---
title: Assignments
slug: assignments
abstract: OrderCloud assignments create relationships between parties and objects within the system.
content_type: concept
audience: \[developer, architect]
---
# Assignments

OrderCloud assignments create relationships between parties and objects within the system. These relationships enable critical functionality like granting user group access to specific categories.

## Core assignment principles

The assignment system follows these fundamental principles:

1. Relationship definition:
   - Connects parties with system objects
   - Enables access control
   - Defines operational boundaries

2. Explicit declaration:
   - No default assignments
   - Access requires direct or inherited assignments
   - Users start with no access

3. Multi-level configuration:
   - Company-level assignments
   - User group assignments
   - Individual assignments

4. Configuration capabilities:
   - Additional relationship data
   - Feature-specific settings
   - Behavioral controls

5. Hierarchical inheritance:
   - Assignments flow downward
   - Users inherit group permissions
   - Company permissions cascade

6. Many-to-many relationships:
   - Multiple party assignments
   - Multiple resource assignments
   - Flexible connection structure

## Assignment implementation

### Explicit assignment model

New users have no inherent access:

- Exist in isolation initially
- Require explicit assignments
- Access through direct or inherited assignments

### Assignment levels

Available assignment scopes:

- Company level:
  - Buyer organizations
  - Seller organizations
  - Supplier organizations
- Group level:
  - User groups within companies
  - Department-specific assignments
  - Role-based assignments

### Configuration options

Assignment properties enable additional controls:

- Address assignments:
  - `IsShipping` flag
  - `IsBilling` flag
  - Usage permissions

### Inheritance structure

Access determination process:

1. Check direct assignments
2. Evaluate group memberships
3. Consider company assignments
4. Combine all valid permissions

### Relationship flexibility

![ ](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/ordercloud/en/developers/platform/images/d80bacde803347f98d41ecea6cc1a87c.png)

The system supports:

- Multiple resource assignments
- Multiple party assignments
- Bidirectional relationships

Example scenarios:

- Users with multiple addresses
- Addresses shared across users
- Products in multiple categories

## User perspective

While administrators manage assignment complexity, individual users experience:

- Simplified access model
- Unified resource view
- Seamless permission integration

The `Me` resource provides:

- Consolidated assignments
- Flattened hierarchy view
- Personalized access control

## Related reading

- [Understanding orders](https://doc.sitecore.com/ordercloud/en/developers/platform/orders.html)
- [Security profiles and roles](https://doc.sitecore.com/ordercloud/en/developers/platform/security-profiles-and-roles.html)
- [Regions and environments](https://doc.sitecore.com/ordercloud/en/developers/platform/regions-and-environments.html)