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. Currently, only full price file updates are available for Renault.
When the Automatic price file update option is selected, the main job called FULL is created automatically if it does not already exist, according to preferences specified in the franchise-specific software. This record is normally created on set-up by, or an advice from, an Autoline consultant. For further details, refer to Set-up.
Job records contain all the parameters required to upload and convert the source data files from the manufacturer. The parameters 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, the number of price file backups to keep, and the Point-of-Sale company to reference for the nominated dealer number. There should be no need to change the parameter values because they are set up by the software. However, you may need to edit a job record if there is a change to the nominated dealer, or change the GFT record from time to time.
In the event that the nominated dealer changes, there is a parameter on the job record called Point-of-Sale company no. (for dealer no.). This parameter references the MS Parameters and Controls record used by the system to identify the dealer number. If the nominated dealer changes, you must edit the Point-of-Sale company on the job record. Alternatively, if the dealer number changes, you must edit the dealer number on the MS Parameters and Controls record, and ensure that the correct Point-of-Sale company is entered on the job record.
What do you want to do?
See help about the 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:
PUSH 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 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 parameters used by Renault, their meaning and settings (values).
. Running a job enables you to temporarily edit the parameters. To make permanent changes to the parameters, you must edit the job record. However, there should be no need to make changes to the parameter values because they are set up by the software.
| Parameter name | Value |
|---|---|
| Import files (using GFT) | Do you want to import source price data files? For Renault, set to YES. |
| Source price data directory | Directory on the Autoline system in which the source data file is placed after it is imported from the TDFA PC 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. For Renault, set to ^XFR. |
| Source price data file (e.g. ('RE.PARTS.MM.YYYY') | 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. For Renault, the default setting is RE.PARTS.%mm.%cc%yy. |
| Update price file | Do you want to update the existing price file with data in the source file? For Renault, set to YES. |
| 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 standardized 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. |
Parameter name: Identifies a field on the job header record.
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 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 parameters used by Renault, their meaning and settings (values).
There should be no need to change the parameter values because they are set up by the software. However, if the nominated dealer changes, you must edit the value of the Point-Of-Sale company no.(for dealer no.). 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. For Renault, set to YES. |
| 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. For Renault, set to PPF-FUL.00. |
| Initialise price file before update | Do you want to initialise the existing price file before it is updated? YES or NO. For Renault set to 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. For Renault, set to YES. |
| 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. For Renault, set to YES. |
| Update GFT with most recent remote price file | Do you want to update the Remote filename field on the Generic File Transfer record with the most recent price filename retrieved from the remote directory on the TDFA PC? YES or NO. For Renault, the default setting is YES. |
| Point-Of-Sale company no. (for dealer no.) | Point-of-Sale company number of the MS parameters and controls record referenced by the system for the dealer number. The dealer number is nominated by Renault, and is used by the update to locate the TDFA PC on which the remote file is held. By default, this field is empty. You may need to change this parameter if the nominated dealer changes. |
Parameter name: Identifies a field on the job header record.
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 this may be done:
Each time a job is run successfully either automatically or manually, you must remember to update the stock file from the price file. If you are a Renault Trade Partner, you must also re-price the price file before the stock file is updated.
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 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.
Assuming 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).
If the job completed successfully, and you are a Renault Trade Partner, you must now re-price the price file. If you are not a Renault Trade Partner, you can proceed to the next step.
You must now run the Update stock from price file option to update the SM stock file with the latest prices.
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.
