ASK : Create or Update a new function in the hardware platform

In order to create a new function in the hardware platform you need to first create the function inside siliconexpert platform. After that we will have enough data to import that function into the hardware platform and make it available to use for a quotation or in the public ask platform. Below you will find two step by step instructions that will help you to create or update a function.

Note : You must be an admin on the hardware platform to be able to follow the process. In case you are not an admin please contact software@altyor.com

Create a new function

First login to your account on the hardware platform (use your mail Altyor login).
Go to the admin page

1. Download template for SE upload

First Download the xlsx template file you need to fill with your components in order to create a new function. The template can be find in the admin functions page.

To create a new function in Silicon Expert you will need only two informations the MPN (Manufacturer Part Number )of the component and it’s supplier.

2. Fill SE template with components in our database first

To create a new function if you are looking for some kind of component, it’s important that you look for the one we already use in AIS so we can reuse the same reference. In order to do this, you can connect to Silicon Expert

Example : Let’s assume you want to add in your function a nRF51822 and you want to check if we already use it in an other project.

As show on the screenshot above : 1. Put what your are looking for. 2. Enable the filter BOM, so it will only show you the compoenent that match your seach that we already have used in other project (based on AIS BOM database). 3. If the components match your requirement, note your Part Number and your supplier and add it into your excel file.

At the end when you finished to select all your components for your new functions, your document should look like this :

3. Import the new function in SE & Consolidate

Now that you have your list of components that will define your new function, we need to upload the data in Silicon Expert and consolidate them.

Go to the bom Manager of Silicon Expert and select the ASK Folder as show on the picture below.

Inside ASK folder pick the folder that match the category of your function (ex : if you are creating a function that allow to connect two AA battery to power a device then choose the category POWER).
Then hit the upload BOM button as show on the screenshot below :

Fill the modal box as show on the screenshot below :

4.1 BOM NAME : IMPORTANT Chose the name wisely, the name is only way we can match a function in siliconexpert and in the Hardwpare plateform. It’s important that you don’t change it later. 4.2 Upload File : Go select the file that you made in the step 2. (Compoenents list with MPN and supplier) 4.3 Comment : optional

Map the informations

You need to let Silicon Expert know what is the data you have uploaded as show on the screenshot below :

Choose MPN where your MPN Number column is located.
Choose Manufacturer where your supplier number is located.
you can set an offset to choose which line need to start with. In our case the first line are headers and we want to ignore them so we pick the line 2.
Then hit the Next button, a summary of the new function will be displayed to you.
The click a last time on the next button and you will finally land on you finished and ready new function.

4. Export the function with the right informations

Now that our function is ready in silicon expert with all the informations we need. We need to export it from Silicon Expert and then import it in the hardware platform. In order to do that you need to :

Open the function (BOM) in silicon expert you want to import in the hardware platform then click on Export button as show below.

Then you need to select the informations we are looking for, select all the checkbox as show on the picture below :

Then hit the button export.

5. Consolidate the file & import in Hardware platform

You know have an xlsx file you just downloaded from Silicon Expert in the previous step. You will need to download a new template file from the hardware platform as show on the screenshot below :

You then need to copy and past the informations from the Silicon Expert file into the template you just downloaded. Also make sure to rename the csv file with the function name you want to create. The Hardware plateform will use that name to create or update a function Lastly make sure in the column Datasheet URL & Part Image you have past the URL of the hyperlink and not the visible text of it.

Your csv file should then be as follow :

Go on the admin page within the hardware plateform and select the “Functions” in the left menu, you can now drop your csv file as show on the screenshot below :

On the right the result of the upload will be printed.

6. Consolidate the function in the Hardware platform

Your function is actually created and all the component informations ready. You just need to add a few informations about that function. For this go on the hardware plateform in the main fucntion screen list here

Normally you will find your function in the Missing Category part as show below :

Click on the name of the function and the fill the missing informations as show on the screenshot below :

Choose to enable or disable the function. A disable function won’t be available for new quotation.
The category of the function, normally it should be the same as you created in Silicon Expert.
Short description of the new function.
OPTIONAL : Longer note of the function.
The maturity of the function (Quoted : we only "Used that function for a quotation, - POC : We used that function for a prototype - MP : We have used that function in mass production)
OPTIONAL : You can add an url to link extra ressources.
Select the quantity for each of your components, you can select 0 to disable a component. You can also enter manual price per component and select the currency for each of your components. _Note that a manual price will override other prices (Silicon Expert or from the ERP of AIS).
Hit the save button where you are done !

Your function is now READY ! Please note that price information will be udapte automatically or with another process