Ford uses a NT-based PC, called the BCM server, which is situated at the dealer and connected, through a special Ford-supplied router, to the Ford systems in Warley. Each dealer has on this system in Warley a dealer mailbox and a common mailbox for non-dealer-specific files.
The BCM server is set up to send and receive information by fixed file routing in fixed file format called EDIFACT. To overcome problems with translations, codes are used in the master files instead of descriptions. These codes point to pre-defined tables, which are called Lexicon, or Market files.
The following defined files are received on the dealer BCM server:
Files supplied from the common mailbox
Parts full price file
Parts price amendments
Parts lexicon and market files
Labour timed operation master
Labour lexicon files
Menu-Pricing master
Fluid codes for menus
Menu-Pricing lexicon files
Files supplied on the dealer mailbox
Parts advice notes/invoices
Vehicle status information from the Vista system
Vehicle billing invoices
The following defined file can be sent from the BCM server:
Parts ordering
Before you use the BCM Communication system you must ensure that it is set up correctly. This is normally carried out by, or on advice from, a consultant.
This menu is displayed when you click FORD OPERATIONS menu > Ford BCM communication. It enables you to use the Ford BCM server to send and receive information by fixed file routing, in a fixed file format called EDIFACT.
Access permissions, called priorities, determine whether a particular menu option is displayed. Each menu option is assigned a priority when the program is installed. Your administrator assigns each user a priority. Any menu option whose priority is higher than your own is omitted from the menu. If you think you need access to a menu option described in this help but it does not appear in the actual menu, check with your administrator.
Menu - Outgoing communication: Enables you to send data to the BCM server.
Menu - Incoming communication: Enables you to collect data from the BCM server and process it for use in the Autoline system.
Communication types: Enables you to check and amend communication type date.
Communication parameters: Enables you to check and amend the communication parameters.
Rebuild Supersession Chains: Enables you to run a system process that reads the supersession file and checks for any duplicate entries. The last entry in the list is retained and duplicates are deleted.
