Prepare structure data

Two types of information are needed to import database structure: structure data and configuration data. Structure data defines the members, hierarchies, properties, attributes, and formulas each database dimension uses to manage data. The data can be created by:

• Compiling from your existing information systems. The information systems that store your company data are the primary source for structure data. For example, your company most likely has an information system that tracks the accounts and the types of entries that can be made within each account. There are probably additional rules and formulas that you use in association with certain accounts and/or account entries for reporting or tracking purposes.
• Modifying an existing text file. You can use two approaches when making text file modifications. What you choose depends upon the nature of the needed changes. Does the mapping between the structure data and database need to be changed? Does the actual content need to be changed in some way? If mapping is the issue, the configuration file can be re-mapped within the Import Wizard. For content, the text file must change.
• Exporting the structure of an existing database. Running the Export Wizard generates both text files and configuration files of an existing database.
• Building a text file manually. Sometimes, documentation is not available for aspects of your business that you want to track or that are required by the CPM database. In those cases, text files must be created if bulk loading the data is preferable to defining structure within Architect.
• Importing from a database table or view. Import data directly from database tables or views in your source system.

The configuration file (.XML) defines the layout of the structure data. It identifies how the data is arranged and where it belongs in your CPM database. It also adds default values to properties that the CPM database requires but were not included in (and not required by) the structure data. You can think of a configuration file as the Import Wizard's guide for correctly delivering structure content to your CPM database. Configuration files are created through the Import Wizard or by exporting an existing database.