Process (Catalog)

Here you can see the catalog process outlined in its four stages and have the option to configure status and automation settings.

Status settings

In the status settings, you determine the traffic light color in which a process status is indicated. The colour of the traffic light indicates whether the process was carried out without errors or whether warnings or errors occurred.

Change status settings

In order to change the traffic light color of a process step, proceed as follows:

  1. In the column of the respective process step and the row of the respective status, click on the desired traffic light color.
  2. Click on the Save button to save your settings or click on the Cancel button to dismiss them.

Automation settings

In the automation settings, you determine for each process step of the catalog whether the process start should be carried out manually or automatically. For particular process steps of certain catalog types you can also set up a scheduled process start.

Processing strategy

First introduced in version 5.6.2: Via the “Processing stragey menu”, you can specify a processing strategy for individual catalog process steps. The processing strategy determines whether all the catalog items are to be processed or whether the processing is limited to items which are either new or were changed since the last running of the respective process. Additionally, there is an automatic strategy where iPIM Supply descides which strategy to apply:

  1. In the column of the respective catalog process, click on the “Processing strategy” menu to unfold it. 
  2. Click on the appropriate strategy to select it:
    • Automatic: iPIM Supply decides which strategy is applied. Among other things, this depends on various catalog settings.
    • All items: All the catalog items are processed.
    • New and updated items: The processing is limited to items which are either new or were changed since the last running of the respective process.
  • In order to save your settings, click on the Save button . A success message is shown. The process strategy is now set.
  • In order discard your settings, click on the Cancel button .
Note
The processing strategy for the process step “Import” is set and can not be changed. The preset strategy depends on which import mode is set for a catalog.

Start process

Manual process start

In order to determine for a process step that is triggered manually, proceed as follows:

  1. In the column of the respective process step, select the option “Manual” from the “Process start” menu.
  2. Click on the Save button to save your settings or click on the Cancel button to dismiss them.
Note
If you switch a process step from an automatic process start to a manual process start, make sure to delete the automatic process start.

Automatic process start

Set up an automatic process start

By setting up an automatic process start, you can determine that a process step is carried out automatically as soon as a certain condition is met. For example, this can be that an import file was dropped in a hotfolder, or that a preceding process step was carried out.

For example, to set up an automatic import that is carried out once an import file was dropped in a hotfolder, proceed as follows:

  1. In the column of the respective process step, select the option “Automatic” from the “Process start” menu. Following this, the Create new configuration button appears.
  2. Click on the Create new configuration button to call up the corresponding dialog box.
  1. Enter a title in the “Title” field.
  2. Select a hotfolder from the “Hotfolder” menu. The hotfolder is the folder which is monitored wether a relevant import file is dropped there which in turn triggers the import.
  3. In the “File pattern” field, enter the name of the file which shall be imported automatically once it was dropped in the hotfolder.
  4. Possibly tick the following checkbox to activate the automatic process start.
  5. Specify how to proceed in case of missing attributes. To do so, select the corresponding option from the following menu. The options are the same as for the usual import configuration.
  6. Specify how to proceed in case of missing items. To do so, select the corresponding option from the following menu. The options are the same as for the usual import configuration.
  • In order to finish the process, click on the Save button. If the process was successful, a corresponding message will appear. The automatic process start is now set up.
  • In order to cancel the process, click on the Cancel button.
Note
The possible configuration options depend on the respective process type therefore deviate from each other.
INFO
You can set up multiple automatic process starts for a process step. To do so, click on the “Create new configuration” button again and configure the process start as described above.
Edit an automatic process start

In order to edit a configured automatic process start, proceed as follows:

  1. In the area of the configured process start, click on the Edit button to call up the corresponding dialog box.
  2. Make the desired changes.
  • In order to save your settings, click on the Save button. If the process was successful, a corresponding message will appear.
  • In order to cancel the process, click on the Cancel button.
Delete an automatic process start

In order to delete a configured automatic process start, proceed as follows:

  • In the area of the configured process start, click on the Delete button. If the process was successful, a corresponding message will appear and the configured process start vanishes.

Scheduled process starts

Via scheduled process starts you can configure process executions which are triggered in particular intervals, which are triggered by the completion of a process step in another catalog or which can be triggered manually in the “Schedules” tab.

Note
As of version 5.6.1, scheduled processes can only be saved if at least one scheduler was specified.
Set up a manual scheduler

For example, to set up a manual scheduler for an import via HTTP(s) download, proceed as follows:

  1. In the column of the respective process step, select the option “Scheduled” from the drop-down menu “Process start”. Following this, the Create new configuration button appears.
  2. Click on the Create new configuration button to call up the corresponding dialog box.
  1. Enter a title in the “Title” field.
  2. Possibly tick the checkbox below to activate the scheduler.
  3. From the “Scheduler” menu, select the option “Manual Scheduler”
  4. From the “Action” menu, select the option “HTTP(s) Download”.
  5. In the “URL” field, enter the directory path of the folder which contains the import file.
  6. From the “Authentification” menu, select an authentification method. Following this, the input fields for the user name and the password will appear.
  1. Enter the corresponding user name in the “Username” field.
  2. Enter the according password in the “Password” field.
  3. Enter the file name of the import file and possibly a placeholder for the date in the corresponding input field.
  4. Specify how to proceed in case of missing attributes. To do so, select the corresponding option from the following menu. The options are the same as for the usual import configuration.
  5. Specify how to proceed in case of missing items. To do so, select the corresponding option from the following menu. The options are the same as for the usual import configuration.
  • In order to finish the process, click on the Save button. If the process was successful, a corresponding message will appear. The scheduled process start is now set up.
  • In order to cancel the process, click on the Cancel button.
Set up a cron scheduler

Via a cron scheduler you can set up a scheduled process start that is triggered in certain intervals. For example, to set up a cron scheduler for an import via HTTP(s) download, proceed as follows:

  1. In the column of the respective process step, select the option “Scheduled” from the “Process start” menu. Following this, the Create new configuration button appears.
  2. Click on the Create new configuration button to call up the corresponding dialog box.
  1. Enter a title in the “Title” field.
  2. Possibly tick the checkbox below to activate the scheduler.
  3. From the “Scheduler” menu, select the option “Cron Scheduler”
  4. Enter a cron expression in the corresponding input field to define the schedule for the process execution: for example 0 45 23 * * * for a daily execution at 11:45 PM. 
  5. From the “Action” menu, select the option “HTTP(s) Download”.
  6. Configure the HTTP(s) download as described in the previous section.
  • In order to finish the process, click on the Save button. If the process was successful, a corresponding message will appear. The scheduled process start is now set up.
  • In order to cancel the process, click on the Cancel button.
INFO
A correct cron expression consists of six digits that are separated by blank spaces. The digits represent seconds, minutes, hours, the days of a month, months and weekdays.
Set up a process event scheduler

For example, via a process event scheduler, you can specify that the execution of a particular process step in a source catalog triggers the aggregation in the related Golden Record catalog. To set up such a process event scheduler, proceed as follows:

  1. In the column of the process step “Aggregation”, select the option “Scheduled” from the “Process start” menu. Following this, the Create new configuration button appears.
  2. Click on the Create new configuration button to call up the corresponding dialog box.
  1. Enter a title in the “Title” field.
  2. Possibly tick the checkbox below to activate the scheduler.
  3. From the “Scheduler” menu, select the option “Process-Event Scheduler”
  1. Configure the process event that triggers the aggregation:
    1. From the corresponding menu, select a source catalog.
    2. From the menu next to it, select a process step.
    3. Click on the Add button. Following this, a new entry appears in the table above.
    4. Possibly specify which status the selected process step needs to achieve to trigger the aggregation. To do so, set the corresponding traffic light color.
  2. Possibly set up further process events for additional source catalogs of the respective Golden Record catalog and configure them as described above.
  3. From the “Action” menu, select the option “Trigger process”.
  • In order to finish the process, click on the Save button. If the process was successful, a corresponding message will appear. The scheduled process start is now set up.
  • In order to cancel the process, click on the Cancel button.
Note
You can also set up process events for all the source catalogs of the respective Golden Record catalog at once. To do so, click on the “Source catalog” button. Though, for all the process events the process step “Approval” is automatically set and can not be changed.
INFO
Click here to find an example of how to create a process event scheduler.
INFO
By clicking on the button you can remove process events again.
Edit a scheduler

In order to edit a configured scheduler, proceed as follows:

  1. In the area of the configured scheduler, click on the Edit button to call up the corresponding dialog box.
  2. Make the desired changes.
  • In order to save your settings, click on the Save button. If the process was successful, a corresponding message will appear.
  • In order to cancel the process and dismiss your settings, click on the Cancel button.
Delete a scheduler

In order to delete a configured scheduler, proceed as follows:

  • In the area of the configured scheduler, click on the Delete button. If the process was successful, a corresponding message will appear and the configured scheduler vanishes.

FAQ

Basics

What is configured in the “Process” section?

This section outlines the catalog process in its individual stages. Here you have the option to configure status and automation settings for the individual process steps of a catalog.

Automation Settings and Processing Strategy

What can be configured in the automation settings?

In the automation settings, you determine for each process step of the catalog whether the process start should be carried out manually or automatically. For particular process steps of certain catalog types, you can also set up a scheduled process start.

What is a processing strategy?

First introduced in version 5.6.2, the “Processing strategy” menu lets you specify a processing strategy for the respective catalog process step, determining whether all the catalog items are processed during its execution or whether the processing is limited to items which are either new or were changed since the last running of the respective process.

Can I freely choose the processing strategy for the “Import” process step?

No, the processing strategy for the process step “Import” is set and cannot be changed. The preset strategy depends on which import mode is set for the respective catalog.

Configure Process Start

What do I need to keep in mind when switching a process step from automatic to manual?

If you switch a process step from an automatic process start to a manual process start, make sure to delete the automatic process start.

Can I set up multiple automatic process starts for a process step?

Yes, you can set up multiple automatic process starts. To do so, click on the New Configuration button again and follow the steps described above.

Scheduled Process Starts (Schedulers)

What are scheduled process starts used for?

Via scheduled process starts, you can configure process executions which are triggered in particular intervals, which are triggered by the completion of a process step in another catalog, or which can be triggered manually in the “Schedules” tab.

What prerequisite applies to saving scheduled processes?

As of version 5.6.1, scheduled processes can only be saved if at least one scheduler was specified.

What is a Manual Scheduler and what is it used for?

A Manual Scheduler sets up a scheduled process start that can be triggered manually in the “Schedules” tab.

How do I set up a Cron Scheduler, and what does a correct cron expression consist of?

From the “Scheduler” menu, select the option “Cron Scheduler” and enter a cron expression to define the schedule for the process execution, for example “0 45 23 * * *” for a daily execution at 11:45 PM. A correct cron expression consists of six digits separated by blank spaces, representing seconds, minutes, hours, the days of a month, months, and weekdays.

What is a Process-Event Scheduler and what is it suitable for?

Via a Process-Event Scheduler, you can specify, for example, that the execution of a particular process step in a source catalog triggers the aggregation in the related Golden Record catalog. To do so, a process event is configured in which a source catalog, a process step, and optionally a status to be achieved are selected.

Can I use a Process-Event Scheduler to set up events for multiple source catalogs at once?

Yes, clicking on the Add source catalog button lets you set up process events for all the source catalogs of the respective Golden Record catalog at once. In this case, the process step “Approval” is automatically set for all the process events.

Rights

The following rights are required to use the process configuration of a catalog:

Key Identifier Description
ipim-supply.catalogs.process iPIM Supply – Catalog process Right to call up catalogs respectively their “Catalog process” tab
ipim-supply.catalogs.process.settings iPIM Supply – Catalog process – Process settings Right to access the process configuratin and to configure process
INFO
  • In order to be able to access iPIM Supply, a user needs to be related to at least one supplier.
  • In order to make newly added rights effective for users outside of the regular synchronisation, you must carry out a master data synchronisation for users and roles. This can be done in the “Schedules” tab.
  • The identifier of rights are not shown correctly here as hyphens are shown as half square dashs. In order to search for a particular right in iPIM CC, copy the key to the clipboard and search for the key.