Data Conversion

Moving data from Point A to Point B.  How you get there is what Centerprise is all about.  From simple, straight forward copies to complex normalizing transformations, Centerprise provides the flexibility to get it done. 

Building Data Maps

A data map is the reusable transfer setting that contains the metadata of how Field A in Source 1 will map to Field B in Source 2.  These maps are light-weight and XML based as well as easy to create.  Centerprise has adopted a wizard based approach to creating these data maps.  Simply specify your source and then your destination's field structure.  Then visually, drag and drop between two field layout trees on the mapping screen.  When all of the lines are connected, you're done!  You can then save this mapping and reuse at a later time.

 

Data Transformations

If your data mapping is more complicated than just dragging and dropping one field onto another, Centerprise is equipped with several other mapping possibilities.  Besides field to field mapping, you have the option of:

• Code lookups for when you need to translate values based on a code. 
• Database lookups if codes are stored in a separate database table.
• Constant values.
• Expression mappings.  These are little bits of Astera Rules Engine functions you can write to manipulate data.

Running Transfers

Once you've created your data transformation mapping, running or executing a data transformation is as simple as clicking a "Play" button on a stereo system.  These data transformation mappings can be run as often as you like and from anywhere you have the Centerprise Data Integrator available.  As long as your client has access to all data sources involved in the mapping, you can execute the data transformation with only one click.  Centerprise then shows you the progress of your data transformation in real-time.  After it's done, you are presented with a very comprehensive log file detailing exactly where any record has failed.

 

Transfer Batches

All transfers in Centerprise are to a single destination.  To accommodate scenarios in which more than one destination needs to be written to, Centerprise has the concept of Transfer Batches.  A Transfer Batch is simply a collection of individual transfers.  These are necessary when more than one pass is needed in order to write data involving multiple sources and destinations.  In all cases, when multiple transfers need to run in sequence, they need to run as a Transfer Batch.

Pivot / Unpivot

In some cases, data needs to be normalized and de-normalized.  In other words, a single source record is sometimes required to be split into multiple destination records.  Conversely, sometimes multiple destination records need to combined into one souce record.  Cenerprise supports this by way of its Pivot / Unpivot feature.  While on the mapping screen, when defining a datamap, you can click on the "Mapping Properties" sub window to control the splitting and joining of records.