PDF2Attribute

First introduced in version 5.4.1: Using the PDF2Attribute feature you can extract attributes from a .pdf file when importing item data in iPIM Supply. The storage location of the .pdf file is referenced via the respective URL which in a column of the imported catalog file. In the process of the import, pairs of attributes and attribute values are created.

Note
Before the feature can be used, it is necessary to create an AiHub profile including users with access to the profile. In addition, the corresponding workflows and services must be created along with the respective properties. Regarding this, contact your project manager.

Using the example of an initial import for a supplier catalog, this chapter explains how to extract item data from a.pdf file. Hereby, the following catalog file is imported. In this catalog file, the URL of the .pdf file is listed in the “Product data sheet” column.

The product data sheet contains the following informations:

Create the catalog

In this step, the calaog is created:

  1. In catalog overview of iPIM Supply, click on the Add catalog to call up the corresponding dialog box.
  1. Select the option “Supplier catalog” from the “Catalog type” menu .
  2. Enter a catalog name in the “Catalog name” field .
  3. Select a supplier from the “Supplier” menu .
  4. Select a locale from the “Language” menu . This is the locale level the imported item data is stored on by default.
  5. Select a context from the “Context” menu . This is the context level the imported item data is stored on by default.
  1. Select a user from the “User” menu .
  2. Select the option “Import articles via file” from the “Source type” menu .
  3. Click on the Save button to finalise the catalog creation. The dialog box closes and you are directed to the catalog process overview of the newly created catalog.

Configure the import

In this step, the import is configured:

  1. In the “Import” column, click on “Import” to call up the import configuration.
  1. Select the option “Full assortment” from the “Import modue” menu .
  2. Select the option “Excel 2007-2013 (XLSX)” from the “Format” menu . This is the import format for .xlsx files.
  3. Enter the name of the import file spreadsheet in the “Excel sheet name” field .
  4. Enter the name of the column containing the item number in the “Unique item ID column” field .
  5. Enter the name of the column containing the item name in the “Supplier item name” field .
  6. Click on the Save button to finalise the import configuration. A success message is shown.

Modify the catalog configuration

In this step, the catalog configuration is modified:

  1. Go to the catalog overview.
  1. In the table row of the catalog, click on the Settings button to call up the corresponding dialog box.
  1. Click on the Add button to add a new set of input fields.
  2. In the input field of the “Key” column, enter the value “ai-attribute-recognition-column-identifier-url”.
  3. In the input field of the “Value” column, enter the name of the table column that contains the URL of the .pdf file.
  4. Click on the Save button to save your input. A success message is shown.
  5. Click on the Deletebutton to close the dialog box.

Carry out the import

In this step, the import is carried out.

  1. Go back to the catalog process overview of the catalog.
  1. In the “Import” column, click on the Execute button to call up the corresponding dialog box.
  1. Drag the catalog file over the drop area and drop it there. Or click on the Browse files button to call up the file via the file manager.Chevron rightThe file is loaded into the cache and the file name is shown below the drop area.
  2. Click on the Start import button to trigger the import.Chevron rightThe dialog box closes and a success message is shown.
  1. In order to view the imported item data, access the item overview of the catalog and call up an item. Extracted attributes can be recognized by the prefix ai_.