This process is carried out by accessing a number of forms. The purpose of these forms is to enable the raw data file, created by the preferred third-party data supplier application and containing the latest data for appropriate vehicle variants, to be imported into the Franchise Data module. Once imported, the data is to be moved from "next" to "current" at the required time.
Third Party Source Download
Dependent upon whether a third-party data supplier is being used to provide data for a particular area (for example, Franchise, Residual, Maintenance values, etc) then one or more of the following files is to be provided by the third-party application software:
The David Henley DUSQ system, for example, will normally have a standard Download facility set up within the "T - Data Transfer Routines " main menu option and accessible via the DUSQ Executive grid.
Output files are always exported in a standard ASCII format and the output destination will be either a local P.C. or Network directory path. The Franchise Data Import Directory field within the System Parameters form (see below) must be set up to contain the appropriate local P.C. or network directory path containing these files in order to enable the successful import of franchise data.
Important Regardless of third-part data source, Heavy Commercial data needs to be set up manually as data is only provided for Cars and Light Commercial Vehicles.
Data Import Sequence
Prior to any data import routine being performed it is essential to consider the import sequence of data files, which should be as follows:
The Franchise Data (DQV70MOT.001) file must be imported first as the vehicle variant record must exist prior to residual and maintenance value updates.
Franchise Data Import Fields
The following data is contained within the Franchise Data (DQV70MOT.001) imported file:
David Henley CAP Franchise Code (2 Chars) for example, FO Franchise Code (2 Chars) for example, FO Franchise Description for example, FORD Franchise Description for example, FORD Model Code for example, MONDEO Model Code for example, MONDEO HAT Variant Code for example, FO000456 (Unique 8 digit DUSQ code) Variant Code for example, FO000456 (Unique 8 digit DUSQ code) Vehicle Description Vehicle Description Current Variant Indicator (Y/N) N/A No. of Doors No. of Doors Fuel Type Fuel Type Cubic Capacity Cubic Capacity Production Level Curr/Pre/Old (C/P/O) N/A Model Year for example, 95A, 95B, etc N/A End of Current Production N/A List Price Basic List Price Basic Car Tax Car Tax Dealer Margin (%) N/A Insurance Group N/A Price Date Effective Price Date Effective Option Begin Code Option Begin Code FFO Option Code FFO Option Code Option Description Option Description FFO List Price (Basic) FFO List Price (Basic) FFO Car Tax FFO Car Tax Availability (O/S/F) Availability (O/S/F)
1. System Parameters form
The first form to be visited is Franchise Data System Parameters which is accessed by way of the System Maintenance option within the Franchise Data primary menu. Once the appropriate parameters have been set up it is not necessary to make any further changes.
Ensuring that the correct Company (for example, 73 ) is selected, it is necessary, for data import purposes, to set up the following fields:
- Country Code
The appropriate country code is selected from the drop-down list.
- Commercial Vehicle Style
An appropriate code (for example, VPW ) is entered and used, when performing an import, to determine if a particular variant is a commercial vehicle or not.
- Create/update colour and trim options
A check box which, if selected, enables the import routine to create or amend any existing colour and trim options.
- Process current variant only
A check box which, if selected, determines that the import routine processes current vehicle variants only. If deselected, data for old variants is imported. This check box should be selected for current variants only.
- Use Margins
A check box which, if selected, enables the import of dealer margins (or discount off the retail price which the dealer receives from the manufacturer) which relate exclusively to vehicles.
- Franchise Data Import Directory
Contains the local P.C. or network directory path containing the file to be imported.
- Vehicle Stock Type
Use the Amend Command Button to edit the set-up options of the current Company record. No edits can be made to a record until the Amend button has been selected. The Save Command Button is used to save any edits.
2. David Henley Update form
The David Henley Update form is accessed by way of the Franchise Data / David Henley menu options.
Ensure that the correct Company is selected when entering the Franchise Data module.
The Franchise data file basically includes manufacturer, model and variant with latest prices and factory options (see above for complete list). Additional data files are also available for the import of Residual Values, Maintenance Values, Body Colours & Trim ,and Manufacturer Discounts & Bonuses.
The first data import requires that all manufacturers, models & variants need to be imported. However, subsequent data imports require the upload of only the relevant manufacturers, models & variants updated by the latest diskettes from the preferred data supplier. This can be established by reference to the documentation accompanying the diskettes.
Within the David Henley Update form a series of option buttons and check boxes are displayed, of which only the following need concern the fleet user:
The Import and Convert option button is selected by default on entering the form (the Convert David Henley Data/Update Files buttons below this option need not concern the fleet user). The Cancel command button aborts the import routine and returns to the David Henley menu. The OK command button confirms the selection and displays the pop-up Confirm Input box. Two selection choices are available.
Two command buttons are available as follows:
Stop-now
This command button effects a return to the David Henley Update form without taking any action.
Continue
This command button displays a Select Franchise List Box. All franchises that have been detected in the data import file are displayed in an alphabetic list. A scroll box is presented to enable the user to view the entire list of franchises.
Within the List Box , selection/deselection of the required item(s) can be carried out in a number of ways using standard windows functionality (see Navigating the form ). Franchises which are required for import should be selected at this point.
The Cancel command button aborts the import routine and returns to the David Henley Update form.
Selection of the OK command button proceeds to final stage of import confirmation. The final Confirm Input form displays the following message:
File Created - 99/99/99 (where 99/99/99 is today's date)
The Do not Conv command button exits the import routine and returns to the David Henley Update form. The This-is-th command button is used to confirm and generate the data import routine. A final Processing form is displayed. The Titlebar of the form displays the directory pathname and filename of the file being processed ( n.b. the original filename of DQV70MOT.001 has now been replaced with the converted filename of henley.1 ) and the form displays the following message:
The system is currently converting the David Henley raw data from the update floppy into a database file. This process cannot be stopped.
A series of blue boxes is displayed in the middle of the form denoting progress of the file loading routine while messages are presented at the bottom of the form displaying the current import phase for example, Updating Next generation price/spec for MONDEO
The processing for the import routine caries out the following three phases for each model variant:
Processing Model.....
Blanking Next Generation Prices (where appropriate).....
Updating Next Generation Process/Spec for Model.....
Extending File (where appropriate)....
Building File Index (where appropriate)....
The Import & Convert facility performs a number of routines. An Upload routine will convert the third-party supplier ASCII data file into the appropriate work file format (for example, UNIX/Windows). A Convert routine then transfers this file into a Kestrel format and imports into Franchise Data . The file can then be interrogated via the View David Henley Update File option.
The system will then rebuild the Vehicle Specification (DD_specv)
Following the Import & Convert process, the Option Set-up Model Sequence Path routine may be run (accessed via System/Quotations/Kerridge Utilities ). This sets up the sequence for the Model/Variants in the correct order so that they can be accessed from the correct place when creating quotations.
The data now exists within the Franchise Data module and can be interrogated to confirm this fact. At this point only Franchise Data will exist. Should additional import routines (for example, Residual and Maintenance data) be required then the appropriate files must now be loaded.
All values automatically update the "next" period fields within Franchise Data . Selection of this option button displays a List Box. The Move "Next" Specification To "Current" List Box is used against available franchises.
All franchises detected as having variant information held within the "Next" period are displayed in an alphabetic list. A scroll box is presented to enable the user to view the entire list of franchises.
Within the List Box , selection/deselection of the required item(s) can be carried out in a number of ways using standard windows functionality (see Navigating the form ). Franchises which are to be processed are selected at this point.
The Cancel command button aborts the import routine and returns to the David Henley Update form.
Selection of the OK command button proceeds displays a final form which shows the progress of appropriate model variants as they move from the Next period to Current .
A series of blue boxes is displayed in the middle of the form displaying progress of the file loading routine. Above this, messages are the current import phase for example, Updating Next generation price/spec for MONDEO
Selection with the mouse of the "Print a report of the changes made" check box enables a printed record of the price period changes to be interrogated and kept on file for analysis purposes (what is contained on report???)
Backs up the original files before the update routine is carried out.
If selected, shows any errors encountered immediately to form.