Sometimes it can be useful to group different objects together. One requirement could be, to group a Computer, a Monitor and a Printer Object together to form a Workplace Object. This could be useful to easily recognize which objects belong to a specific workplace. This example uses an Object Class “Monitor” to group Monitors together with Computers and Printers.
However, Monitor-Objects do not exist out-of-the-box in Service Manager. It is necessary to create a new Class for managing those kind of objects. Details on how to do this can be found here. I’m using an unsealed Management Pack which already contains a “Monitor”-Class. Start the Service Manager Authoring Tool and open the Management Pack.
Next, I’m going to create a new Class called “Workplace”. The Base Class for this is “Configuration Item”.
After the successful creation of the new Class, I’m going to delete the automatically created Key Property.
Now, I create a new property called “Workplace Number” and mark it as key property.
Next, we will add some relations to the new class. I will call this “Monitor_to_Workplace” to link a specific Monitor to a Workplace-Object.
In the Details of the new relation, I define a meaningful name as well as the “the other end” of the relation, means the “Monitor”-Class.
Now, I repeat the steps for relations to other object types. The procedure is exactly the same.
As a last step, I add all needed properties to the Workplace-Class.
For managing objects in the Service Manager Console, generic forms are used. If you want to use specific relations to other objects like we want to use, you have to create a specific form. Such forms can be created directly in the Authoring Tool.
Select the Class that the new form should be used to. Select “Workplace” and define an ID for the new form afterwards.
The Forms Toolbox should be displayed and you can drag the needed Elements directly onto the form. I will use Labels, Textboxes (for attribute values) and Single Instance Pickers (for relations).
After the different fields are placed on the form, the binding have to be configured. This is done through the details pane. Select the Attributes and/or relations for all the fields.
Now it’s time to import the Management Pack. For the management of the Workplace-Objects I create a new view that shows all instantiated objects in the Workplace-Class.
If a new Workplace-Object is created, the new form is automatically loaded. You can now easily configure Workplaces and select the related Objects like Monitors, Computers and Printers by using the object picker.
marcelzehner.ch 
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how can i added multiple monitors or a collection of monitor in Workplace from?
Hey
Can you pls clarify a little bit what you want to achieve?
Thanks!
I would like to use you example of Workplace class and create 1 to many relationship with monitor class. Is there a way to multi select monitors in the workplace form using (or similar fashion) instance picker control?
My goal is to create relationship classes where end user can bind multiple related class objects to the source class instance via form. Not sure, if it is possible.
Thanks for the reply
This is indeed possible. But for displaying multiple values in a 1:n relationship you need a list view control, and this is not available in the authoring tool. that means after creating the class and all the relationships, you must build your form in visual studio.
cheers
Marcel
Any examples available on how to add a 1:n relation and create a form in Visual Studio with a list view control
Hi, If i create a multiple checker boxes (for eg:type of connectivity available 1.ethernet 2. iscsi 3.wifi 4.vga). is it possible? what is the feature called as , and how can i bind it in authoring tool.
Thanks in advance.
Hey
If you want to user/analyst to select only 1 value, then you can use a list. Otherwise you can use multiple checkboxes.
Cheers
Marcel
Great example! But I need on more function in console. I need in Configuration Item view show my Relationship, now i see only normal field. In Create View form in Criteria options where is related classes i have only Monitor, no Workplace, ist normal?
Hey
If you want to display related items in a view you need to create a type projection and use this instead of a class to create the view. However, for 1:n relationships there is no OOB way to present those objects.
Cheers
Marcel