.

Open the Product Line Options Table under the subcategory for material (SC-Mtl) for the product line for which the rules are to be defined.
Navigate to the compatibility rule field for the material option to be restricted.
Double click in the cell to display the compatibility rule generator.
In the rule generator:

In the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section: "click in" then enter an open square bracket [ . Note: Expressions must be contained in square brackets to be valid.
In the "Variables" section: double click on LiquidType. The variable will be placed in the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section.
In the "Enter Compatibility Rule" section: enter the remaining rule text ="Liq-Other"] OR (['LiquidType'="Liq-Diesel"] AND ['TempLiquidMax'<=60]) OR (['LiquidType'="Liq-LubeOil"] AND ['TempLiquidMax'<=80])]. Note: LiquidType and TempLiquidMax could have been selected from the variable list when entering the rule instead of manually entering it in as suggested above. Click this image to see how the completed rule should look .
Click Validate Rule.
Click OK to accept and exit rule generator. (The rule will be now be visible in the compatibility rule field for the option).

Click to save the data.