ION Connect Mapping

A mapping is a description of how to transform (translate) messages, or documents, sent between internal and external resources.

In a homogeneous situation where every component speaks the same language, no mapping is required. But the data from the sending connection point may not match the expectations of the receiving connection points. For example, when using technology connectors such as the Database Connector. In that case you can use a mapping to transform the message contents.

The translated data can be used by other applications connected through ION and enables straight through processing of documents.

ION Mappings provides the capabilities to define mappings between standard or custom documents. A graphical modeler, called the Graphical mapping editor, is used to define the transformation.

You can use a graphical mapping to:

  • Change a document. For example map Sync.MyCustomSalesOrder to Sync.SalesOrder.
  • Change the verb of a document. For example, map Sync.MyProduct to Load.MyProduct.
  • Extend the document by adding content or translating data values without changing the document type. For example, map Sync.SalesOrder to Sync.SalesOrder to add some fixed property values.

You can use a sensitive data mapping to hide certain values or to remove them from the output document. When you use sensitive data mappings, you can perform these actions on document nodes:

  • Mask data from nodes.
  • Remove data from nodes.
  • Remove nodes from a document.

A mapping cannot combine two BODs or split one BOD into multiple BODs. You can achieve the latter with a parallel flow having a specific mapping in each branch.

Note: to create mappings, you must understand the structure and contents of the source and target documents. Additionally, for part of the mapping functionality you must also have sufficient background knowledge and experience regarding:
  • XML concepts such as elements, attributes and namespaces.
  • Programming concepts such as functions, input/output parameters and loops.
  • XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language Translation).

These topics are discussed:

  • Some concepts related to mapping.
  • To create, change or delete mappings.
  • To use the graphical mapping modeler.
  • To use the sensitive data mapping.
  • To use functions and user-defined functions.
  • To do advanced mapping using XSLT.
  • To test a mapping.

An overview of used icons is included.