DLR

The Planful suite includes built-in data integration functionality, which allows you to import your data.

A Data Load Rule (DLR) tells the Planful system how to handle data values in the data source during a data load. You can create data load rules to load files, copy and paste data, and use web services to load segment hierarchies, attributes, attribute hierarchies, entity hierarchies, users, Workforce data, currency exchanges rate and other data. There are several steps to create a data load rule. These steps vary based on source and target data options.

The first page you will see when you access the Data Load Rules page is the Data Load Rule List. Click the New Data Load Rule page and the Data Integration wizard will step you through the remainder of the process.

Types of Data Loads

The following methods for data import are available:

• Spreadsheet Based Data Load
• File Based Data Load
• Template Based Data Load
• Web/Cloud Services

Spreadsheet Based Data Load

Using this approach, your source data is first exported to Microsoft Excel and then copied on to the Planful browser-based spreadsheet interface through the copy/paste operation.

This approach is user-friendly and most commonly used, however, when the data volume is huge (i.e. above 60,000 records per data load), alternative methods are recommended.

File Based Data Load

Using this approach, your source data is first exported into a text /excel/csv file format. Then, through load mapping settings, load file setup is configured in the application. Lastly, the source file is setup to upload to the Planful application database.

If you set up a File based data load rule and later on want to load data via Web Services, instead of re-creating the entire DLR (Data Load Rule), you can simply edit it and change the Load Type to Web Services. This flexibility saves time and ensures consistency in loading data when the same DLR is used. However, it is very important and a best practice to complete all the steps in the DLR to effectively change the DLR type. Otherwise, the DLR will be rendered unusable.

You can switch between the types of DLRs:

• File Load
• Web Services
• Copy – Paste
• NetSuite Connect

For example, to change the load type from File to Web Services, click the DLR. Change the Load Type to Web Services and complete the remaining steps of Select Sample Input File, Define Overall Rule Settings, Manipulate Input File, Define Data mappings and Load Data for the changes to take effect.

Data Load Rules (DLRs) are automatically sorted alphanumerically. Sorting alphanumerically allows you to more quickly identify a Data Load Rule without scrolling through the lists.

If you sort on any column on the Data Load Rule List page, navigate away, and then return to the same page, the sorting is retained.

Template Based Data Load

Using this approach, data is loaded into the Planful suite via data input templates in which data is manually entered. Administrative users can design and publish the data input templates, which are then accessed by end users who input data into the templates.

This approach is recommended when the data needs to be loaded into the Planful suite from several disparate General Ledgers with significant dissimilarities in the chart of accounts and the data translation mappings from the subsidiary general ledger data to the common reporting chart of accounts do not exist or would be hard to create.

Web/Cloud Services

See the Admin Guide to Loading Data to Planful