In the early days, asset types were like tags or labels and simply used to filter assets, typically for reporting. Since then, asset types have evolved to do a lot of work in Helm CONNECT, including:

• Control how asset certification templates are applied to groups of assets
• Filter the list of parts available to be assigned to an asset
• Control which parts will show up as options for requisition line items
• Control which parts show up as options for requisition templates
• Control which parts show up as options for the part usage item types in maintenance templates
• Configure which default fields and custom fields are visible and/or required in time sheets
• Control shore-side approval polices for crew changes and time sheet entries

Now that asset types are more useful across Helm CONNECT, we wanted to give you a better way to manage them. Although you could easily add asset types on the Details sub-tab in Assets, on the Management menu, there was no way to edit or delete existing tags. In Version 1.12, we added an Asset Types tab to Operations, on the Setup menu.

How to create a new asset type

To create a new asset type

1. From the Setup menu, select Operations.
2. Click the Asset Types tab.
3. Click the New Asset Type button.
   
   Figure 1. The list view on the new Asset Types tab
   
4. In the Name field, type the full name of the new asset type.
5. Optional: In the Short Name field, type an abbreviated name or acronym for the new asset type.

   NoteThe Active check box is selected by default.

6. Click the Save Changes button.
7. Click the return icon to return to the Asset Types tab list view. The new asset type now appears in the list.

Manage existing asset types

To edit an existing asset type

1. From the Setup menu, select Operations.
2. Click the Asset Types tab.
3. Click the asset type that you want to edit, then click the Edit button.
4. Edit the asset type information as required.

   NoteTo make an asset type inactive, clear the Active check box.

5. Click the Save Changes button.

To delete an asset type

If you attempt to delete an asset type that is in use, the system will let you know.

1. From the Setup menu, click Operations.
2. Click the Asset Types tab.
3. Click the asset type you want to delete.
4. Click the Delete button. In the confirmation message, click Delete again. If the asset type is in use, another warning will appear, listing where the asset type is in use. Use caution when deleting asset types because they may affect other areas of Helm CONNECT. Helm CONNECT will warn you if an asset type is in use, but it will not stop you from deleting it.
   
   Important note This warning doesn't currently include features related to Helm CONNECT Personnel. If you subscribe to Helm CONNECT Personnel, please use caution when deleting asset types.
   
   Figure 2. Delete warning showing where the asset type is used
   
5. To delete the asset type anyway, click Delete. Otherwise, click Cancel.
   
   

   NoteTo make an asset type inactive, clear the Active check box.

   Figure 3. Inactive and deleted asset types
   

How to manage permissions

To access the Asset Types tab in Setup, a user role must include the following permissions: