Managed Collections and Workflows

[GregOlson]

One requirement we have is for a document that is part of a workflow to be automatically added to a preexisting Managed Collection. Is there a way to automatically do this? The managed collection would be the same name as the document...for instance:

WTDoc is named rwy-00888, it would need to be added to the Managed Collection of the same name.

Thanks in advance,

Greg Olson

[GregOlson · Accepted solution]

Logged a case with PTC...they supplied java code to add to an expression robot. I can supply code upon request.

[ptc-5445807]

Hello Greg,

Glad that you found your answer. I have a query, can you possibly describe what are you using the managed collections for. Want to understand the industry use cases for this functionality.

[GregOlson]

Ravi,

We are using MCs to group items together for customer manuals. When a BOM is entered into our ERP system that same BOM is collected in a MC for that specific unit. To the collection we add drawings, inspection reports, technical manuals, shipping docs, and anything else that pertains to that specific unit. It's a great place to group data together for future reference....no more searching in folders across the network.

We have customized the MC UI to include:

• Exporting list to excel
• Windchill batch print
• Code that displays description 1 & 2 from a drawings associated EPM assembly (helps any user find what they are looking for).
• Code that displays true latest (this is used when copying contents of a MC for use in a new MC)

Now I just want to state that we might not be using them as PTC intended and maybe baselines might have been a better choice, but they work great for us so far.

[ptc-5445807]

Greg,

Thanks a lot for the details. I think PTC too intended the collections for the same purpose as baselines lock the versions and are more of time based snapshots.

In fact, we were debating the pros and cons of useing Folders, Packages and Collections for this purpose hence my query asking for more details.