The Overdrive Merchant Import form is accessed via Maintenance Control / Miscellaneous Options / Import/Export Routines / Import Merchant File.
Tip: This process is one in a number of disparate options carried out within the Overdrive process. To understand how each option functions within the overall process please view the Overdrive Sequence help file.
Before the Overdrive interface can be used the system must have a valid set of merchant records so that repairs can be authorised; merchants are simply repair outlets that accept an Overdrive card.
In the same way, a valid card number for each vehicle that is going to be maintained must be established.
The files are created using uploads designed for the purpose
In order to import or export any files an Import/Export directory structure needs to be established for the purpose. An entry is required in the userenv.txt file as follows:
The ODBASE text needs to be specifically defined as above but the actual location of the directory will be site specific.
The location specified also needs sub-directories as follows;
The files to be sent or received utilise these directories.
When the above set-up procedures have been carried out then the Import Merchant File routine may be utilised.
The file will be supplied by Overdrive in a zipped format. Overdrive supply the data in a fixed format ASCII file. The leasing/hire company is responsible for unzipping the file and transferring it to the Overdrive $ODBASE/import/merchant directory in Unix (see above).
Once the file has been established in the correct directory the Import Merchant File process may now be utilised. The file name is Svc.txt. There is no archiving operation so for all practical purposes there should only be a single file in this directory with the .txt extension. If previous version of the file need to be stored then they should be manually copied within the Unix file system for safe keeping. Alternatively the files may be renamed prior to uploading the new file into the import directory.
The process runs and populates the merchant file with the appropriate details from the import file. The upload is incremental. If records already exist they are overwritten. If records are new they are added. The completion time for this process varies depending on how many records are being uploaded. Once the initial phase is complete and the merchant records have been read into the merchant file, the second phase begins automatically. The second phase updates or creates address groups and repairer records for each merchant record.
In order to proceed with any approvals the following record relationship must be established:
The merchant file is now ready for use.
The form is split into three areas. These are the Titlebar, the Overdrive Merchant Import Dialogue Box and a series of Command Buttons to the side of the form.
In addition to displaying the form name the Title Bar provides a number of useful buttons.
This area of the form simply contains a description of what is achieved by initiating the Overdrive Merchant Import process plus the Import File field. The description is as follows:
This process will upload the merchant details from the file show. All merchant details already held will be overwritten.
The drop-down-arrow button displays all files held in the import/merchant directory in order to enable selection of the required merchant file e.g. svc.txt.
The following command buttons are displayed:
Confirms and proceeds with the Overdrive Merchant Import option.
Cancels the process and returns to the Import/Export Routines Menu.
Provides online access to a context sensitive Help form.