RE: data entry from excel workbook

I understand the need for restricted data types. I have a traffic cop that determines if the spreadsheets are of the type it can process and then call the appropriate process to update the database and sends a response to the user who dropped the file.

If you need any help or examples, you can contact me off list.

Marvin

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message: 6
date: Fri, 3 May 2013 15:40:20 +0000
from: Gary Thompson <gthompson@xxxxxxxxxxx>
subject: RE: data entry from excel workbook

Interesting.
More flexible and supports more users than our project.
Our current intention is to keep this narrowly focused and restricted to
a few well defined data items.
None of the robots currently in our warehouse have anything close to a
sense of humor.

-----Original Message-----
From: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Marvin Radding
Sent: Friday, May 03, 2013 9:34 AM
To: rpg400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: data entry from excel workbook

I have developed a process (thank you Scott) that allows the user to
create a excel spreadsheet, drop it into an AS/400 window, and received
the spreadsheet back with the batch number. The user then go onto the
AS/400 and posts the batch. I have also developed a process where the
actuaries provide the factors in spreadsheets that they also drop into a
window and the data is loaded into the database. This has become the
preferred method for the users who use the spreadsheets to calculate
massive numbers of figures that need to be loaded into the database. It
allows them to continue to use what they are familiar with and avoid the
numerous possibilities of human errors.

Marvin

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message: 3
date: Fri, 3 May 2013 13:17:27 +0000
from: Gary Thompson <gthompson@xxxxxxxxxxx>
subject: data entry from excel workbook

Strange this project should come up this week!

This week it became apparent we need to automate data entry to
maintain detail article dimensions and attributes to support a robotic
picking system we are starting to commission.

RPGLE, embedded SQL and basic API programming is our sweet spot. We
do have one person skilled in Excel macros and automation with VBA.

Our warehouse team is very attached to an Excel workbook and we need
to eliminate delays that occur in passing the workbook to a data entry
person (not always available to meet warehouse schedules), provide
data edits and error reporting, eliminate typing errors and make the
process much faster.

My question is what tool(s) do we use to consume the Excel workbook ?

We have been using for some time (and great effect) variations on
Scott Klement's DELTREE to process files on the IFS, and have seen
discussion of ways to read Excel files (don't see a need to
write/update but have not absolutely ruled this out).


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