This FAQ blog deals with questions related to the partnership of SAP Asset Intelligence Network (SAP AIN) and the classification content provider eCl@ss. Main aspects are how the eCl@ss classification is made available in SAP AIN, how customers can get access to the eCl@ss classification content in SAP AIN, and what to do if you are missing eCl@ss classification content either in SAP AIN or in eCl@ss.

See Also: Blog on Classification Standards in SAP Intelligent Asset Management.

General Questions

What is eCl@ss?

eCl@ss is a cross-industry product-data standard for the classification and unique description of products and services.

For more information on the company and the standard, please refer to the official eCl@ss Web pages (https://www.eclass.eu).

How does SAP Asset Intelligence Network (SAP AIN) work with eCl@ss?

SAP Asset Intelligence Network (SAP AIN) and eCl@ss have a partnership, and eCl@ss acts as a Content Provider in SAP AIN. This means that eCl@ss is a participant in the network. and eCl@ss classification objects get created by eCl@ss in their account and will be shared by eCl@ss with their licensees in the network.

Content-Related Questions

Which eCl@ss version is available with SAP AIN?

eCl@ss version 10.1 is currently loaded.

Which eCl@ss objects will be available in SAP AIN?

eCl@ss classification objects will be loaded as SAP AIN Template objects, i.e. classes, subclasses, attribute groups, attributes and – where applicable – model templates.

In the beginning the following eCl@ss segments will be available in the productive landscape:

– Segment 19 (Information, communication and media technology)

– Segment 23 (Machine element, fixing, mounting)

– Segment 27 (Electric engineering, automation, process control engineering)

– Segment 36 (Machine, apparatus)

– Segment 37 (Industrial piping)

More segments will be made available in upcoming releases. The sequence/priority of additional segments will be decided based on customer requests (see below)

It looks like eCl@ss is currently only available in English language? Will there be other languages available?

Yes, eCl@ss classification will be made available in language German in the next possible release. Further languages are planned to be made available consecutively.

What can I do if I need additional segments in the SAP AIN productive landscape?

Please create an incident under component IOT-AIN-CON and request the segment you need. eCl@ss will then upload the requested segment(s) as soon as possible.

Note: You should only create such a segment request for eCl@ss if you already have an eCl@ss license (see LICENSING section below).

What can I do if I need additional classification content in eCl@ss?

Missing content can be requested from eCl@ss. Please follow the general process of submitting Change Requests to the eCl@ss standard (refer to http://wiki.eclass.eu/wiki/Change_Request). For questions please contact directly eCl@ss Office: info@eclass.de

Licensing Questions

Does eCl@ss classification content come for free with SAP AIN?

A subset of eCl@ss structural elements will be made available for a free Trial in the Test and Demo system. The classification content (= eCl@ss segments) which is available as free trial are:

– Segment 19 (Information, communication and media technology)

– Segment 27 (Electric engineering, automation, process control engineering)

– Segment 36 (Machine, apparatus)

– Segment 37 (Industrial piping)

To use this free trial content, please create a connection request with eCl@ss e.V. in the Test and Demo system. eCl@ss will then trigger the sharing of the free trial content for your account. For productive use – i.e. in SAP AIN Production landscape – you require a dedicated license from eCl@ss to be able to model business objects using eCl@ss content.

Note: There will be no migration possible from the free trial version to the productive system.

How can I license eCl@ss and what are the costs?

Licensing of eCl@ss classification content is handled by eCl@ss. You can view the available licensing models on the eCl@ss Web site (https://www.eclass.eu/en/purchase-a-license/download-fee.html).

For direct inquiries regarding the exact licensing options for your company, please directly contact the eCl@ss office (info@eclass.de).

My company already has an eCl@ss license. Can I use this for SAP AIN as well?

eCl@ss will share their objects with their licensees based on their customer list. So, if you already have an eCl@ss license this will also be valid for use of eCl@ss in SAP AIN.

As an eCl@ss licensee, please create a connection request with eCl@ss e.V. in the Production system. eCl@ss will then trigger the sharing of their content for your account. For any license-related questions (including eCl@ss sharing via SAP AIN) you can also contact eCl@ss directly (e-mail: info@eclass.de).

I have a Premium account in SAP AIN, and I want my Invitee accounts to create classification content based on eCl@ss classification. Will my Invitees need an own eCl@ss license for this?

If objects are to be modelled based on eCl@ss classification objects a dedicated eCl@ss license is required independent of the SAP AIN account type. Therefore, Invitees who model objects in SAP AIN based on eCl@ss classification content need an own eCl@ss license.