How to Add a New Asset Type to the Case Links Feature


Audience: System Administrators / Solution Engineers

Overview

The Case Links feature allows you to establish relationships between different types of IP assets within Equinox Corporate+. This article explains how to extend the Case Links feature to support a new custom object (asset type) in your Salesforce environment.

Note: Throughout this guide, CustomObject__c is used as a placeholder. Replace it with the actual API name of your new object.

Before You Begin

Please ensure the following prerequisites are in place before starting:

  • The new Salesforce object (e.g., CustomObject__c) has been created with its label configured
  • A Record Type has been set up on the object (if required)
  • Your development environment is ready
  • You have the necessary permissions to modify Salesforce metadata
  • You are familiar with the Case Links feature architecture

Step 1 — Update the Case Link Object Schema

Add two new lookup fields to the Case_Link__c object to support the new asset type.

Navigate to: Setup → Object Manager → Case Link → Fields & Relationships

Create the following two fields:

Field 1 — Current Custom Object

  • Field Label: Current Custom Object
  • Field Name: Current_CustomObject__c
  • Data Type: Lookup (pointing to your new object)
  • Required: No

Field 2 — Linked Custom Object

  • Field Label: Linked Custom Object
  • Field Name: Linked_CustomObject__c
  • Data Type: Lookup (pointing to your new object)
  • Required: No

Step 2 — Grant Field-Level Permissions

Grant Read and Edit access to the two new lookup fields via the relevant Permission Sets.

Navigate to: Setup → Permission Sets

Apply the following steps to both of these Permission Sets:

  • QST_P_Standard_User_IMP
  • QST_P_Questel Admin_IMP

For each Permission Set:

  1. Search for and open the Permission Set
  2. Go to Object Settings → Case Link
  3. Enable Read Access and Edit Access for both newly created fields

Step 3 — Update the Case Type Picklist Value Set

Add the new object's label as a value in the shared Case Type picklist.

Navigate to: Setup → Picklist Value Sets → Case Type

Add a new value corresponding to your new object (e.g., Custom Object).

Step 4 — Update Record Type Picklist Values

Make the new Case Type value available within the Case Link Record Type for both the Current Case Type and Linked Case Type fields.

Navigate to: Setup → Object Manager → Case Link → Record Types → Case Link Record Type

Edit both picklist fields (Current Case Type and Linked Case Type) and move your new value (e.g., Custom Object) from Available Values to Selected Values.

Step 5 — Configure Object Relationships

Update the Current Linked Object Relation field to define how the new object relates to all existing objects in both directions.

Navigate to: Setup → Object Manager → Case Link → Fields & Relationships → Current Linked Object Relation → Edit

Add bidirectional relationship entries for your new object paired with each existing object type (Patents, Designs, Trade Marks, Families, Conflicts, Invention Disclosures, Third Parties, and itself), using the format:

CustomObject__c>ExistingObject__c:Generally Related
ExistingObject__c>CustomObject__c:Generally Related

This must be done for all existing case types to ensure the new asset can be linked in both directions.

Step 6 — Create the Apex Field Mapping Class

Create a new Apex class that implements CaseLinkFieldMappingProvider. This class maps the generic Case Link display fields to the corresponding fields on your new object.

The class should return a Map<String, String> where the keys are the generic Case Link field API names and the values are the corresponding API names on your custom object.

Typical fields to map include:

  • Case Name
  • Application Number
  • Application Date
  • Grant / Registration Number and Date
  • Filing Type
  • Country
  • Title
  • Status
  • Expiry Date

Step 7 — Add the "Link Case(s)" Button to the New Object

7.1 Create the Button Action

Navigate to: Setup → Object Manager → [Your Custom Object] → Buttons, Links, and Actions → New Action

Configure the action with the following settings:

  • Label: Link Case(s)
  • Name: Link_Case
  • Action Type: Lightning Web Component
  • Component: eqcorporate:caseLinkAction

7.2 Add the Button to the Page Layout

Navigate to: Setup → Object Manager → [Your Custom Object] → Page Layouts

Add the Link Case(s) button to the appropriate Page Layout(s) or Lightning Record Page(s) for the new object.

Step 8 — Add Trigger Logic

Create an Apex trigger on the new custom object to keep Case Link records in sync when data changes.

The trigger should handle two scenarios:

  • On Update: When key fields on the custom object are modified (such as Status, Application Date, or Application Number), the trigger should update all related Case_Link__c records to reflect the new values.
  • On Delete: When a record of the new object is deleted, the trigger should delete all associated Case_Link__c records to prevent orphaned data.

Summary

Once all 8 steps are completed, the new asset type will be fully integrated into the Case Links feature. Users will be able to link records of the new type to any other supported case type using the Link Case(s) button directly from the record page.