What is changing?
Starting in October, we’re updating how Item Data Sheets and Specifications work together.
Today, product data may be maintained in both the Item Data Sheet and its associated Specification, creating duplicate work and increasing the risk of conflicting information.
With this change, when an Item is associated with a Specification, that shared data will be managed on the Specification, making it the single source of truth.
Why are we making this change?
Specifications are intended to be the governed source for approved product data. Maintaining the same information in multiple places can make it difficult to know which record is current and reliable.
By bringing Item Data Sheet and Specification data together, TraceGains will provide one governed location for maintaining, reviewing, and trusting the most current product data.
What will happen to my existing data?
TraceGains will automatically connect existing Item Data Sheets and Specifications based on the current state of each record:
- Approved Specifications and approved Item Data Sheets will be connected.
- In-process records will be connected to the appropriate in-process Specification or Data Sheet when one already exists.
- If needed, a new in-process Specification may be created so existing Data Sheet information can be connected without changing an approved Specification.
- Archived Specifications and Data Sheets will remain unchanged.
This process happens automatically. You do not need to manually move or re-enter your existing data.
What will I see after the change?
If an Item is associated with a Specification, selecting the Data Sheet tab from the Item will redirect you to the Data Sheet on the associated Specification.
The first time this happens, a message will explain the redirect. You can choose to skip this dialog in the future if you don't want to see the message again.
Items without an associated Specification will continue to use the Item Data Sheet as they do today.
Will the Item Data Sheet change?
No. The Data Sheet itself is not changing and will continue to include the same tabs, attributes, and layout.
Once an Item is associated with a Specification, that Item Data Sheet will be available as a tab on the Specification with its existing data and functionality.
What happens to version history?
Once an Item Data Sheet is connected to a Specification, the Specification version will become the primary version going forward.
If the Item Data Sheet already has previous versions, that history will be preserved. You'll still be able to review past Data Sheet versions through the Data Sheet Version History.
Is the Specification creation process changing?
No. You will continue to create Specifications and associate them with Items using the same process you use today.