Model Category

[monica190]

Hi team,

What is the purpose of these two fields in the cmdb_model_category table, and which categories should ideally have these checked according to best practices?

[anshul_goyal]

Hi @monica190 ,

In the cmdb_model_category table in ServiceNow, the fields Allow in bundle and Allow as main are used to control how models within a specific category can be grouped into bundles and identified as the primary item in those bundles. Here's what each field does:

Allow in bundle:

This field indicates whether a model in this category can be part of a bundle (a group of related models that are often purchased or deployed together).
Use case: Categories like software licenses, accessories, or peripheral equipment often have this checked because these items are typically bundled with primary products (e.g., a laptop may come bundled with software licenses and accessories like a mouse or keyboard).
Allow as main:

This field designates whether a model in this category can be the main or primary item in a bundle. It’s the central product around which other items may be grouped.
Use case: Categories like computers, servers, or core network devices (e.g., laptops, servers, routers) should have this checked because they are usually the primary assets in bundles.
Best Practices:
Allow in bundle:

Check this for categories that typically consist of supporting or peripheral products that are part of a larger set.
Examples: Software, accessories, power supplies, monitors, cables, etc.
Allow as main:

Check this for categories that consist of primary assets, typically large or core components of a setup.
Examples: Servers, laptops, desktops, network switches, or storage devices.

These settings ensure that bundling is handled logically within your CMDB, aligning with how assets are grouped and managed in the real world.

Please mark my solution as Helpful and Accepted, if this solution works for you!

Thanks

[monica190]

Hi @anshul_goyal , thank you for your response. Based on the explanation you've provided, what I'm noticing is that for an IP Switch, if I check or uncheck the "Allow in Bundle" field, I can still add IP Switch components to a bundle without any issues. So, how exactly is this field playing a role? Any ideas?

[anshul_goyal · Accepted solution]

@monica190, Great observation! The "Allow in bundle" field is meant to indicate whether items in that category are usually bundled with other items, like accessories or software. However, in some cases, the system might still let you add items to a bundle even if this box is unchecked because this field doesn't always strictly block you from doing so—it’s more of a guideline.

If you want to stop certain items from being added to bundles, you might need to create custom rules in the system.

Please mark my solution as Helpful and Accepted, if this solution works for you in any way!

Thanks

[monica190]

@anshul_goyal   Thank you for your reply! I appreciate the clarification regarding the "Allow in bundle" field. Do you have any documentation or references that discuss this in more detail?