Categories help your organization consistently classify the different types of Events and Incidents you track.
They can be organized into parent and child Categories, assigned to specific modules, and scoped to the parts of your organization where they should be available.
How Categories work
Categories define what type of Event or Incident is being recorded.
For example, your organization might use Categories such as:
Animals
Environmental & Weather
Property Damage
Security & Crime
Staff & Vendor Incidents
Vehicle & Parking
Categories can also contain more specific subcategories to help your team classify records consistently.
For example:
Property Damage
→ Water Damage
→ Fire Damage
→ Structural Damage
The exact Category structure available to your organization depends on how Eolas has been configured.
View your Categories
To review the Categories available to your organization:
Select Settings from the left-hand navigation.
Select Categories.
Review the available Categories and their configuration.
From the Categories list, you can see information such as:
Category name
Description
Module
Scope
Who created or updated the Category
When the Category was last updated
Some Categories may include an arrow next to the Category name. Select the arrow to expand the Category and review any subcategories beneath it.
Create a Category
To create a new Category:
Go to Settings > Categories.
Select + Add Category in the upper-right corner.
Enter a Name for the Category.
Select a Parent Category, if applicable.
Add a Description.
Select the Module where the Category should be available.
Select the appropriate Scope.
Select Create Category.
Name your Category
Enter a clear, specific name that makes it easy for users to understand when the Category should be selected.
For example:
Flooding
Employee Injury
Dog Bite
Vandalism
Avoid creating multiple Categories with similar meanings unless your organization has a specific reason to track them separately.
Select a Parent Category
Use Parent Category when the new Category belongs beneath a broader Category.
For example:
Animals
→ Dog Bite
or:
Property Damage
→ Water Damage
Using parent and child Categories can help your organization create a consistent hierarchy while still allowing users to classify records more specifically.
If the Category should exist at the highest level, leave Parent Category blank.
Add a Description
Use the Description field to explain what the Category represents or when it should be used.
Descriptions can help administrators maintain a clear and consistent Category structure over time.
For example:
Incidents involving damage to buildings, units, equipment, or other physical property.
Select a Module
The Module determines where the Category can be used in Eolas.
Depending on your configuration, a Category may be available for:
Events
Incidents
Both Events and Incidents
For example, Environmental & Weather may be available in both Events and Incidents, while another Category may be used only for Incidents.
Choose the Module based on where users should be able to apply the Category.
Set the Scope
The Scope determines which parts of your organization can use the Category.
Depending on your configuration, Categories may be scoped to:
An organization
A division
One or more sites
A broader shared or global scope
Use the Scope setting to make sure the Category is available only where it is relevant.
Tip: Keep Category structures as consistent as possible across your organization unless a site or division has a specific need for a different Category.
Understand global and organization-specific Categories
Your Categories list may include both broadly available Categories and Categories created specifically for your organization.
For example, a Category with a Global scope may be available across organizations, while a Category scoped to your organization is available only within that organization.
Use the Scope column to understand where each Category applies.
Edit an existing Category
To update an existing Category:
Go to Settings > Categories.
Select the Category you want to manage.
Review its current configuration.
Update the Category information as needed.
Save your changes.
Before changing a Category that is already in use, consider how the update may affect existing records, workflows, forms, or reporting.
Delete a Category
Administrators can delete a Category that isn’t being used.
To delete a Category:
Go to Settings > Categories.
Choose one of these:
In the Categories list, select the ⋯ menu next to the Category, then select Delete.
Or select the Category to open it, then select Delete at the bottom of the side panel.
Confirm the deletion. Select Cancel if you want to keep the Category.
Note: You can’t delete a Category that is in use, or one with a subcategory that is in use. A Category is in use when other parts of Eolas rely on it, such as Events, Incidents, Workflows or Assignments. If you don’t see a Delete option, the Category is probably in use.
Tip: If a Category is no longer relevant but can’t be deleted, you can edit its name or description so your team knows not to use it.How Categories work with other settings
Categories help determine how Events and Incidents are classified and may also be used alongside other configuration settings such as:
Workflows
Forms
Automations
Notifications
Assignments
For example, an Incident Category may use a specific Workflow that presents the forms and steps your team needs for that type of Incident.
The exact relationship depends on your organization’s Eolas configuration.
Need help?
For additional support, start a chat with the Eolas Help Team directly from the Help link on the navigation bar, or reach us at [email protected].