PI Import Definition Setup - Product Mapping overview

With this mapping, you can specify the fields you want to import, and their exact location in each record. If you do not want to import the value in a specific field, you would retain the default of 0 (zero) for the field location. To map the fields in each record in the import file, you must have a record layout provided by your supplier. The record layout defines how the raw data is stored in each record.

The fields in the Product Mapping view differ depending on the import type: Delimited files or Begins/Length files.

• Delimited files: When you map the fields for a delimited import file, you are required to specify the field locator number only. This is the numeric location of the delimited field. You would not count any delimiters or quotation marks when identifying the field locator. Fields that are defined with a zero field locator are not loaded during the import process. These may be fields in the import file that are not pertinent to your business, or are not compatible with any fields in Distribution SX.e files.

  Up to 200 fields can be imported from a delimited file. You can specify the same locator for different fields. For example, you can load the product number value defined in the import file into the edit file's product and cross reference (X-Ref) fields. Then, specify the same field locator in both fields on the mapping section. Delimited files cannot contain different record layouts; each record in the file must be laid out in the exact same manner.

• Begins/Length files: You may need to map files requiring a Begin and Length field.

  • Fixed length files: Fixed length files require that you specify the field locator and the exact length of each field you are mapping. Fixed length import files have predefined field parameters in each record. For example, the product description may begin at field locator 40 and end at 56 for every single record in the file. Each record is laid out in the same manner. Multiple record layouts in fixed length files are not compatible with Product Import.

  • Trade Service files: Import files from Trade Service Company are predefined and require no mapping, except for Notes fields and cross reference or user fields. Therefore, those are the only fields accessible on the Product Mapping section for Trade Service files. All other fields are display only. To create Product Extended Cross Reference Setup interchange records, you must map the X-Ref fields. Up to four can be mapped. Contact Trade Service Company for their record layout for the import file.

  • Custom import files: Custom import files can be mapped in the same manner as fixed length files. A beginning field locator, and field length for each field you want to import, can be specified. All product mapping fields are available for custom import files.