Setting up imports

Configuring a new import involves these steps:

  1. Create the data source file.
  2. Verify the mapping definition.
  3. Schedule and configure the import task through the Job Scheduler module.

Creating the source data file

When setting up an import, the first step is to create a CSV source data file that adheres to the field specifications that are dictated by the standard import interface you are using. You may have to manipulate the data or pull data from various sources to compile the required input data file.

When you are importing a new record, ensure that the mandatory fields are specified; this information might not be indicated in the field specifications. For example, when importing employee data, the field specification does not indicate that EMP_LASTNAME is a mandatory field since, for existing employees, only the EMP_NAME field is required. But when importing new employee data, you must specify EMP_LASTNAME (along with other mandatory fields) since this field is mandatory when you are creating a new employee in the system. See "Employee settings and overrides" in the Infor Workforce Management Time and Attendance Implementation and Administration Guide and the appropriate module guides.

After you have created the source data file, save the file in a directory on the Job Scheduler or file server. Then ensure that future updated data files are placed in the same directory and with the same name.

Note: This procedure is for CSV formatted import data files. See Fix Width Interface.

Using different delimiters

As of release 2024.08, you can use delimiters other than comma (,) in the source data file. Supported delimiters in addition to the comma include:

  • Semicolon (;)
  • Equals (=)
  • Colon (:)
  • Tab
  • Space
  • Pipe (|)
Note: When using alternative delimiters, you must enclose data values that contain these delimiters in double quotes ("") for the import to work correctly.
If you are using the pipe delimiter in imports where the pipe symbol separates multiple values, such as the Team Import Interface and the Rotation Import Interface, then enclose those values with double quotes (""). For example: 
"~IT|DRIVER"|ADD|SUPERVISOR|WORKBRAIN|ADD

Verifying the mapping definitions

Every external value that is being imported into the application must be mapped to a value within the application. For example, an external calculation group numbered 1 might be mapped to an internal calculation group called Executive. Mapping is configured using XML through the Mapping Definitions page.

See Mapping framework.

Scheduling and configuring import tasks

After the values have been mapped, you must schedule the import task to import the data file into the import staging table. Import tasks are defined using the Job Scheduler - Import Task page.

The Interface Type field determines which standard interface you want to use. See Viewing available interface types.

The Transformer Class Name field is specific to the interface type you are using. For the required transformer class name, see the specific standard interface section within this chapter. See "Job Scheduler" and "Adding import tasks to the Job Scheduler" in the Infor Workforce Management Time and Attendance Implementation and Administration Guide.

The Transformer Script Name field can be used to apply Groovy-based extension scripts that can manipulate data. You can apply these scripts to the interface type. For information on creating custom scripts, see the Infor Workforce Management Custom Scripting Developer Guide.

Scheduling and configuring interface tasks

The last step to setting up an import involves scheduling and configuring the interface task. Similar to the import task, the interface task is defined through the Job Scheduler.

Once set up, the interface task processes the entries in the import staging table and inserts them into application tables. Each import interface has a set of parameters. See the topic in this chapter that deals with the interface that you want to use.

After you have completed the previous general import setup steps, you can set up the actual data import process to run either periodically according to the Job Scheduler scheduled run time, or manually.

For detailed configuration information for each standard interface, see the specific standard interface sections within this chapter.