Element Type

In the KScope Asset Registry, an Element Type defines the template or blueprint for a particular kind of digital asset. It determines what properties or attributes that asset type should have and ensures that all assets of that kind are structured consistently across the system.

Think of it like defining a form that every asset of a certain type must fill out.

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🏗 Why Element Types Matter

Element Types help your organization:

• Standardize asset data across the board

• Ensure consistency when syncing data from different tools or teams

• Make searching, reporting, and correlating assets much easier

• Enable integration with security, compliance, and cost optimization tools

Without Element Types, you'd have a messy pile of inconsistent asset data — difficult to manage, analyze, or trust.

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🧱 Real-World Example

Let’s say your organization manages servers, applications, and databases. Each of these is a distinct Element Type.

Element Type	Example Properties (Attributes)
Server	name, IP address, location, storage capacity (in GB)
Application	name, version, owner department
Database	name, type (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL), size (in GB)

When you create a new asset (called an Element) — like Server_001 — it must follow the schema defined by the Server Element Type. That means it must have values for name, IP, location, and storage_capacity.

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🔄 Element Type vs. Element

Concept	What It Is	Example
Element Type	The schema or blueprint for an asset	Server, Application, Database
Element	An instance of that type, filled with actual data	Server_001, PayrollApp, HR_DB

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🧩 Where It Fits in the Big Picture

In the broader KScope modeling framework:

• Element Types are grouped using TypeFunctions (e.g., "Infrastructure" groups Server, "Software" groups Application/Database)

• Every Element is based on one Element Type

• Each Element Type includes a set of Element Attribute Types, defining what kind of data the Element can store

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🛠 When Would I Create or Edit an Element Type?

You’d define or modify an Element Type when:

• You're onboarding a new type of asset into the Asset Registry (e.g., Network Devices)

• You need to adjust the schema of an existing type to include new fields (e.g., adding a "maintenanceWindow" to Servers)

• You want to standardize asset properties from various data sources (e.g., AWS and Azure both reporting server data differently)

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💡 Tips for Working with Element Types

• Use clear, business-relevant names (e.g., "VirtualMachine" instead of "VM")

• Keep schemas minimal but complete — just enough properties to make assets usable, without overcomplicating

• Align property names with your source systems for easier integration and mapping

• Define TypeUnits for numeric fields to enforce consistency (e.g., GB for storage)

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✅ Summary

The Element Type is a foundational building block in KScope’s Asset Registry. It allows you to model your assets in a consistent, structured, and scalable way, making it easier to manage your IT environment and derive actionable intelligence from your asset data.

Without clear Element Types, there is no structure — and without structure, there is no insight.

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