Use this wizard to create a rule that imports report-file data from manufacturers not appearing in the B2B connectors list. Files must have a .CSV, .XLS, or .XLSX extension to be imported into the inventory database.
You can accomplish tasks related to the universal B2B import rule by using the various right-click menus.
About the right-click menus
In the DTS tree view, right-click the Universal B2B Import folder to access these menus:
Edit classes: A list of classes, or categories, DTS can currently import from a manufacturer-supplied report file into one of three places, as listed in the Import type column:
l Asset Control refers to classes (non-managed devices such as printers, monitors) imported into the Asset Control database.
l Computer refers to classes (such as computers, laptops) imported into the inventory database.
l Software refers to classes (software product licenses) imported into SLM.
The classes list is used mainly for reference. You can add a new class to the list, but it will be outside the import process until you contact LANDESK Software with a content request to add it. (Classes with this status are listed as "No" in the System column.)
Edit manufacturers: A list of manufacturers whose report files DTS can currently import into inventory;
used mainly for reference. You can add a new manufacturer to the list, but it will be outside the import process until you contact LANDESK Software with a content request to add it. (Manufacturers with this status are listed as "No" in the System column.)
Import part numbers: Enables you to import manufacturers, classes, or part numbers from an .XML file, which is useful in a multi-core environment.
Export part numbers: Enables you to export manufacturers, classes, or part numbers to an .XML file, which is useful in a multi-core environment.
NOTE: When you first create a universal B2B import rule, you'll see a dialog that asks if you want to upload your anonymous data (manufacturer SKUs, part numbers, and so on) to a LANDESK web service.
Click Yes to ensure that the universal B2B import will function efficiently. Unknown items will be uploaded to the web service and processed. If you run the rule again, any items that have been mapped will then be downloaded. If you click No, you will need to do this exception handling yourself.
About this page
Use this page to select what you want to import using this rule.
Import computers: Select to import computer data (such as part numbers, serial numbers, and so on) into the inventory database.
l Groups: A DTS group that will run after the rule has imported the computer data; useful for post-processing actions. For example, if you import a number of Dell systems, you may also want to get the warranty information. You can set a rule group to run that will retrieve the Dell warranty information after this rule completes.
l Only run group if device is created: If a new computer record isn't created when this rule is run, the selected DTS group will not run.
Import other devices: Select to import data about devices (such as printers, routers, and so on) into the Asset Control database. This data could include part numbers, serial numbers, and so on.
l Groups: A DTS group that will run after the rule has imported the device data, which is useful for post-processing actions.
l Only run group if device is created: If a new device record isn't created when this rule is run, the selected DTS group will not run.
Import software: Select to import software license data into the Management Suite software license monitoring (SLM) console.
About the data-source page
Use this page to select a data source containing the data you want to import.
CSV
l Filename: The full path of the file to import. If you're importing all files in a directory, enter the name of just one file that can be used to show columns.
l Headers in the first row: If column headers (names) are in the first row, select this check box.
l Load all files in directory: Processes all files with a .CSV extension. All files must have the same format and columns for this option to work correctly.
l Delimiter: The column delimiter used in the .CSV file, such as a comma or tab. By default, the delimiter is a comma.
l Use column numbers instead of names: Select this option if the names of the columns may change, but the data in them stays the same. This is useful if the file headers become localized.
l Character set: The format of the file's character set. U.S. English normally uses the default, which is ANSI. However, other languages need to use a different set to support their own characters.
Excel
l Filename: The full path of the file to import. If you're importing all files in a directory, enter the name of just one file that can be used to show columns.
l Sheet: The name of a single sheet in the Excel file to read data from. Each rule will read from only one sheet. Leave this option blank to read data from the entire Excel file.
l Load all files in directory: Processes all files with an .XLS or .XLSX extension. All files must have the same format and columns for this option to work correctly.
About this page
Use this page to match the columns in your file to the various identifiers used to import data for computers, devices, or software product licenses.
Part number/SKU: A required field; the manufacturer part number or SKU of the computer, device, or software product.
l Browse file button: Opens the .CSV or Excel file to help you match columns to identifiers.
Manufacturer: A required field; the name of the computer, device, or software product manufacturer.
Class: The class of computer, device, or software product (such as mouse, monitor, server, and so on) that is used if the SKU is unknown.
Description: A description for the computer, device, or software product, only used for help with exception handling.
Serial number: A required field if you selected to import computer or device data. Without the serial number, it's impossible to import this data.
l Multiple serial numbers in cell: If the computer or device has more than one serial number, select this option. The default separator between values is a comma.
Other columns with multiple values per cell: Click the Add button to open a dialog where you can select the other column(s) in the file that have multiple values per cell.
About this page
If you selected to import computer or device data, use this page to map each file column you want to import to a hardware-specific database attribute. Select a column and click the Edit button to complete the mapping.
At least one column must be set as the key, which is used to determine hardware product uniqueness.
By default, the serial number column is set as the key. You can change the key column, but it must always have an attribute mapping.
About this page
If you selected to import software license data, use this page to map each file column you want to import to a software-license-specific database attribute. Select a column and click the Edit button to complete the mapping.
At least one column must be set as a product key to determine the software product that the license data maps to. If multiple columns are selected, the columns are concatenated with spaces between them. By default, the part number/SKU column is always set as the product key. Each column designated as a product key must also be mapped to an attribute.
You also need to set at least one column as the import key to determine software product
uniqueness (for example, the purchase order number). Each column designated as an import key must also be mapped to an attribute.
Click the Set Description button to select a column for the software product description, which is used for exception handling only.
Finally, you must import the column for license quantity by mapping that column to the Software License.Quantity attribute.
Click the Finish button. Your new rule will appear in the B2B Connector > Universal B2B Import >
All Rules folder.