Difference between abstract and concrete bundle models and use of the "Bundle assets" flag

[Fred Jean]

Hello,

Related to model bundles, there are 2 things I find not clear both in the documentation and in the HAM training course :

• Difference between abstract and concrete bundle model
  • Can someone provide an explanation different from the documentation, with examples if possible ?
  • How does one actually create an abstract vs concrete bundle model ?
    • The documentation states "To create an abstract model, set the model category to Bundle and add the components. To create a concrete model, create a model in the Product Catalog > Product Model > Bundled Models module and add components."
      • When I create a bundled model, the category is automatically set to "Bundle"; does this mean it should be changed to something else when creating a concrete model ?
      • In both cases it's saying to add components; for abstract it's missing the starting point : on what record/form should I set "the model category to Bundle" if not on a bundle model created through "Product Catalog > Product Model > Bundled Models" (as mentioned for the concrete model) ?
        
• use of the "Bundle assets" flag
  • From what I see, even if this does not seem to be explicit in the documentation, when the "Bundle assets" field is not checked, it's not possible to create Bundle Assets from the Bundle model even when status is In production.
    • what is the reason for that and what is the purpose of bundle models from which we cannot create bundle assets ?

[Community Alums]

I have the same question. Reading between the lines on the Hardware Asset Self Paced training Lab 2,1 documents this is what I think:

Abstract: Bundled model with multiple model components. One component is selected as the main compnent. This would usually be the computer. It is abstract because all the other model components can be from any manufacturer.  (Computer has to be the model selected as the main component but the other components can be from any manufacturer.)

Concrete: Bundled model with multiple components. None of the components is selected as the main component. The bundle model requires the exact components listed for each item (Computer, Mouse, Keyboard and Printer)

[Community Alums]

Currently the ServiceNow documentation does not provide any legitimate examples of the difference between Bundled Model - Concrete and Bundled Model - Abstract. The concept is covered in the HAM On Demand course in Lab 2.1 Section D. The text following step 9 and step 10 let me to conclude that the assignment of one component as the main component creates the abstract bundle. This is because the definition of concrete bundle is under step 9 that does not have a main component and the definition of abstract bundle is under step 10 that does have a main component. 

The Vancouver Bundled Model documentation includes the statement:

To create an abstract bundle, set the model category to bundle and add the components. To create a concrete bundle, create the model in the Product Catalog>Product Models>Bundled Model and add the components. 

This statement does not make sense because the two create processes lead to the same place in my PDI. I am still working on this mystery. I am now hoping it is not on the test beyond the two definitions. 

[Community Alums]

I am now obessed with this concept. I attached a PDF that shows the process for creating each type of Bundle Model and my research. I think is is correct and look forward to input from other users. 

[Fred Jean]

Hello, thank you for your efforts trying to clarify this subject.

So if we take into account the steps described in this document to create concrete and abstract bundle models; we would have the following differences :

• Concrete bundle model:
  • model class is Hardware model
  • Bundle flag is false
  • Bundle assets flag is not available
  • it is a bundle because of the category
  • it's built "around" an actual hardware model
• Abstract bundle model:
  • Model class is Product model
  • Bundle flag is true
  • Bundle assets flag could be true or false
  • it's not built "around" an actual hardware model (but still it can include a "main" component)