Introduction of the Universal Material Coding System (9)

Q & A

4. Q: How to make sure that all of material code is correct in case that all users can add their materials information?

    A: There are 3 ways in UMCS to keep the correctness of material codes. First, wrong codes do not disturb usage of material code. User only select correct material code for material referring. Second, User could inform UMCS administrator by e-mail if he finds a wrong code. The administrator will check and correct the error. Third, only paid users can add a large number of codes. Free user can only add limited quantity of codes. Normally, paid users are regarded serious users and will not add wrong codes intentionally.

5. Q: Does UMCS have duplicated codes?

    A: Duplicated codes cases can be divided into two kinds.

    The first kind of cases is "one code to multi-items", that means  a material code refers to many material items. In UMCS, this case does not exist. Each material
code has clearly-defined name and specifications.

    The second kind of cases is "Multi-codes to one material item", that means one material has more than one codes. In engineering practice, there are different names or specifications for one material. Because the material code is based on a set of material name and specifications, there may be some different codes referring to same material.

    The second case does not affect the user because of the following reasons. First, user can select one material code for a certain material if there are different codes for this material. Second, "Multi-codes to one material item" does not mean wrong code, they are only different referring to material. At last, the user can report this case to the UMCS administrator to correct this case.

6. Q: How to deal with wrong information that is input by user carelessly ?

    A: As a highly open and user-generate-content coding system, UMCS doses not judge the correctness of information input by user. If the user find that he has input wrong information, never mind. Do not use the material code of wrong information. User can inform the administrator of UMCS, they will mark the wrong code as invalid code.

7. Q: Our company has overseas project. Is there English Version for UMCS?

    A: UMCS has 2 versions, Chinese version and English version. The English version web site is www.e-umc.com. The material code in UMCS is based on the language. Even same materials, which are described by different language, have different codes. UMCS suggests user to find correct material in their working language.

    Other language version will be on-line in future.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Universal Material Coding System, an open and easy-to-use material coding database!

www.e-umc.com

www.e-umc.cn

Introduction of the Universal Material Coding System (8)

Q & A

3. Q: What to do if the material cannot be found in UMCS?

A: One of the most important features of UMCS is its ability that users can add material code by their-self.

Think a user want to know the code of a known material. He browses the web site: www.e-umc.com and input the material name into the searching box.He clicks the search button and there is not any material item related to the material name.

He can login the UMCS and get the access right to add new material items. He clicks the "add new material name" link, a pop-up window displayed. He can add material name information on this window and a new material name item is created in UMCS.

There is not any material specification and code on the new material name page. The user should add these information.

He clicks the "add new UMC" link,a "Add new UMC" page will be displayed. The user can define attributes and options for the new material.

He clicks "select attribute" link, the system pops up a "Select attribute" page. The user can select attribute in UMCS or add new attribute into UMCS.

If he selects attribute in UMCS, he should find the attribute item and select it, then click "Save" button, and a link between the material name and the selected attribute is created.

If there is not any suitable attribute in the list, the user need add new attribute by clicking the "Add attribute" link. On the "Add attribute" page, the user can define the attribute name and other related information.

After selection of attributes, the user gets back to the "Adding new UMC" page. The user can select attribute option for the new material. If there is not any suitable option, the user can add new options by clicking "Add new option" link.

After selection of options, the system generates the material description. The user clicks the "Save" button, a new material code will be created.


Till this step, the UMC creation procedure is completed.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Universal Material Coding System, an open and easy-to-use material coding database!

www.e-umc.com

www.e-umc.cn

Introduction of the Universal Material Coding System (7)

Q & A

1. Q: Our company already has a set of material coding system. Is it necessary to use the Universal Material Coding System(UMCS)?

A: Actually, many companies have established its own material coding system for internal material management. But normally, there are many players in a project, such as engineering companies, owners, suppliers, logistic contractor, etc. The company's proprietary material coding system is difficult for outside users' access. UMCS is to build an open coding platform for all players who take part in a project. Everyone can look up material code on this platform.

UMCS and the company own code system are not contradictory. If the material code is only used within the company, there is no problem for company material code. If there are many users outside of the company take part in the project, it is better to use UMCS instead of company proprietary coding system.

2. Q: How to look up the material code of the known materials?

A: The so-called "known materials" should be the materials that the user already knows the material name and specifications. User can visit the UMCS main page(www.e-umc.com), and type the material name into searching box to search the material directly. UMCS will show the material list.

Click the required material link to access the material name page.

In the specifications list, select the specifications of the material, click the search button, user can find the material code.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Universal Material Coding System, an open and easy-to-use material coding database!

www.e-umc.com

www.e-umc.cn

Introduction of the Universal Material Coding System (6)

UMCS Application Case

Case 5: Knowledge System of Engineering Materials

UMCS is an information system based on material names. Each kind  of material has its own web page. 

User can look up material code according to material specifications on this page. At the same page, user can also share his information about this kind of material.

UMCS is a Wiki-style information sharing system. Each kind of material is a Wiki item. The information of the material can be uploaded and edited by all users. 

UMCS provides a knowledge sharing platform for all engineering material users. Engineering material vendors can sharre their material supply information on UMCS.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Universal Material Coding System, an open and easy-to-use material coding database!

www.e-umc.com

www.e-umc.cn

Introduction of the Universal Material Coding System (5)

UMCS Application Case

Case 4: UMCS application on e-business platform

If a buyer wants to buy some engineering materials on the e-business web site,e.g Amazon.com, the procedure is always like this. The buyer inputs the material name into the searching box, such as "thread ball valve", "armored cable" and so on, the e-business system gives a list of related materials.

The buyer clicks search result item to enter a product page. On the material page, the buyer selects the specifications of the material and finds the correct material.

Since the buyer only inputs material name without exact specifications, the e-business system cannot find a precise searching result. The buyer needs to look for detail on the material page. So there are 2 steps for the user to find the prompt material he needs. 

It is difficult for the buyer to find a correct material.

If the seller lists the material on web page with the Universal Material Code, the buyer can search material by inputting the material code. The Universal Material Code provides an easy way for the buyer to locate the material quickly. Beside this advantage,the e-business system can list the correct materials in a list and give out an accurate comparison of same materials.


UMCS team will promote the application of UMCS in e-business platforms, and will provide a powerful media for engineering material buyers and sellers.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Universal Material Coding System, an open and easy-to-use material coding database!

www.e-umc.com

www.e-umc.cn