Designer XI Terminology

These important terms arise over and over. Refer to this table throughout your Designer XI implementation process to understand them.

Term	Definition
Compatible Unit (CU)	Compatible Units (CUs) represent the cost for either physical equipment or labor. They contain a Work Management System (WMS) code, which is a unique identifier that corresponds to the CU record in the customer’s WMS.
Component	A component is an item visible in the map, similar to a feature in ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro. It contains geometry and relationships to other components. Electric components also contains phasing and operating voltage data.
Design Workflow	The Design Workflow refers to the steps a design specifically takes within the Designer XI application.
Equipment Catalog Specification	The Equipment Catalog Specification contains common information to a class of physical devices used for engineering calculations. For example, electric equipment contains the number of possible phases, rated kilovolt-amps (kVA), and impedance. Equipment specifications can be simple or detailed, as described in the topic Make Specs As Detailed As Necessary.
GIS Data Transfer Object	A GIS Data Transfer Object is an object created during the push-to-GIS process, and it is used to create the GIS feature. It contains everything from the component, equipment specification, and CU. It only exists in memory during the push and is then discarded.
Import	An Import brings data from the GIS into Designer XI.
Macro CU	A Macro CU consists of a single CU that is drawn on the map to represent itself along with any number of Non-drawn CUs that may be associated with it. For example, a pole usually includes bolts, brackets, support arms, assemblies, and guying in addition to the pole itself. Thus, a Pole Macro CU could be pre-configured to include all these specs in the proper quantities, which makes it easier to place common assets. The Macro CU can be placed and then modified by adding or deleting Non-drawn CUs, or changing the Drawn CU on the component representing the group in the map.
Macro Workflow	Also called a Business Workflow, a Macro Workflow is the full workflow that a job or work order goes through from creation to completion. A Design Workflow is a part of the Macro Workflow.
Non-drawn CU	A Non-drawn CU is any CU with a cost but no drawn feature on the map. A common example is labor, which can be added directly to a Work Location
Push	A Push sends designed components to become features in the GIS.