“Using Q/LinQ with Multiple Domains,” on page 117.
The Data Synchronization (DataSync) functions, previously available as a separate QAD product, have been incorporated into Q/LinQ in this release of MFG/PRO. The synchronization features of Q/LinQ have been enhanced to ensure that static data—such as sites, item numbers,
customer addresses, and GL accounts—exactly correspond among multiple domains in a single database as well as among multiple, distributed MFG/PRO databases.
The system captures data changes that are then transmitted to other domains and databases using Q/LinQ export and forwarding features. When the destination is another database, documents are published and sent using source Q/LinQ features and received, mapped, and processed using Q/LinQ in the destination database. When the destination is another domain in the same database, the process is streamlined. Documents in the source domain are published directly to the import queue of the destination domain, where they are mapped and processed to complete the table updates.
In a multi-domain installation with extensive sharing of master data, it may be necessary for particular database updates in each domain to be propagated to many other domains. To streamline the setup required to support this scenario, a new function has been added to Q/LinQ that lets administrators copy import and export specifications from any domain to their current working domain. This lets them create template
specifications that can then be copied and reused with only minor changes. The search logic Q/LinQ uses to find specifications has been changed to let administrators define more generic templates, also streamlining the setup process.
In addition, a number of Q/LinQ function have been enhanced to operate either for one domain or for all domains. This streamlines administration in a multi-domain environment where support for integrations is
centralized. For example, administrators can delete and/or archive documents across all domains.
¶ See Technical
Reference: Q/LinQ for
details about API changes.
To support QXtend Inbound, you can now specify the location of the QXtend server and indicate during import if a document should be processed using QXtend. Q/LinQ APIs have been enhanced with new methods to process the XML QDoc message format.
Key Features
Using the enhanced features of Q/LinQ, you can:
• Create synchronization profiles detailing tables and fields to be synchronized and share these profiles with all domains in a database. • Define one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many synchronization
relationships among source and destination domains in a single database or multiple databases.
• When synchronizing data, define lists of domains or external databases and associated domains to receive exported documents, rather than exporting separately to each.
• Use an adapter provided with Q/LinQ to communicate changes or choose any other Q/LinQ supported method to communicate changes for synchronization among databases: file write/read, Q/LinQ stream API, or Q/LinQ messaging APIs.
• Define default import and export specifications that apply to all applications and trading partners.
• Copy import or export specifications from a source domain to your current working domain, streamlining the creation of similar specifications.
• Execute Q/LinQ administrative tasks for one domain or all domains. This includes processing documents, reporting on documents, dumping documents to file, and deleting and archiving documents. • Import QDocs and process the XML messages generated from
QXtend Inbound.
New Programs
Table 1.7 lists programs added to Q/LinQ to support data synchronization and cross-domain administration.
Table 1.7
New Q/LinQ Programs
Modified Programs
The addition of domains to the database has affected most database tables and as a result, most programs in Q/LinQ. These changes allow the programs to find records based on a domain value. Otherwise, the way most Q/LinQ programs appear to the user and the way they function have not changed.
However, some Q/LinQ reports and administrative functions have been enhanced so that users can view and manage documents from multiple domains.
Menu Number Description Program Name
36.8.1.4 Export/Import Specification Copy qqspeccp.p 36.8.1.5 Export/Import Specification List qqspclst.p 36.8.8 Destination List Maintenance qqdalmt.p 36.8.22 Data Synchronization Setup Menu ...
36.8.22.1 Synchronization Profile Maintenance qqsypmt.p 36.8.22.2 Synchronization Profile Inquiry qqsypiq.p 36.8.22.3 Sync Table–Field Maintenance qqsytfmt.p 36.8.22.4 Sync Table–Field Browse qqbr030.p 36.8.22.8 Synchronization Mass Export qqsymsex.p
You will see changes to the interface of the programs listed in Table 1.8. Table 1.8 Q/LinQ Programs Modified for Domain
EDI ECommerce
EDI ECommerce is the advanced electronic data interchange (EDI) interface between MFG/PRO and third-party EDI communications or translator products, sometimes referred to as electronic commerce (EC) subsystems.
Business Need
The introduction of domains in this release of MFG/PRO means that separate business operations can now be managed in a single database. To take full advantage of this feature, EDI ECommerce users require the flexibility to have a single instance of that product import and export documents between multiple MFG/PRO domains and the EC subsystem. Additionally, users need the ability to reduce setup time by being able to centralize static EDI setup data and make it available to all domains.
MFG/PRO Solution
¶ See Chapter 5, “EDI ECommerce and Multiple Domains,” on page 173.The multiple-domain features of EDI ECommerce allow flexibility in how you can set up import and export processing.
EDI ECommerce has been updated in the current release to provide shared document import and export services across multiple domains while allowing single-point entry of a significant amount of common setup data.
Menu Number Description Program Name
36.8.10 Process Import Documents qqimprc.p 36.8.16 Export/Import Document Query qqbr.p 36.8.17 Export/Import Document Report qqierp.p 36.8.18 Dump Export/Import Documents to File qqwrt.p 36.8.23 Export/Import Document Delete/Archive qqrup.p