In order to create a new variable definition, proceed as follows:

1. Start the Empirum Management Console (EMC), change in the navigation pane to Management > Administration and select in the Tools Menu > Variable Definitions..., or click on the Define Variables icon in the task bar.
2. Click on the Add button.
   You get to the Variable Definition dialog field.
   
3. On the right, next to variable, enter the name for the new variable.
4. Add the variable type for this variable definition via the drop-down field.
5. Enter optionally a description for this variable definition.
6. Select the required control element for this variable definition via the drop-down field.
7. In Allow null value specify, whether the variable value can also be blank.
8. Depending on the selected control element, enter the maximum, minimum and default value, or define the values for the checkbox, the drop-down field or the user-defined variable definition.
9. Apply the new variable definition via the OK button.
10. Close the Variable Definitions via the OK button.
    You have created a new variable definition. You can now add a value to it via the Variables... context menu.
    • Variable
      • Variable. Enter the name of the variable here. The value can be then addressed via this name in a Setup.inf. Of course, the variable has to be first declared in the Setup.inf (read the respective INI file on the server) and the value of this variable has to be assigned!
      • Variable Type. Specify here, for which type this value has to be defined. The following variable types can be defined:
        • Computer. Is used for the software distribution in the machine-specific part. This variable is stored in the file
          .\Empirum\Configurator\Values\MachineValues\Domain\ComputerName.ini.
        • User. Is used for the software distribution in the user-specific part. This value is stored in the file
          .\Empirum\Configurator\Values\UserValues\Domain\UserName.ini.
        • Operating system. Is used for the operating system installation. This variable is saved in the file
          .\Empirum\Configurator\Values\MachineValues\Domain\ComputerName.ini and in the file
          .\Empirum\EmpInst\Wizard\OS\Auto\MAC8\OS.ini.
        • Sync. Is used for Empirum Sync. This variable is stored in the file
          .\Empirum\Configurator\Values\MachineValues\Domain\ComputerName.ini.
        • Device. Serves to specifying additional information for "Unmanaged devices".
        • Handheld. Serves to specifying additional information. This variable is saved in the file
          .\Empirum\Configurator\Values\MachineValues\HANDHELD\DeviceName.ini.
      • Description. Enter here optionally a description, for the purpose for which this variable has been defined.
      • Control. Makes available a list of control elements for the definition of variables via the drop-down field. Is not valid for the variable type "Sync". Depending on the selected control element, the entry field under Value is also modified. The following control elements are available:
        • Text, Number, Date, Time, Date/Time, Combo Box, Checkbox, IP-Address, Drop-down Box, Extended Drop-down Box, Search in AD, Scheduler, Timeframe, User-defined.
          

          For the control element password, there exists a variant, only for Empirum internal usage. All components using it (Advanced Agent, EmpSync) are required to be version 16.1 or higher.

    • Value. The display in this field differs, depending on which control element has been selected.
      
      • Allow null values. If this option is activated (checkbox ticked), the value can also be blank, i.e. it may contain no value. Thus, in the dialog field Variable Value, the option "Reset Value" or "Empty Value" can be selected (Read Variable Value).
      • Default value. Specify the value, which is to be assigned by default to this variable. If this option is activated (checkbox ticked), the option "Reset Value" can be selected in the dialog field Variable Value..
        
      • Min value. Specify the minimum value of this control element. Only valid for the control elements "Number, Date, Time, Date/Time".
      • Max value. Specify the maximum value of this control element. Only valid for the control elements "Number, Date, Time, Date/Time".
        
      • Value (Column name). Each entry which can be selected in a drop-down list is displayed here. You can add new elements via the button, existing ones can be edited via the button, or deleted via the button. Only valid for the control elements "Combo Box, Checkbox, Drop-down Box, Extended Drop-down Box".
      • Show as (Column name). In this column, you can give another designation to the entries in the "Value" column. Instead of the "Value" column, the "Show as" column will be displayed in the drop-down list. Only valid for the control element "Extended Drop-down Box".
        
      • Objecttype (User, Computer, Group; Printer; Organization Unit)
        In order to select a default value, you can select one of three object types. This object type can then be searched via the button and then applied. Only valid for the control element "Search in AD".
        
      • Collection. Describes a compilation of variable definitions (structure), which can be assigned at any time to several objects (Configuration groups, computers, users, etc.). You can use various variable types in this list. New variable definitions can be added via the button, existing ones can be edited via the button, or deleted via the button. Only valid for the "User-defined" control element.