In this subsection of the “Administration” section you can create gobally available validation rules. Using validation rules you can define automated validity checks for the imported item data of a catalog. Learn more
Set up validation rules
In order to set up a new validation rule as a global validator, proceed as follows:
- Select a rule type from the menu.
- Click on the
button to call up the corresponding dialog box.
- Enter a name for the validation rule in the input field “Title”.
- Possibly enter a short description in the input field “Description”.
- Possibly tick the “Activate rule” checkbox to activate the rule.
- Possibly tick the “External rule” checkbox to define the rule as an external rule so that the validation result is also visible in iPIM SSP.
- Configure the rule as desired. The configuration options depend on the selected rule tpye.
- Determine the behaviour in case of an unsuccessful validation. In order to do so, select the appropriate option from the “Result of validation rule hits” menu:
- Error: The corresponding items are marked as invalid.
- Warning: The corresponding items are flagged with a warning.
- Possibly configure a test run and carry it out in order to check if the configuration of the rule is valid.
- In order to finish the configuration, click on the
button. If the process was successful, a corresponding message will appear. The validation rule is now configured. - In order to cancel the process, click on the
button.
Allocate catalog types
In order to allocate a validation rule to a catalog type so that the rule is applied to related catalogs of this type during their transformation process, proceed as follows:
- In the table row of the validation rule, click on the
button to call up the corresponding dialog box.
- Select the catalog type(s):
- In order to select a catalog type, choose the catalog from the menu. Following this, a chip that bears the name of the catalog type is shown.
- In order to select and additional catalog type, choose the catalog type from the menu. Following this, another chip that bears the name of the catalog type is shown.
- In order to deselect a catalog type, click on the
icon in the chip of the catalog type.
- In order to finish the process, click on the button. If the process was successful, a corresponding message will appear. The validation rule is now allocated to the selected catalog type.
- In order to cancel the process, click on the button.
Edit validation rules
In order to edit an existing validation rule, proceed as follows:
- Choose the validation rule from the list of validation rules.
- In the table row of the validation rule, click on the
button to call up the corresponding dialog box. - Make the desired changes.
- In order to finish the process, click on the button. If the process was successful, a corresponding message will appear. The validation rule is now edited.
- In order to cancel the process, click on the button.
Remove validation rules
In order to remove an existing validation rule, proceed as follows:
- Choose the validation rule from the list of validation rules.
- In the table row of the validation rule, click on the
button. Following this, the validation rule vanishes from the list.
- In order to confirm the removing of the validation rule, click on the button.
- In order to revoke the removing of the validation rule, click on the button.
Use cases
Assign a catalog type to a catalog
This section uses an example to explain how to assign a catalog type to a catalog:
- Access the respective catalog.
After accessing the catalog, the catalog process overview is shown.
- Click on "Transformation" to open the transformation configuration.
- Scroll to the "Default separator and number format" section.
- Click the "Catalog types" menu to expand it.
- Configure the selection of assigned catalogs as desired:
- To add a catalog, click on the catalog in the menu.A corresponding chip appears in the list of selected catalogs.
- To remove a selected catalog, click on the
icon in the catalog's chip. The catalog's chip disappears from the list of selected catalogs.
- To add a catalog, click on the catalog in the menu.
- Click on the
button 
to Save the catalog selection you have made. 
A success message is shown.
FAQ
General information on automatic validators
What are automatic validators?
Automatic validators are globally available validation rules. Using validation rules you can define automated validity checks for the imported item data of a catalog.
When exactly is the validation according to the defined rules executed?
The validation according to the defined rules is executed during the transformation process and applied to the individual items of a catalog. This checks both the technical and the content-related data quality of the items before the data is processed further.
What advantage do global validation rules offer compared to catalog-specific rules?
Global validation rules offer the advantage that users only have to set up a validation rule once, in a central location, in order to apply it to a large number of catalogs afterwards. This means the same rule no longer has to be set up separately for different catalogs.
How is it controlled which global validation rules are applied to a particular catalog?
Via catalog types it can be specified which global validation rules are applied to a particular catalog. Allocating catalog types to a catalog can be done in the “Default number format and separators” section of the transformation configuration.
Set up validation rules
What does the “External rule” checkbox do?
If the “External rule” checkbox is ticked, the rule is defined as an external rule so that the validation result is also visible in iPIM SSP. Without this setting, the result remains visible only within iPIM Supply.
Allocate catalog types
What is the purpose of allocating catalog types to a validation rule?
By allocating a validation rule to a catalog type, it is ensured that the rule is applied to related catalogs of this type during their transformation process. Without this allocation, the rule does not take effect during the transformation.
Edit and remove validation rules
Can the removing of a validation rule be revoked before it is finally confirmed?
Yes, as long as the confirmation has not yet been given via the button, the removing of the validation rule can be revoked via the 
button. Only by clicking Save does the removal take final effect.
Rights
The following rights are required to use the “Global validators” section:
| Key | Identifier | Description |
| ipim-supply.administration | iPIM Supply – Administration | Right to see the “Administration” tab and to call up the “Administration” section |
| ipim-supply.administration.configuring-mandatory-validators | iPIM Supply – Administration – Configure automatic validators | Right to see the subsection “Global validators” and to create, to edit or to remove validation rules |
- In order to be able to access iPIM Supply, a user needs to be related to at least one supplier.
- In order to make newly added rights effective for users outside of the regular synchronisation, you must carry out a master data synchronisation for users and roles. This can be done in the “Schedules” tab.
- The identifier of rights are not shown correctly here as hyphens are shown as half square dashs. In order to search for a particular right in iPIM CC, copy the key to the clipboard and search for the key.
Available rule types
Validators on item level
The following rule types can be created as global validators on the attribute level:
| Rule type | Description |
|---|---|
| Duplicate item validator | To avoid errors when synchronising with iPIM and maintain your data in iPIM more effectively:Search for duplicate items and define an error message or warning. |
| Duplicate asset validator | To avoid errors when synchronising with iPIM and maintain your data in iPIM more effectively:Search for asset duplicates and define an error message or warning. |
| Not associated category attributes | To avoid errors when synchronising with iPIM and maintain your data in iPIM more effectively:Search for category attributes that are not associated with the category of the item. |
| Mandatory attribute validation | To avoid errors when synchronising with iPIM and maintain your data in iPIM more effectively:Search for mandatory attributes that are not mapped or are not filled with a value. |
| iPIM duplicate check | Search for duplicate items in iPIM using an attribute. |
| Attribute consistency check | Compare the values of attributes of the same type with each other or with constant values. |
| Conditional existence check | Link the existence of an attribute to the existence of another attribute. A relationship between attributes can also be bidirectional. |
| VAT validator | Use a gross price and net price to check the specified VAT. |
Rules on attribute level
The following rule types can be created as global validators on the attribute level:
| Rule type | Description |
|---|---|
| Duplicate attribute validator | Check your attributes for duplicates. |
| GTIN-13 checksum | Check whether your numeric attributes, such as item numbers and EANs, are converted to GTIN-13. |
| Number comparison | Compare numeric values with a selected constant. |
| Contains strings | Search for specific words and strings.If the string is not found, a warning or error is displayed. |
| String length check | Check the number of strings making up your attribute. |
| Case sensitivity | Specify a case-sensitive rule to be checked. |