Basic Steps to Using MDM Syndicator

Context

There are four basic steps to using Syndicator to extract and transform data from an MDM repository.

Procedure

1. Connect to a Source MDM Repository

When you start Syndicator, you must connect to an MDM repository before doing anything else. The repository you select at start-up serves as the source of all syndication maps created and/or executed during the Syndicator session.

For more information, see Starting and Connecting to a Repository linked below.

2. Define the Map

Syndication maps specify what source data is going to be exported, which remote system is going to receive the syndicated data, and how the data will be formatted when it gets there.

For more information, see Syndication Maps linked below.

3. Select the Records to Syndicate

Syndicator syndicates all records in the Records pane. To limit the set of records included in a syndication file, you can use the Syndicator search and suppress features.

For more information, see Selecting Records to Syndicate linked below.

4. Execute the Syndication

Once you execute a syndication, Syndicator prompts you for the file name and location where you want the syndicated records to be saved (if you are syndicating to a port, the name and location are provided automatically).

For more information, see Executing Syndications linked below.

Related Information

Starting and Connecting to a Repository [page 5]

Syndication Maps [page 10]

Selecting Records to Syndicate [page 80]

Executing Syndications [page 82]

1.1.1 Starting and Connecting to a Repository

A repository must be running in order for Syndicator to connect to it.

You can connect Syndicator to a repository using either an encrypted (SSL) or unencrypted connection, based on the listening mode of the Master Data Server on which the repository is mounted. For more information, see chapter Network and Communication Security in the MDM 7.1 Security Guide.

1.1.1.1 Starting Syndicator

Context

To start Syndicator and connect to a repository:

Procedure

1. Double-click the MDM Syndicator icon.

2. In the Connect to MDM Repository dialog, select the desired MDM repository, the language layer to work in, and enter your user name and password.

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Note

If an MDM repository does not appear in the list, you must add it by clicking Browse to set up the connection.

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Note

If a repository’s TCP/IP port number changes, you must re-add the repository as the old entry will load whatever repository is loaded on the old TCP/IP port.

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Note

The language selected in the Connect to MDM Repository dialog serves as the language layer from which data is displayed in the Records pane and syndicated from during the Syndicator session. MDM displays the current language in the title bar after the MDM repository name.

3. Click OK to connect Syndicator to the repository.

1.1.1.2 Setting Up Unencrytped Repository Connections

Context

To set up an unencrypted connection to an MDM repository:

Procedure

1. In the Connect to MDM Repository dialog, click Browse.

2. In the Choose Repository dialog, select the Master Data Server on which the repository is running.

If the Master Data Server has not been previously connected to by Syndicator, type the name or IP address of its host, or click Browse to select it from a list.

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Note

If the Master Data Server is configured to listen on non-"MDM default" ports, you must type in the port number after the Master Data Server name, using the format <ServerName:PortNumber> (for example, ServerXYZ:54321). Otherwise, Syndicator will be unable to connect to the Master Data Server.

3. Select the repository (you may have to click the Refresh button next to the Repository field to load the repository names).

4. Click OK to add the repository to the Connect to MDM Repository list.

1.1.1.3 Setting Up Secure Repository Connections

Context

To set up a secure connection to an MDM repository:

Procedure

1. In the Connect to MDM Repository dialog, click Browse.

2. In the Choose Repository dialog:

a. Select the SSL-enabled Master Data Server.

b. Click Secure Connection.

c. Enter the paths to the client Key File and SSL Library.

3. Click the Refresh button next to the Repository field and choose the repository you want to connect securely to.

4. Click OK to add the repository to the Connect to MDM Repository list.

5. In the Connect to Repository dialog, a lock icon similar to the one shown below indicates that communications with the selected repository will be established on a secure connection.

1.1.2 MDM Syndicator Main Window

The main window of Syndicator consists of the panes and tabs shown in the numbered callouts of the following figure:

1. Search Parameters pane 2. Records pane

3. Tabs pane 4. Status bar

The Search Parameters and Records panes are used to identify which records are to be syndicated, but most of the work in creating syndication maps is performed in the tabs pane.

1.1.2.1 Search Parameters Pane

You can use the search parameters pane to narrow down the set of records in the Records pane to just those you want to syndicate.

Related Information

Selecting Records to Syndicate [page 80]

1.1.2.2 Records Pane

The Records pane displays the current table’s records in a grid, with a row for each source record and a column for each source field. Records shown in this pane will be included in a syndication file, subject to suppression options in the Map Properties tab. The columns appearing in the pane are for display purposes only and do not affect which fields are included in a syndication file.

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Note

The maximum number of unique values that MDM can display in a single cell is hardcoded to 20. If the number of unique values for a field exceeds this limit , MDM Syndicator will display the first 20 unique values only and then display ... after the 20th value. However, if the field is mapped, all of its values will be included in the syndication, despite the limited display on the Records pane.

1.1.2.3 Status Bar

The status bar displays information regarding the number of destination items on the current map and the number of records returned by current search selections.

● <x> of <y> mapped (where <x> is the number of destination items on the current map that have been mapped to source items, and <y> is the total number of destination items)

● <x> of <y> records found (where <x> is the number of records on the current table which match the current search selection criteria, and <y> is the total number of records)

Also, when you select a menu command, a brief description of the command is displayed on the status bar.