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Difference between revisions of "File-Based Import/Export"

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(Created page with '====Import==== Importing data files into TrackAbout can be done in one of the following ways: ==== Uploading Manually To a Page ==== * User logs in and navigates to a page in th…')
 
m (Initial proofread pass - docs)
 
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====Import====
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{{TrackAbout Feature
Importing data files into TrackAbout can be done in one of the following ways:
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|Parent Module=Core Tracking
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|Feature Description=TrackAbout can import data from flat files in various file formats.
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}}
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[[TrackAbout_API_and_Integration_Points|<< Back to TrackAbout API and Integration Points]]
  
==== Uploading Manually To a Page ====
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==Imports==
* User logs in and navigates to a page in the Integration section of the web site.
+
TrackAbout can import data from flat files in various file formats.
 +
 
 +
===Types of Imports===
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* Certificates Of Analysis
 +
* Crib Inventory
 +
* Orders / Invoices / Delivery Data
 +
* Quality Control Data
 +
* Customer Balances
 +
* Holder/Customer Info
 +
 
 +
=== Manual Upload of Files to a Page ===
 +
There are several pages available under the "Integration" menu section of the web site.
 +
* User logs in and navigates to a page in the Integration section of the web site.  
 
* User uploads the file manually and specifies some settings to use while processing the file.  
 
* User uploads the file manually and specifies some settings to use while processing the file.  
 
* User waits for processing to finish.
 
* User waits for processing to finish.
 
* Page displays warnings or errors upon completion.
 
* Page displays warnings or errors upon completion.
  
==== Automated Processing of Uploaded Files ====
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=== Automated Processing of Uploaded Files ===
* User or automated process transfers the file to the TrackAbout server (usually via FTP).
+
For automated processing, files can be sent via secure FTP to TrackAbout for scheduled pickup.
 +
* User or automated process transfers the file to the TrackAbout server (usually via secure FTP).
 
* Periodically the files are picked up and processed using preconfigured settings.
 
* Periodically the files are picked up and processed using preconfigured settings.
 
* Any warnings or errors are sent to a list of preconfigured email addresses.
 
* Any warnings or errors are sent to a list of preconfigured email addresses.
  
====Types of Imports====
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====Regarding Secure FTP====
* Import Certificates Of Analysis
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TrackAbout supports two methods of secure file transfer.
* Import Crib Inventory
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* SFTP (Secure FTP), which uses SSH technology. Using SFTP, TrackAbout can support either public/private key authentication or username/password authentication.
* Import Invoices
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* FTPS (FTP over SSL). With FTPS, TrackAbout can support username/password authentication.
* Import Legacy Asset Info
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* Import Legacy Deliveries
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Client certificates can be an option for authentication.
* Import Quality Control Data
 
  
====Export====
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==Exports==
TrackAbout can export data to flat files in various file formats to an FTP location for pickup.
+
TrackAbout can export certain kinds of data to flat files. Files are placed in a secure FTP location for pickup.
  
====Types of Exports====
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===Types of Exports===
* Export Asset Info
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* Asset Info
* Export Crib Orders
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* Crib Orders
* Export Delivered Assets
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* Delivered Assets
* Export Deliveries
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* Deliveries
* Export Fills
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* Fills
* Export Inventory
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* Inventory
* Export Lots At Customer
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* Lots At Customer
* Export Post Fill Analysis
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* Post Fill Analysis
* Export Rental
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* Rental Bills
* Export Verified Invoices
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* [[AR_Export|Accounts Receivable (AR) for Rental Bills]]
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* [[GL_Export|General Ledger (GL) for Rental Bills]]
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* Verified Invoices
  
 +
==Common Import Scenarios==
 
=== Automated Invoice Imports ===
 
=== Automated Invoice Imports ===
The most common integration linkage to establish is the regular and automated exporting of invoice data from the accounting/order entry system and importing into TrackAbout. This enables TrackAbout to compare the invoice/order info to the actual records collected in the field by workers doing deliveries. This is a huge value-add for TrackAbout, as we help our customers catch mistakes in the field. Being able to compare expected to actuals allows TrackAbout to automatically verify delivery records when the two match.
+
The most common integration linkage to establish is the regular and automated exporting of invoice data from the accounting/order entry system and importing into TrackAbout. This enables TrackAbout to compare the invoice/order info to the actual records collected in the field by workers doing deliveries. This is a huge value-add for TrackAbout, as we help our customers catch mistakes in the field. Being able to compare expected to actuals allows TrackAbout to automatically verify delivery records when the two match.
  
=== Occasional Balance Imports for Comparison ===
+
=== Occasional Manual Balance Imports for Comparison ===
Another integration point is the balance import. The client's accounting system maintains its own record of each customer's balance, independent from TrackAbout. Because of the lack of strong two-way integration, it is possible, over time, for balances in the accounting system to drift away from those of TrackAbout, the system of record. We have created a process by which a user can export customer balance reports from their accounting system, then import these reports into TrackAbout for comparison. The user can then see where the differences lie. If they so wish, they can perform a "right-sizing" and force TrackAbout to agree with the accounting system. This is achieved by adding Not-Scanned Assets to the customer balances. Generally, we prefer that customers do not right-size TrackAbout to match the accounting system, because we feel TrackAbout is the more accurate system. However, clients will sometimes have an established history with a given customer and an agreed-upon balance for which the customer is being billed rent.
+
Another integration point is the balance import. The client's accounting system maintains its own record of each customer's balance, independent from TrackAbout. Because of the lack of strong two-way integration, it is possible, over time, for balances in the accounting system to drift away from those of TrackAbout, the system of record. We have created a process by which a user can export customer balance reports from their accounting system, then import these reports into TrackAbout for comparison. The user can then see where the differences lie. If they so wish, they can perform a "[[Right Size Customer Balances|right-sizing]]" and force TrackAbout to agree with the accounting system. This is achieved by adding Not-Scanned Assets to the customer balances. Generally, we prefer that customers do not right-size TrackAbout to match the accounting system, because we feel TrackAbout is the more accurate system. However, clients will sometimes have an established history with a given customer and an agreed-upon balance for which the customer is being billed rent.

Latest revision as of 13:05, 30 November 2021

TrackAbout Feature
Feature Name: File-Based Import/Export
In Module: Core Tracking
Short Description TrackAbout can import data from flat files in various file formats.
Available In:
← Back to list


<< Back to TrackAbout API and Integration Points

Imports

TrackAbout can import data from flat files in various file formats.

Types of Imports

  • Certificates Of Analysis
  • Crib Inventory
  • Orders / Invoices / Delivery Data
  • Quality Control Data
  • Customer Balances
  • Holder/Customer Info

Manual Upload of Files to a Page

There are several pages available under the "Integration" menu section of the web site.

  • User logs in and navigates to a page in the Integration section of the web site.
  • User uploads the file manually and specifies some settings to use while processing the file.
  • User waits for processing to finish.
  • Page displays warnings or errors upon completion.

Automated Processing of Uploaded Files

For automated processing, files can be sent via secure FTP to TrackAbout for scheduled pickup.

  • User or automated process transfers the file to the TrackAbout server (usually via secure FTP).
  • Periodically the files are picked up and processed using preconfigured settings.
  • Any warnings or errors are sent to a list of preconfigured email addresses.

Regarding Secure FTP

TrackAbout supports two methods of secure file transfer.

  • SFTP (Secure FTP), which uses SSH technology. Using SFTP, TrackAbout can support either public/private key authentication or username/password authentication.
  • FTPS (FTP over SSL). With FTPS, TrackAbout can support username/password authentication.

Client certificates can be an option for authentication.

Exports

TrackAbout can export certain kinds of data to flat files. Files are placed in a secure FTP location for pickup.

Types of Exports

Common Import Scenarios

Automated Invoice Imports

The most common integration linkage to establish is the regular and automated exporting of invoice data from the accounting/order entry system and importing into TrackAbout. This enables TrackAbout to compare the invoice/order info to the actual records collected in the field by workers doing deliveries. This is a huge value-add for TrackAbout, as we help our customers catch mistakes in the field. Being able to compare expected to actuals allows TrackAbout to automatically verify delivery records when the two match.

Occasional Manual Balance Imports for Comparison

Another integration point is the balance import. The client's accounting system maintains its own record of each customer's balance, independent from TrackAbout. Because of the lack of strong two-way integration, it is possible, over time, for balances in the accounting system to drift away from those of TrackAbout, the system of record. We have created a process by which a user can export customer balance reports from their accounting system, then import these reports into TrackAbout for comparison. The user can then see where the differences lie. If they so wish, they can perform a "right-sizing" and force TrackAbout to agree with the accounting system. This is achieved by adding Not-Scanned Assets to the customer balances. Generally, we prefer that customers do not right-size TrackAbout to match the accounting system, because we feel TrackAbout is the more accurate system. However, clients will sometimes have an established history with a given customer and an agreed-upon balance for which the customer is being billed rent.