Master data settings
Reference for Master data settings in Wholechain Settings.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Manage external identifiers and aliases, download master data, and configure brands, vessels, and the default invite message. |
| Applies to | Each resource type in the account. |
| Where to find it | Master Data Settings > Trade Item, Location or Trade Partner; Organization Settings > Brands for brands. Click the gear icon at the top of the Trade Items, Locations or Trade Partners page to open the matching tab, or open Settings with the gear icon at the bottom of the left-hand navigation bar or the Settings button on the Dashboard. |
| Related | Data Policy sections on the Trade Item and Location tabs are described in Data elements and policies. Module references: Trade Items, Locations, Trade Partners. |
Tools on each tab
| Tool | Trade Items | Locations | Trade Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| External Identifier Manager | Manage | Manage | Manage |
| Alias upload | Bulk Upload Product Aliases | Bulk Upload Location Aliases | Bulk Upload Trade Partner Aliases |
| Download | Download Trade Item Master Data | Download Location Master Data | Download Trade Partner Master Data |
Each download is an Excel spreadsheet of master data for that resource type in the account.
External identifiers
| Resource | Identifier field |
|---|---|
| Trade Item | Trade Item Number / ID |
| Location | Location Number / ID |
| Trade Partner | Trade Partner Number / ID |
Manage opens the External Identifier Manager drawer with Manual and Bulk options.
Manual
Search field: "Search by name, owner, or identifier". Columns: resource name (Trade Item, Location, or Trade Partner), Ownership, Owner, Owner's External Identifier, My External Identifier. Edit the My External Identifier field, then select Update External Identifiers (enabled after a change).
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Owned | Created in the current account. |
| Shared | Shared by another connected Wholechain Trade Partner. |
| Owner | The Trade Partner that shared the resource; blank for owned resources. |
| Owner's external identifier | Identifier assigned by the sharing owner; blank for owned resources. |
| My external identifier | Identifier assigned in the current account; blank when none. |
Trade Partners are not shared like Trade Items and Locations; a connected partner controls its own identity.
Bulk
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Download the Excel workbook. |
| 2 | Enter or edit identifiers; save. |
| 3 | Place the file in the upload area. |
| 4 | Select Upload. |
For Trade Items and Locations, the toggle Include owned and shared products (Location tab: Include owned and shared locations) controls the download: off includes only shared resources; on includes owned and shared resources. The workbook is downloaded from the Excel Template link and must be .xlsx. The Trade Partner Bulk option has no such toggle.
Alias upload
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Select Bulk Upload; download the Excel Template. |
| 2 | Complete resource identification, identifier type, and alias value. |
| 3 | Save (.xlsx or .xls), drop in the upload area, select Upload. |
| Resource | Identifier types |
|---|---|
| Trade Items | External Identifier, URN, GTIN |
| Locations | External Identifier, URN, GLN |
| Trade Partners | External Identifier, URN, PGLN |
Aliases are additional identifiers recognized through the Connect API or bulk-event CSV uploads. They do not replace the Number / ID external identifier.
Brands
Brands organize Trade Items. Create a brand before assigning Trade Items to it. Found at Organization Settings > Brands.
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Image | Brand image, if any. |
| Name | Brand name. |
| Identifier | Brand identifier. |
| Description | Brand description. |
| Actions | Row actions menu. |
Clicking a row opens a drawer titled with the brand name, section Basic Details: Brand Image (Upload), Name (required), Identifier, Description (required). The row Actions menu offers Delete. Add Brand opens the Add Brand drawer:
| Field | Req. | Values and behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes | Brand name. |
| Description | Yes | Brand description. |
| Identifier | No | Optional in the interface. Needed when managing brands or assigning items to brands through the Connect API. |
| Add Brand (button) | n/a | Enabled once required fields are filled. An image is added afterward from the brand drawer. |
Vessels (Location tab)
| Setting | Default | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vessels | Off | Enables a vessel location type with additional fields such as IMO number, registration number, and public registry hyperlink, for GDST-related fishing traceability. Mainly for organizations recording fishing events. |
Default Invite Message (Trade Partner tab)
| Element | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Editor | Rich-text editor with placeholder "Enter a default invitation message". Description: "This message is loaded by default when a trade partner invite has no saved message." |
| Effect | The saved message prepopulates Trade Partner connection invitations. Senders can keep or edit it per invitation. |
Not related to user invitations; see Users & Permissions.
Rules
| Rule | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Do not replace the Number / ID external identifier. |
| Owned vs shared | Applies to Trade Items and Locations, not Trade Partners. |
| Brand identifier | Optional, but required for Connect API brand management. |
| Vessels | Optional; off by default. |