A Package Category provides the ability to create different packages for different purposes like Office, Purchasing, Shop, and Field work. Package categories accommodate workflows where the same part or assembly needs to be included in multiple packages. A part or assembly can not be included in more than one package within the same package category. A package category is required for all new packages. In addition, company level Package Category Automation is facilitated by using the features Generate on Tracking Status for generating reports when a tracking status changes, Duration Days (M-F) for calculated Start Dates related to scheduling, Shop Hours Estimated to estimate shop hours, and to Configure Company Level BOM Settings for a Package Category.

New Package Category (Basic)

To create a Package Category with basic non-automated values:

Go to Admin > Company > Package Categories. The "basic" package category values are highlighted below. The other columns are described in separate sections.
1. Name– The Package Category name is the name that will display in the Category drop-down list when a new package is created. See the next step for examples.
2. Description (Optional) – A description of the package category to clarify how the category will be used.
3. Abbreviation – The package category abbreviation can be used as part of the automated package naming referenced under Admin > Company > Naming and Numbering > Naming Conventions.
4. Use Assemblies – STRATUS understands parts, assemblies, and packages. Different parts and assemblies can be included in one or more packages. For example, design and fabrication packages should include assemblies, but, purchasing would want packages that include individual parts, not assemblies. Let’s say you have a run of pipe that has been packaged.
  1. When checked the package will recognize the assemblies and will remove the individual parts from the package.
  2. When unchecked the package will recognize the individual parts in the package. As a result, a procurement package can be created for all valves, but other connected parts in the assembly will be ignored.
5. Use Containers - A company doesn't want every package to be exposed to a Container. See the Containers Assign article for more information.
  1. When checked and a package is created using the associated package category, the package will display in the Containers > Assign > Package drop-down.
  2. When unchecked and a package is created using the associated package category, the package will not display in the Containers > Assign > Package drop-down.
6. Delete a Package Category - When deleting a Package Category, a prompt will display to re-assign packages to another Package Category. Note: The new Package Category must have the same “Use Assemblies” settings as the one being deleted.
Once created, a Package Category is selected during the package creation process:
1. Under Models > Viewer > Actions > Packages > New
2. Under Packages > Dashboard > New Package
Package Categories are used to filter packages on the following pages:
1. Models > Viewer > Display Mode > Packages > Select Package Category (Ex. Fabrication Production).
2. Click the Normal tab when done viewing to return the default color of the viewer.
3. Packages Dashboard
4. Packages Schedule
5. Packages Status Board

Generate on Tracking Status (Automation)

Reports can be defined and generated at the the Company level using Package Categories. The Generate on Tracking Status section will generate reports (Ex. MAJ, PCF, or Report (selected) for the associated Package Category when the tracking status changes to a specific tracking status.

Generate on Tracking Status (BOM)

Continued automation development when a package’s tracking status changes configured on the Admin > Company > Package Categories page. This time a package BOM can be automatically generated.

To generate a BOM report for a Package Category when the Tracking Status changes:

For the Package Category (Ex. BOM Trigger) click the associated BOM link.
The Generate on Tracking Status drop-down will display.
Select a Tracking Status (Ex. Spooled).
Change the Tracking Status of any package that uses the associated Package Category (Ex. BOM Trigger) to the selected Tracking Status (Ex. Spooled). This tracking status change can be anywhere a package tracking status can be changed (Ex. Packages > BOM, Packages > Tracking, Packages Dashboard, etc.).
A BOM will be automatically be generated and will display on the Package’s BOM tab. It will take time to generate the BOM depending on the number of parts.
Note: This automatically generated BOM only occurs once when no existing BOM has been previously been generated for the package. If a BOM exists for the package and the package’s tracking status is changed to the tracking status that normally triggers a BOM, a new or 2nd BOM will not be generated.

Generate on Tracking Status (Cut Lists)

Continued automation development when a package’s tracking status changes configured on the Admin > Company > Package Categories page. This time a package Cut List can be automatically generated.

To generate a Cut List report for a Package Category when the Tracking Status changes:

For the Package Category (Ex. Cut List Trigger) click the associated Cut List link.
The Generate on Tracking Status drop-down will display.
Select a Tracking Status (Ex. Issued for Fabrication).
Change the Tracking Status of any package that uses the associated Package Category (Ex. Cut List Trigger) to the selected Tracking Status (Ex. Issued for Fabrication). This tracking status change can be anywhere a package tracking status can be changed (Ex. Packages > Tracking, Packages Dashboard, etc.).
A Cut List will be automatically be generated and will display on the Package’s Cut Lists tab. It will take time to generate the Cut List depending on the number of parts.
Note: This automatically generated Cut List only occurs once when no existing Cut List has been previously been generated for the package. If a Cut List exists for the package and the package’s tracking status is changed to the tracking status that normally triggers a Cut List, a new or 2nd Cut List will not be generated.

Generate on Tracking Status (MAJ)

To generate a MAJ report for a Package Category when the Tracking Status changes:

For the Package Category (Ex. FAB - Mechanical Piping) click the associated MAJ link.
The Generate on Tracking Status drop-down will display.
Select a Tracking Status (Ex. Packaged).
When the Tracking Status of any package that uses the associated Package Category (Ex. FAB - Mechanical Piping) is changed to the selected Tracking Status (Ex. Packaged), a MAJ file will be automatically generated and saved as a package attachment. It will take time to generate the attachment depending on the file size.

Generate on Tracking Status (PCF)

To generate a PCF report for a Package Category when the Tracking Status changes:

For the Package Category (Ex. FAB - Mechanical Piping) click the associated PCF link.
The Generate on Tracking Status drop-down will display.
Select a Tracking Status (Ex. Packaged).
When the Tracking Status of any package that uses the associated Package Category (Ex. FAB - Mechanical Piping) is changed to the selected Tracking Status (Ex. Packaged), a PCF file will be automatically generated and saved as a package attachment. It will take time to generate the attachment depending on the file size.

Generate on Tracking Status (Report)

To generate one or more Report attachments (CSV/PDF/ZPL) for a Package Category when the Tracking Status changes:

For the Package Category (Ex. FAB - Mechanical Piping) click the numeric value associated with the Report link.
Note: The numeric value indicates how many reports are triggered for the associated Package Category.
The Generate Reports for *Package Category* dialog will display.
Click the New Trigger button. A new row will display.
1. Select the Tracking Status change that will trigger the report generation for a package using the associated Package Category.
2. Select a Report that will automatically generate and display in the Package’s > Attachments tab.
  1. Note: The list of Reports (right) is restricted to Reports whose Package Viewer checkbox is checked (left). Reports whose Item Type is Master Report, Package, Package Details, Assembly, or Part and whose Package Viewer checkbox is checked will be available.
Click Save.
To auto generate the report from anywhere a package tracking status can be changed, identify a package associated with the Package Category Report Trigger defined above (Ex. Category = Fabrication Production).
Change the Tracking Status to the one selected in the Report Trigger (Ex. Cut). Refresh the page until the report display in the package’s attachment tab.

Duration Days (M-F) Company Level Configuration (Automation)

Summary

The Company level Package Categories Duration Days feature offers calculated initial Start Dates for package phases. For each Package Category, Duration Days can be set for each phase (Office, Purchasing, Shop, and Field). When a new package is created, STRATUS will check to see if the selected package category includes Duration dates at the Company level (below), and then at the Duration Days Project Level Configuration (which would override the Company settings). In addition, initial Start Dates can be edited at the package level.

To configure Duration Days for a package category:

Under Admin > Company > Package Categories, the Purchasing Days columns will display.
1. Phases - A Duration Day can be set for each Phase and for each Package Category. Phases are also used in Division (Admin) and Tracking Statuses (Admin).
  1. Office - Detailing Start Date
  2. Purchasing - Purchasing Start Date
  3. Shop - Fabrication Start Date
  4. Field - Field Date
2. Duration Day - A Duration day is a business day Monday thru Friday. In the current calculation, weekends are excluded while public holidays are included as a business day. For example, if a Start Date for Purchasing Phase is 9/1/2021 and the Duration Day is set to 21, the Start Date for the Shop Phase will be 9/29/2021 where 4 Saturdays and 4 Sundays were excluded, and the public holiday 9/6/2021 was not excluded.
Edit the value associated with the phase.
For the Duration Day to be applied to a package during the create package process:
1. Package Category (required) - The package category that includes Duration Days for one or more phases must be selected.
2. Phase (optional) - Phase defaults to On Site, but can be changed to a particular Phase. Selecting a phase will only denote which Start Date will be set with the Start Date entered (below). Initial Start Dates will populate the other Phases based on the Duration Days calculations.
3. Start Date (optional) - The Start Date is used to set the Start Date of the selected Phase. If a Start Date is not entered, all Phase Start Dates will be empty.
  1. The meaning of On Site is defined by your company.
  2. On the Packages > Dashboard, the Required Date = On Site date.
4. Note: Duration - If the Package Category selected includes Duration (days), then those Phase Start Dates will be calculated based on the Start Date of the selected Phase (#2).
See the Package Planning / Actual article for more information.

Edit Duration Days

The Confirm Save dialog will display when editing Duration Days at the company and project level.

After updating a Package Category > Duration Day:

Click the Save button.
The Confirm Save modal will display.
1. Apply to Existing Packages w/o Duration Days
  1. This option will recalculate package durations that have at least one “Empty” start/end phase date for the specific Package Category/Planning Phase.
  2. Note: For this to trigger and recalculate, their must be at least one start date in the planning phase of the package.
2. Apply to All Existing Packages
  1. This option will recalculate ALL existing package durations across the project that have duration days.
3. Do Not Apply to Existing Packages
  1. This option will not recalculate any package durations within the project.
Select an option and Save.

Package Reporting

Package Creation Report

Additional Fields are used to enter or display package data while creating new packages or viewing existing packages. Additional Fields are Editable Fields that have been added to a report under Report > Report Fields. The report is associated with a Package Category under Admin > Company > Package Categories when it is selected in the Package Creation Report column.

Note: Prior to this updated feature, these fields were named “Custom Fields” and the criteria for display included all editable fields from all Package Dashboard reports that were not hidden in the report.

See the end of this section for examples of Additional Fields.

To control which Fields display in the Additional Fields section:

Fields - Under Admin > Company > Fields, identify or create one or more editable fields. See the Is Editable checkbox in the Fields (Admin) article for more information.
Report - Under Admin > Company > Reports, identify or create a report that includes:
1. Report Item Type = Package.
2. Editable Fields - One or more editable fields (step #1).
3. Checkbox - The checkboxes (Model Viewer, Package Viewer, Packages Dashboard) do not need to be checked, but can be checked if the report needs to display.
4. Hidden (Unchecked) - A Report Field that needs to display as an Additional Field cannot have the Hidden checkbox checked for the selected report.
5. Sort Index - The Sort Index is not applied to the fields in the Additional Fields section.
Package Creation Report - Under Admin > Company > Package Categories, identify a Package Category that will use the fields from step #1 and #2 above. Select the report in the Package Category’s Package Creation Report property.
1. Note (Empty) - For any Package Category whose Package Creation Report is Empty, the Additional Fields sections will be populated with STRATUS.Field.* fields that meet all of the following rules:
  1. Is Editable (Checked) - Under Admin Company > Fields, the field’s Is Editable checkbox is checked.
  2. Report Item Type = Package - The fields from above have been added to any report whose Item Type is Package.
  3. Hidden (Unchecked) - The fields added to the report(s) above do not have the Hidden checkbox checked.
Examples of Where Additional Fields Display
1. Package Creation - Package Creation under Models Viewer > Actions > Packages > Selected Package Category (step #3), or, Packages Viewer > Actions > Packages > Selected Package Category (step #3). Note: Additional Fields and Estimating Information fields update dynamically as parts are added to the package.
2. Package Creation - Package Creation under Packages > Dashboard > New Package > Selected Package Category (step #3).
3. Package > Properties > Additional Fields - For a package associated with the Package Category (step #3), open a package’s > Properties tab. The Additional Fields should match the report.

Default Assembly Report

The Default Assembly Report option enables administrators to select a default report to display when loading an assembly for the first time in the Assemblies > Viewer. The selected report is associated with a specific Package Category. Therefore the default report will only apply to assemblies included in packages within the Package Category.

To use the Default Assembly Report:

Report - Under Admin > Company > Reports, identify or create a report that will be the default report when an assembly loads for the first time under Assemblies > Viewer > Parts > Report. The report needs to include:
1. Report Item Type = Part
2. Assembly Viewer = Checked
Default Assembly Report - Under Admin > Company > Package Categories, identify a Package Category (Ex. Mechanical Piping Fabrication) that will use the report identified in step #1. Select the report (Ex. CSG _ Pipework _ Spool BOM) in the Package Category’s Default Assembly Report property.
Identify a package whose Package Category (Ex. Mechanical Piping Fabrication) was configured in step #2.
Open an assembly from that package for the first time. The Assemblies > Viewer > Parts > Report will be the Default Assembly Report selected (Ex. CSG _ Pipework _ Spool BOM) in step #2. If the user chooses to change the report, the last viewed report for that assembly will display on subsequent page refreshes.

For various scenarios, the order of operations is as follows:

Example above - If an assembly is associated with a singular package whose Package Category has the Use Assemblies checkbox checked, the assembly will use the Default Assembly Report as configured under Admin > Company > Package Categories > Default Assembly Report.
If an assembly is associated with more than one package whose Package Category has the Use Assemblies checkbox checked, it will use the Default Assembly Report as configured under Admin > Company > Package Categories > Default Assembly Report for the package that it is being opened from.
If the assembly is not associated with a package, it will default to current functionality and use the “Assembly Filter” in reports to select which report should be used upon first view.

Estimating and Advanced Estimating

Estimating

At the Company level, the Estimating field column can be configured to display shop data (Ex. estimated hours) when creating a new package and/or in a Package's Properties. An Estimating field cannot be used when Advanced Estimating is enabled for the Package Category.

To automatically estimate hours for other project phases (Office, Purchasing, Field as well as Shop), see the Advanced Estimating section.

To automatically generate estimated hours for the Shop Phase from the model based on the package category and a report field:

Go to Admin > Company > Package Categories.
Configure the Estimating by selecting an existing STRATUS.Field. Do not click the Advanced checkbox. In this example, the field STRATUS.Field.Actual Hours Spent was selected for the Fabrication Release Package Category.
Under Models > Viewer > Actions > Packages, in the create new package dialog, select the configured package category (Ex. Fabrication Release). The Field set for Estimating (above) correlates to the Shop (below) and will initially be 0 until parts are selected in the model. As parts are selected in the model, the Estimating data will be calculated as each part or a group of parts is selected.
Once saved, the Estimating data under Package’s Properties > Planning will display the calculated value. Note: The Hours (Estimated) for other Phases (Office, Purchasing, Field) can be manually edited and the Total will recalculate.

Advanced Estimating

At the Company level, the Advanced Estimating section provides the ability to automatically calculate estimated values (Hours, Weights, Lengths, etc.) using existing STRATUS.Field.* for all project phases (Ex. Office, Purchasing, Shop, and Field). Alternatively, the Estimating column is tied to the Shop. See the Estimating for more information.

Under Admin > Company > Package Categories, for any Package Category, click the Advanced Estimating checkbox. The Advanced Estimating section will display a column for all four project phases (Ex. Office, Purchasing, Shop, and Field).
For any phase or phases, select a Field to calculate the Advanced Estimating data to be calculated. In the example below, Advanced Estimating is checked for the Mechanical Piping Fabrication Package Category and a Field was selected for each Phase except Office.
1. Notes:
  1. Empty - When a Phase is Empty (Ex. Office), it means that data can be manually entered while the package is being created or in the Package’s > Properties > Planning area.
  2. Advanced - If an Estimating Field had been selected for the Mechanical Piping Fabrication Package Category, now that Advanced Estimating has been selected and a Field has been selected for the Shop Advanced Estimating column, the Estimating column changes to Advanced so that Advanced Estimating settings takes precedence.
Once set, under Models > Viewer > Actions > Packages > New:
1. With the Mechanical Piping Fabrication Package Category selected, Estimating Information initially displays 0 for all Package Phases.
2. As parts are selected in the model, the Advanced Estimate values are calculated and the Total is recalculated. Similarly, as parts are removed the estimate values are recalculated.
Enter a manual estimate (Ex. Purchasing) and the Total value will recalculate.
Save the package and open the Package’s > Properties tab. The Hours (Estimated) values will display in the Planning table.

User Data Fields

15 User Data fields can be added to Advanced Estimating under Admin > Company > Package Categories. These User Data fields display and update dynamically in the package creation dialog.

These fields can make information available to the user as they make packages so they can make better decisions about size and scope and preview dashboard report information before the package is created.
The User Data Field column names use the Display Name under Admin > Company > Fields. If no display name has been entered the full name of the field expression will display.
The data shown in the User Data fields updates dynamically as parts are selected and removed prior creating the package.
After the package has been created, any addition or removal of parts forces the User Data fields to recalculate.
Switching the Package Category after a package has been created forces the User Data fields to recalculate.
Boolean and “drop-down list” fields (includes Possible Values) can be edited during the package creation process.

To use User Data Fields:

Under Admin > Company > Package Categories, for any Package Category, click the Advanced Estimating checkbox.
The Advanced Estimating section will display a column for all four project phases and includes the Add User Data button. Only package category rows where the Advanced Estimating checkbox has been checked can be edited (indicated by the row being highlighted in yellow).
Click the Add User Data button. The User Data # column will be inserted.
Click the User Data drop-down and select a field. Available fields include:
1. STRATUS.Company.*
2. STRATUS.Project.*
3. STRATUS.Package.*
4. STRATUS.Field.*
Continue to add User Data fields as needed. In the example below, there are 3 User Data fields populated for the Package Category = Mechanical Piping Fabrication, but up to15 User Data fields can be added.
During the package creation process with the Package Category = Mechanical Piping Fabrication, the User Data fields will display in the Estimating Information section.
1. With no parts added to the package yet, all fields display 0.
2. Note: The “Estimating Information” was previously labeled “Hours Estimated” since more than hours can be included.
3. As parts are added to the package, the User Data fields dynamically populate.

BOM Settings

At the Company level, BOM Settings control the BOM report table for each Package BOM including the columns that display, how rows are consolidated, and how data is grouped. With BOM Settings controlled at the company level, a company can standardize how the BOM Report table displays data for each Package Category. These BOM Settings can be overridden within individual Package BOMs.

BOM Settings can be edited in the following areas:

Admin > Company > Package Categories > BOM Settings (This article)
Package’s > BOM > BOM Settings (See the BOM Settings article for more information)

Configure Company Level BOM Settings for a Package Category

BOM Settings set here at the Package Category level are the same as those set at the Package Level. See the Package BOM Settings article for more information.

To configure company level BOM Settings for a Package Category:

Go to Admin > Company > Package Categories.
In the BOM Settings column, click the settings gear to display the company-level BOM Settings defaults for the selected Package Category.
Initially, the default settings include the following:
1. Ignore Zero Quantity Line Items - Unchecked
2. Auto Consolidate - Checked
3. Auto Linear Nest - Checked
4. Ignore Ancillaries - Checked
5. Unconsolidated Units of Measure - Empty
6. Group By - Empty
7. Columns - By default, all columns except for Ancillary Type, Ancillary Usage Type, Nominal Stock Length (In), Service Name, and Service Code are checked.
When a Package BOM associated with the Package Category is opened under Packages > BOM, the default BOM Settings will be applied unless the Package BOM’s settings have been previously changed.

Override Package Category BOM Settings for an Individual BOM

To Override Package Category BOM Settings for an Individual BOM:

Open a Package’s > BOM.
Click the BOM Settings gear icon button. The package’s current default BOM Settings will display. In this example, the current BOM Settings correspond to the Fabrication Production Package Category default settings.
Edit any setting and the dialog title will change to [PackageName] BOM Settings where PackageName is the name of the selected Package. This indicates that the Package Category Default BOM Settings have been uniquely overridden.
Click the Save button to save.
Open a Package BOM where the BOM Settings have been overridden. In this example, the Not Purchased column does not display in the BOM report table.
1. Before BOM Setting default override:
After BOM Setting default override the Not Purchased column does not display.

MAJ

MAJ Filters

Create package MAJ files based on one or more Filters. With this feature multiple MAJ files can be created based on a filter so that some items can go to the coil line and other items to a plasma table. This eliminates the need to create separate packages.

Create one or more filters under Admin > Company > Filter. In this example, the 2 filters both use the CutType Property, but the value is DecoiledStraight for one and MachineCut for the other. Note: The filter name will be used to name the generated MAJ file.
1. Apply the filter to a package category under Admin > Company > Package Categories.
2. Under MAJ Filters, click New MAJ Filter to add one or more filters.
3. If a report is selected for MAJ under Generate on Tracking Status, the generated reports will apply the MAJ Filters.
4. When generated, the MAJ files will display in the package’s Attachments tab.

MAJ QR

The intent of this setting is to force QR codes that are imported into either CAMDuct or ESTmep to be assigned based on the package category that is checked in the MAJ QR column of the Package Categories tab of the Company Admin. A use case for this setting is if you create a single package for all sheet metal in an area but then use MAJs to break them out by fabrication type using different package categories. When the import commands run in CAMDuct and ESTmep, this serves to apply the correct package QR code URL to the parts.

STRATUS Knowledge Base

Package Categories (Admin)