External transfer profiles

You can use external transfer profiles to process a data file in one format, from an application external to SunSystems, and save the processed data in a new file with a different format. You can use all the facilities of Transfer Desk to process the data, such as map, lookup, assign to and function. Use Format Designer to define a format for the source or target data file and use Transformation Designer to define the structure of the target data file. For example you can transfer the data from a flat file from another system to XML or comma delimited format.

Use External Transfer Profile Designer to create a new external transfer profile as follows:

  1. Open Transfer Profiles (TRP).
  2. Click New Profile.
    Transfer Profile Designer opens.
  3. Complete this information:
    Profile Type
    Select External Transfer to open the External Transfer Profile Designer dialog.
    Profile Name
    Enter a unique profile name. This name is given to your profile and identifies the profile.
    Description
    Enter a description of the profile.
    Source Data Format
    Select a source data format. This usually matches the target component.
    File basis
    Click the File basis drop-down list to specify whether the file basis is client or server.

    You can override this option at run time.

    File name
    Click the browse button on the value field and navigate to the file required.

    You can override this option at run time.

    File action
    The source File action runtime option is exclusive to Imports. Click File action. The Source File Action dialog opens. In the Action list, select the action to be performed once processing is complete:
    • None (default)
    • Delete after processing
    • Rename after processing
    • Move after processing

    If you choose to rename, you must enter the new name in the subsequent field.

    If you choose to move the source file, you must enter the new location in the subsequent field or click Browse to open the Server Folder dialog, where you can select a folder as the destination.

    You can override this option at run time.

    Target Data Format
    Select a target data format. This usually matches the source component.
    Transformation
    Select a transformation.

    Where the source and target are the same SunSystems data format, a default system transformation is provided for you. You must create a transformation if the source and target formats are not compatible.

    File basis
    Click the File basis drop-down list to specify whether the file basis is client or server.

    You can override this option at run time.

    File name
    Click the browse button on the value field and navigate to the file required.

    You can override this option at run time.

    File encoding
    Select the type of character encoding used in the export file. Common types are UTF-8 and ASCII. Contact your system administrator if you are unsure of which type to use.

    You can override this option at run time.

    Generate unique file name
    Only available for export profiles and external transfer profiles. Select No to use the file name entered above, or select Yes to add a unique suffix to the file name at run time.

    You can override this option at run time.

    Overwrite file of same name
    Only available for export profiles and external transfer profiles, and when the Generate unique file name is set to No. Select Yes to allow the file to be overwritten if it already exists. Select No to ensure a file is not overwritten if it has the same name as the filename specified above.

    You can override this option at run time.

    Append to file of same name
    Only available for export profiles and external transfer profiles, and when the Generate unique file name is set to No. Select Yes to append the output data to the file specified in the filename. Select No to ensure a file is not appended to if it has the same name as the filename.

    You can override this option at run time.

    Email Notification
    In the Email Notification list, select Enabled to notify users when the profile has been processed, otherwise select Disabled.

    You can override this option at run time.

    Email Address
    Enter the full email address to which you want a notification sent when processing is complete, using the appropriate format, such as name@emailserver.address. If you want to notify several email addresses, list them all in this field, separating each with a semi colon.
    Note: Email addresses are not validated, therefore you are recommended to verify they are correct.

    You can override this option at run time.

    Email Content
    The email notification automatically contains the text for whether the process has succeeded or failed. If you want to append any additional text to the notification, enter it here, otherwise leave blank.

    You can override this option at run time.

  4. Click Save Profile.
    Note: You can use the '*' asterisk wild-card, and the '?' question mark, when entering the source and target file names.

    Click Discard Changes if you do not want to save the new profile.

  5. Click Yes to return to Transfer Profiles, or click No to remain in Transfer Profile Designer.