Import Service

Suddensource Windows Service

Description

The Windows Service system carries out a number of automated tasks on a scheduled basis. Current Tasks are:

Import of budget data from a CSV file to Dream;
Import of data from a programming system into Dream;
Export of new contacts from the Suddensource CRM system to a text file, and import of mapping updates from a third-party CRM system.

The system It consists of three elements:

Windows Service

The Windows Service itself, which is installed on a server (or PC) which is also running the Dream program with the External DLL. This service does 4 things:

Reads an XML setting file to get the information necessary to post data to Dream from files on the network.
Checks that all folder and files required exist and creates them if not.
Imports and Exports the data and files for the services which have been configured.
Report serious system errors to the Windows Application event log.

Import DLL

Installed behind the scenes with both the above and the Service Control Program this DLL carries out the scheduled tasks as follows:

Budget Import

Finds the folder containing the Dream DLL files at the start of the process.
Checks if there is a budget for the specified transaction type, company, year, period and nominal (and accounts if present).
Deletes existing budget documents for the specified transaction type, company, year, period and nominal (and accounts if present).
Posts a new or revised budget for the specified transaction type, company, year, period and nominal (and accounts if present).
Resets the user's 'current folder' at the end if the process.

Programming Import

Finds the folder containing the Dream DLL files at the start of the process.
Gets a list (in memory) of new programmed events.
Checks the a Dream account exists for the event and if not adds it.
Adds a Dream entity record if missing.
Adds a parent event record in Dream if not already present (based on the first six letters of the programming event and a derived description).
Resets the user's 'current folder' at the end if the process.

CRM Import/Export

[to be completed]

Service Control Program

This is a downloadable ClickOnce application which allows users to:

Set the location of the settings file, log files and import folder.
Test and specify credentials for the Windows Service to use.
Set the options necessary for the tasks to be run, e.g. nominals for budget contra postings.
Test the service's process using the same procedures as the Windows Service.
Report serious system errors to the user.

CSV File Specification

System Requirements

Installation (Service Control Program and Windows Service)

Main Functions

Logging On

Screens in the Service Control Program: