PDMWE 2008 - BOM Tab Functions

We will be implementing SAP in the coming months, and willhave PDM-SAP connectivity. I was extremely happy to see the BOM andERP functionality improvements/additions in 2008, but some of thenew functionality baffles me. Either I don't understand what theywere trying to solve or just can't think of a use for some of thethings, like...

1. The tree view that you can toggle on and off. It only showsassemblies - no parts. What purpose does that serve? It must havebeen something useful for them to sacrifice space on the screen,right?

2. The "As Built" checkbox. Online help tells me that this can betoggled on to show me the BOM as it was originally conceived...butwhy? Does anyone know of an example where this is used?

3. The "Activated" checkbox. There is extremely little about thisin the online help. I can't get past figuring out whether thistoggles the display or whether it is actually setting a variable inthe system for some purpose. I have toggled it on many BOMs and seeno difference. Ideas?

4. Computed BOMs vs. saved BOMs. I understand the difference, butwhich one am I supposed to utilize to pass parent/child informationto SAP so that it can create BOMs in the ERP system? I plan ontrying to utilize virtual components and the ability to adjustquantities in the PDM BOM window, but since those numbers areoverwritten when a computed BOM is displayed/refreshed it cannot bepassed on to ERP. Conversely, a saved BOM exists as a separatefile, although I am not sure where. Any suggestions? Examples wherethis has been done?

Sorry for being long-winded, but we MUST have an in-depthunderstanding of what these functions do before trying to plug itinto something extremely unforgiving like SAP.

I'm hoping that since PDMWE is a successor to Conisio, thesefunctions may have come from Conisio and someone has intimateknowledge of these things. The problem for me is the lack ofdocumentation or examples that would indicate the feature'susefulness. Then again, maybe it's just me.

Thanks in advance,
SpencerSolidworksSolidworks Pdm enterprise Pdm