CSV 1 integration

This chapter describes the setup and use of the module CSV 1 integration for ROB-EX Scheduler.

Using this module text files with data delimited by comma, semi colon etc. containing order and routing information can be imported into ROB-EX. The following are examples of how input text files may look like (the header row has been added to provide overview; this row will normally be omitted in actual usage).

Example CSV file 1: order header import (each line is a single production order and a suitable master route is assigned to the order during import)

Order.Id; Order.quantity; Order.customer; Order.productId; Order.description;       Order.deliveryDate; 
2001;     500;            "IPKO Ltd";     "P100-25";       "Deliver on Eur-pallet"; 11-11-12;           
2002;     250;            "Red Star Ltd"; "313309-NE";     "Picked up by carrier";  13-11-12;           
2003;     390;            "Technic Ltd";  "S199-01";       "5555 5512";             08-11-12;           

Example CSV file 2: order and operation import (each line is an operation – for additional requirements see Operation fields section)

Order.Id, Order.DeliveryDate, Order.quantity, Order.routeId, Opr.name, Opr.opNum, Opr.Workload,  Opr.PostQueue
1000,     2012-04-09,         500,            1000,          Cutting,        10,    5.5,         2
1000,     2012-04-09,         500,            1000,          Painting,       20,    4.0,         0

Before import is possible a template describing how data in the import file is mapped into corresponding ROB-EX fields must be created using a built in wizard.

In this chapter you are guided through:

• How to create a template for mapping imported data
• How to use the Textfile Plugin macro and general settings
• How to import order data

The following data can be imported:

Project

Order

Operation

In order to import route and operation data some some additional consideration must be taken.

First please observe that each row in the imported file must represent a single operation. Hence to import an order with three operations then the import file must contain three rows. Each row repeats the same order no, route id etc. but contains different operation name, operation workload etc.

Secondly observe this important requirement: The default interpretation of a line in the imported text file is a single order, so in order to enable operation import the following setting must be copy/pasted into the custom\GanttSetup.properties file:

textio.createOperationMultipleRows=true
textio.createRouteEvenNoTemplate=true

Also see additional information in the section for Order.routeId:

Create a template for how imported data is mapped

Before data can be imported a template of how data is mapped between the import file and ROB-EX fields must be created using the build in template generation wizard. The created template is used every time new data is imported. Multiple templates can be created in order to import data from files with different mappings.

Create the template using the 3-step-wizard available from the menu “Files->Import->Text file”:

Press the “New” button in order to create a new import template. The 3-step-wizard is started.

Step 1 of 3

	Select the text import file to be used as a model for setting up the text import template. The text import file must have the same format as the files to be imported. When the text import file is selected, the content of the file is shown in the field “File contents”.
	Select windows or DOS format.
	Press Next in order to go to step 2 in the wizard.

Step 2 of 3

	Select the field delimiter: tabulator, semicolon, comma, space or a user defined character.
	Select a text qualifier character used to indicate the start and end of text strings, e.g. quotation marks (“).
	When selecting field delimiter and text qualifier the guide imports the text in a table. The field delimiter is used to put data in to columns.
	Press Next to go to step 3 in the import wizard.

Step 3 of 3

	The fields available in the text file are placed in columns. Select a column to specify that it should be imported.
	The selected column can have three different formats: Standard: the column in the import file is automatically translated according to the ROB-EX field it is linked to. Date: specifies that the column has to be imported as a date (see below for details on the date format). No import: the selected column will not be imported. When selecting Standard or Date a field to link to, must be selected (see below for details on possible fields to link to).
	Enter a date format or select one of the default formats. Press Help for a list of symbols that can be used in the date format
	Select the field in ROB-EX the import field should be linked to: Press the button Select to open the Field chooser showing the available fields. Select a field and press Ok.
	In some cases the import text file does not contain a column for a desired field in ROB-EX. To specify a default value to a missing ROB-EX field press the “Add virtual column” to put a constant value in one of the fields in ROB-EX. The column is added at the end of the column list. Select the new added virtual columns , and select the field the value shall be linked to . The example above will put “20” (Planned) as the orders state for all imported orders.
	Press the Advanced button to specify decimal and grouping separator.
	Press the Finish button to save the setup. Enter the filename for the template and an alias in the dialog.

Note: , , and must be completed for all columns that need to be imported.

The import template is ready for use either in a macro as explained below or by manual execution as explained in the chapter Importing Data.

Using the Textfile Plugin macro and general settings

The auto detection settings will enable automatic import of CSV files when files have been changed. A file change could be that a new file is created in a specified directory or a named file is created or updated. To enable the automatic import create one or more macros using the “New” button and assign either a directory pattern or a named file the macro will monitor. Once the file(s) have been detected as changed the macro lines added to the macro will be executed.

By creating multiple macros the auto detection feature can monitor the change of multiple files in different locations.

	Create, rename and delete macros.
	Setting for the macro: import file name, template file name etc. The following paragraph is a guide in how to setup a macro Double click on a macro in the macro list in column “Filename” to select the file to be imported. If clicking “Open” in the file chooser when a directory is selected, you will be prompted to enter a file pattern. Alternatively press “Open” when a single file has been selected. In the Setup column double click the cell and navigate to a previously created setup file stored in the “custom” directory of your ROB-EX installation, e.g. f:\scheduler\planner\custom. The naming convention for the setup files are “timp_*.properties”
	Change the order the macros are executed in.
	Executes the selected macro.
	Activates auto detection of new files at the specified time interval.
	Add or remove macro commands to the macro. See Macro editing for details on available macro commands.
	Options for the Textfile import in general.

Importing data

When the setup of an import template is completed (please refer to the previous chapter Create a Template) import of text files is possible.

If not importing operations, then during the import ROB-EX will search for suitable master routes for the imported orders.

• If an imported order has the same product name as a route in ROB-EX, the imported order is connected to the route. The order is given the status “New” of no other status is imported.
• If there is not found a route in ROB-EX which has the same name as the product name of the imported order, the imported order is not connected to a route. The order will in this case be given the status “Incomplete”. The user must in those cases after import find a suitable route for the order before it can be planned. This is done from the order list by selecting Edit and then select a route for the order.

A text file is imported this way:

1. Select “Import->Text file” in the Files menu.
2. In the window “Text import” select the name of an already created import template.
   

1. Press the button Continue to start the import.
2. Select the file to be imported in the window “Open import file” and press Open.
3. The data from the file is imported into ROB-EX.
4. Imported orders receives the status “Incomplete” or “New” if no other status is given.