The Basics

The Fourth Shift Data Export module (EXPM) enables the majority of information held in Fourth Shift to be extracted. Data extraction occurs according to a structured definition in a variety of useful formats including Microsoft Excel and Access file formats.The Data View definition screen(DVUD) enables definition of information you wish to extract from Fourth Shift.The record selection criteria which is a feature of the Data View Definition screen, enables you to select information according to definable criteria for example: ITEM=“PAPERCLIPS”. 5 batch process execution tasks (BEXE) provide the ability to extract information in common formats for example: Microsoft Access,Microsoft Excel and Dbase file formats.

Fourth Shift Data Export Module(EXPM)

Fourth Shift Data View Definition(DVUD)

Fourth Shift Access Extract Task(ACCX)

Extracting Data from Fourth Shift

​How to create a data view definition (DVUD)

Select a user definable name for your data view definition. Press ALT-F4 to browse
Master View - Press ALT-F4 to browse
Sub View - Press ALT-F4 to browse
Define your Record Selection Criteria
Press F8 for field selection §Make a field selection with ‘*’
ALT-M Mass selection to select all fields
Define your Record Selection Criteria
Use ‘all’ to select all records
F2+F3 for help

Help using Fourth Shift Data Export Information Paths is provided through Quick Reference and Online Manuals Library.The information in the system is accessed through predefined information paths. You select a general category (master view) and sub-category (sub view), such as ITEM: Inventory or ORDERS:PO Header. Data Export Information Paths is a guide to the information paths currently available for the system. The field length and field type for each data view field is also listed: D=Date C=Character N=Numeric. The guide provides explanation of views, screens, executable fields and field definitions from all perspectives. Data Export Information Path navigation options:

Data view detail: shows all fields available for master and sub views  
Screen: shows fields extractable from each Fourth Shift screen and which Master and Sub Views contain the field  
Extractable Fields by screen: contains extractable fields from each Fourth Shift screen  
Extractable fields definition list: provides an explanation about fields  
Remembered fields are shown with a asterisk (‘*’) in each information path. They are important when executing a batch execution task from a Fourth Shift™ screen (advance topic)

​How to create a data view definition (DVUD)

How to create a data export BSET line.The batch process execution (BEXE) tasks included in the Fourth Shift™ Data Export module:
 
DBSX – Dbase file format data export batch execution task
EXLX – Microsoft Excel file format batch execution task
ACCX – Access file format batch execution task
ASCX – Text Comma delimited file format batch execution task
PRTX – Text report style file  format batch execution task

Use the batch process setup (BSET) to define your batch execution task .Type in the task or if navigated to specific data export batch execution task will be filled in automatically. Press enter and arrow key up to show parameters associated with data export batch execution task:

Data Export Batch Execution Task Parameters
V<DVUD name> - Data View Definition name
D<path and file name> – Destination filename
T<table name> - Table name (unique to Microsoft Access)

​How to create a data view definition (DVUD)

Press F4 to ensure that the batch execution task parameters are valid
Press F8 for batch process execution (BEXE). Ensure you are happy with log and report destination settings 
Press enter to execute batch process
Check your batch execution task log file: <Process Log Directory>\log.<Process Id> 

Record Selection Criteria

Record selection criteria in Data View Definitions (DVUD)

Operators =,<>,<,<=,>,>=
Logical Expressions AND,OR
Literals with special characters *,?,!,\,” need to be preceded with \
Wildcards *,?,!(NOT)
Operators have a greater precedence than logical expressions. Use brackets for long expressions

Advanced Data Export

Pop up prompts

A @POP_UP keyword can be used in a Record selection criteria in a Data View Definition (DVUD). Use @POP_UP(“text”) to prompt for user input. For example  Item = @POP_UP(“Enter Item Number?”)

Batch process execution parameters​

A @POP_UP keyword can be used in a Record selection criteria in a Data View Definition (DVUD). Use @POP_UP(“text”) to prompt for user input. For example  Item = @POP_UP(“Enter Item Number?”)

Using Transaction codes

A @TRANS_CODE keyword can be used in a Record selection criteria in a Data View Definition (DVUD).Item-related transactions from the archive file and history can be extracted using @TRANS_CODE with following information  paths:

Item: History information
External: Archive data

The archive file provides a text file containing a transaction log of all Fourth Shift transactions processed successfully The = operator is the only related operator available for @TRANS_CODE

Fourth Shift Data Export Advanced Topics 

Get help with your Fourth Shift data  export requirements

Use CIM Customiser to interface with external systems

Use screen cuts to field selection criteria into a export process

Using BAMT and @Remembered fields to export from Fourth Shift screens