Use the Configuration Item attribute property

You assign the Configuration Item property to an attribute that represents an inherent property. Any attribute that has a constant value can be a configuration item. Because the attribute value of a configuration item is presumed to be constant, PI System Explorer automatically checks out the attribute when you change the attribute value. To commit the change, you need to check it in. In PI System Explorer, configuration attributes are marked with a pencil icon ().

Attributes with values that change, such as PI point data references, or formula data references, should not be configuration attributes. When you change the value of a non-configuration attribute, PI System Explorer does not check out the attribute. For example, suppose you have an element representing a tank. The element has the following attributes:

• Manufacturer

• Photo (file)

• Serial number

• Maximum temperature rating

• Maximum volume

• Temperature (PI point data reference)

• Volume (PI point data reference)

  The first five attributes would typically be configuration items, since these values will not change unless you change the equipment. The last two attributes would not be configuration items, since the values change all the time.