In order for an automatic price update to be performed, a job record must exist for each type of price update. Depending on the manufacturer/supplier, up to two jobs are available, a full price file update and a minor price file update. Job records contain all the parameters required to upload and convert the source data files from the manufacturer. These job records are automatically created when the Automatic price file update option is selected for the first time, according to preferences specified in the franchise-specific software. A Generic File Transfer (GFT) record is also normally required to retrieve the files, and is normally created when a job is run for the first time. In order for the job to run automatically at specific times, it is also necessary to set up a daemon control record that is called by a Timed Operation. All of these tasks are normally performed manually on set-up by, or on advice fro m, an Autoline consultant.
Each job record contains parameters that hold dealer-specific and advanced information. The dealer-specific information specifies, for example, the file transfer method, and the location and name of the source data. The advanced information specifies, for example, whether price tables are always backed up and the number of price file backups to keep. You might need to edit a record if there are changes to the source data or location, or the process employed by the manufacturer.
What do you want to do?
See help about the [Action] Automatic Price File Update Job form
This form, in one of four variants, is displayed in these circumstances:
The Select Automatic Price File Update Job form is displayed when you select File > Run from the menu bar or you click Run job on the Automatic Price File Update form.
The Create Automatic Price File Update Job form is displayed when you select File > New from the menu bar on the Automatic Price File Update form.
The Edit Automatic Price File Update Job form is displayed when you select File > Edit from the menu bar on the Automatic Price File Update form.
The Delete Automatic Price File Update Job form is displayed when you select File > Delete from the menu bar on the Automatic Price File Update form.
It enables you to run a job, and create, edit or delete a job.
Job ID: Up-to-ten-character job identifier.
Job type: Type of update. For example, FULL Full price file update or MINOR Minor price file update.
Tabs:
Buttons:
Note: While each variant of this form includes a Cancel button, only one other button is included; Run, Delete, or OK, depending on the exact use of the form.
Run: Displayed only on the Select Automatic Price File Update Job form, it enables you to manually run the selected job.
Delete: Displayed only on the Delete Automatic Price File Update Job form, it deletes the selected job.
OK: Displayed only on the Create Automatic Price File Update Job form and Edit Automatic Price File Update Job form, it creates or saves the job.
Cancel: Returns you to the Automatic Price File Update form, abandoning any changes to the job.
This tab is part of the [Action] Automatic Price File Update Job form. The tab contains parameters that hold dealer-specific information about the job. The following table gives an example of the standard parameters, their meaning and possible settings (values). The parameter names may vary, or you may see additional parameters, according to the requirements of your manufacturer.
You might need to edit the parameters from time to time. For example, if the location of the source data changes, you must edit the value of the Source price data directory. Running a job enables you to temporarily edit the parameters. To make permanent changes to the parameters, you must edit the job record.
| Parameter name | Value |
|---|---|
| Import files | Do you want to import source price data files? YES or NO |
| Source price data directory | Directory on the Autoline system in which the source data file is placed after it is imported from the remote system by the Generic File Transfer (GFT). To this end, the directory here must match the Autoline path setting in the GFT record used for the franchise. The usual convention is to place any imported files into the ^XFR directory on the Autoline system, although the path may vary according to the requirements of the manufacturer. |
| Source price data file | Name of the source price data file. This is unique to the manufacturer, and must match the Autoline filename setting in the GFT record used for the franchise. |
| Initialise price file? | Do you want to initialise the existing price file before it is updates or not? YES or NO. |
| Update price file | Do you want to update the existing price file with data in the source file? YES or NO. |
| Update supersessions | Do you want to update the existing supersessions file with data in the source file? YES or NO. |
| Last successful run log (double click to view) | Path in which the last run log is held. This is set by the software each time the Run job button is clicked. The directory and filename are built up in a standard manner as follows:
Directory = Home directory/MS/logs/Product Code (PPF) The Product Code is set by the software when the job is run and the Event is set to the Job ID for the job you are running. Tip: Double-click the parameter to view the log file. |
| Build SS chains table? | When the Automatic price file update option runs the job involved, should the software automatically build the supersession chain file for the manufacturer? |
| Update stock files? | When the Automatic price file update option runs the job involved, should the software automatically update the parts stock file or files in the Stock Management module? |
Parameter name: Identifies a field on the job header record. The parameter names vary according to the requirements of the manufacturer.
Value: Content of the Parameter name field.
Tip: To Edit, Reset or Reset all parameters, click the right mouse button and select the required command from the shortcut menu. Alternatively, double-click a line to edit a parameter.
This tab is part of the [Action] Automatic Price File Update Job form. The tab contains parameters that hold advanced information about the job. The following table gives an example of the standard parameters, their meaning and possible settings (values). The parameter names may vary, or you may see additional parameters, according to the requirements of your manufacturer.
In the event that you are required to make changes to the parameters, running a job only enables you to make temporary changes. To make permanent changes to the parameters, you must edit the job record.
| Parameter name | Value |
|---|---|
| Always backup tables | Do you always want to backup existing price tables before they are updated? YES or NO |
| No. of price file backups to keep (default=2) | Number of price file backups to keep. The default setting is 2. |
| Generic file transfer ID | ID of the Generic File Transfer (GFT) record that is used to control the transfer of the source data from the remote location to the Autoline system. |
| Initialise price file before update | Do you want to initialise the existing price file before it is updated? YES or NO |
| Update pricefile with exclusive access only | YES or NO. Relates to the opening of the existing parts price file for the manufacturer when the update job is run. It refers to the level of access that the job needs to open the file. Exclusive access means that no other users should be accessing the file while the update is being run. If the parameter is set to YES, the update job opens the file for its own exclusive access so, if any other users are referencing the price file, this fails. |
| Force exclusive access | YES or NO. Also relates to the opening of the parts price file for the manufacturer when the update job is run, and works in conjunction with the Update pricefile with exclusive access only parameter. If there is a problem when opening the price file for exclusive access, setting this parameter to YES causes the software to attempt to force exclusive access to the parts price file for the manufacturer. If exclusive access is required and cannot be obtained, and the Force exclusive access parameter is set to YES, the software reports: ERROR. Could not force open price file with exclusive access and the update is cancelled. If exclusive access is required and cannot be obtained, and the Force exclusive access parameter is set to NO, the software also reports: ERROR. Could not open price file with exclusive access and the update is cancelled. |
Parameter name: Identifies a field on the job header record. The parameter names vary according to the requirements of the manufacturer.
Value: Content of the Parameter name field.
Tip: To Edit, Reset or Reset all parameters, click the right mouse button and select the required command from the shortcut menu. Alternatively, double-click a line to edit a parameter.
Sometimes there is a requirement to run a job manually. There are several reasons why this may be done:
To run a job:
Note: You are only required to run a job manually if the system is not set up to run automatically or the Timed Operation has failed.
Display the Automatic Price File Update form and do one of the following:
Select File > Run from the menu bar
Click Run job.
The Select Automatic Price File Update Job form is displayed.
Select the Job Id that you want to run.
If necessary, you can make temporary changes to the parameters by double-clicking the appropriate grid row and editing as required, but the changes are lost after the update.
Tip: To make permanent changes to the parameters, edit the job record.
Click Run.
If the update runs successfully, text lines detailing the stages of the update appear in the Log summary on the [Action] Automatic Price File Update Job form. Eventually the Progress bar indicates completion and you get one of two results:
A RETURN box is displayed containing the message Run successful.
A RETURN box is displayed containing a message about the fault.
In either case, click OK.
A View log? dialog box is displayed.
To display the update log, click OK on the View log? dialog box, otherwise click No.
If you click OK, a View Log File form is displayed containing a more detailed equivalent of the Log summary.
Click Close.
You are returned to the Automatic Price File Update form, containing a Log summary of the update (or attempted update).
When the job is completed successfully, you must run the Update stock from price file option to update the SM stock file with the latest prices. The currency used depends on your manufacturer.
To create a job:
Display the Automatic Price File Update form and select File > New from the menu bar.
The Create Automatic Price File Update Job form is displayed containing a blank Job ID.
Enter the new Job ID, amend the Job title, and amend grid rows as necessary by double-clicking them.
When you double-click a grid row, an Edit Parameter box is displayed containing the line in an edit box, whose OK button returns you to the Create Automatic Price File Update Job form.
When you have amended the Dealer and the fields on the Advanced tab as necessary, click OK.
A Create GFT import record confirmation box is displayed containing the message:
Do you want to create GFT record? [record identifier]
Click Yes.
A RETURN box is displayed containing the message:
GFT ID created: [record identifier]
Click OK.
The new price file update job record is stored and you are returned to the Automatic Price File Update form.
To edit a job:
Select File > Edit from the menu bar on the Automatic Price File Update form.
The Edit Automatic Price File Update Job form is displayed.
Amend grid rows as necessary by double-clicking them.
Editing some lines displays an Edit Parameter dialog, in which you edit the value in the text box and click OK. In contrast, YES/NO fields switch between the values (YES and NO) when you double-click the field.
When you have amended the fields on the Dealer and Advanced tabs, click OK.
The amended price file update job record is stored and you are returned to the Automatic Price File Update form.
To delete a job:
Select File > Delete from the menu bar on the Automatic Price File Update form.
The Delete Automatic Price File Update Job form is displayed.
Click Delete.
A Delete GFT confirmation box is displayed containing the message:
Do you want to delete GFT record as well? GFT ID: [record identifier]
Click Yes.
The selected price file update job record is deleted and you are returned to the Automatic Price File Update form.