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Handling XML Transactions

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    Handling XML Transactions

    I am sure this cant be done in A5, but any information would be welcome.

    We currently work for a client that sends us info through individual emails that get printed and then manually datacaptured into an 5 system for brochure fulfilment.

    The clients new software supplier is now proposing sending the data as xml, directly into our database on an individual transaction basis and for us to "post" back a confirmation transaction.

    How can this be done, I am guesing that it would involve the use of SQL Transaction Server?

    Is this correct, am I looking at having to drop A5?

    I have done a search on the board for xml and it looks like there is a new function for dumping out a file, but they are quite specific in there requirements for us to import the data, how can we do this?
    Chris Tanti
    Technical Support

    Nuance & Fathom Ltd - The data-driven marketing agency

    #2
    RE: Handling XML Transactions

    I am sure this cant be done in A5, but any information would be welcome.

    A5 allows you to do a lot through its support of the Windows API; don't be so sure that "it can't be done", whatever "it" may be.

    We currently work for a client that sends us info through individual emails that get printed and then manually datacaptured into an 5 system for brochure fulfilment.

    Ick. :-)

    The clients new software supplier is now proposing sending the data as xml, directly into our database on an individual transaction basis and for us to "post" back a confirmation transaction.

    Okay. They would need to give you the schema for doing this, unless they're proposing you both move to a dot-Net platform, use SQL Server (or other dot-Net compatible ADO/ODBC client).

    Assuming your needs are relatively static, i.e., your client sends you the same format over and over again, all you get from this is a one-time not-having-to-set-up-your-format process, and a WHOLE bunch of overhead.

    >

    Something like that, yes.

    >>Is this correct, am I looking at having to drop A5?

    If you have no negotiating room whatsoever, probably.

    If the situation is just that you have to be able to accept an XML file and auto-import it into your database, then send back an XML response, you can probably pull it off in Alpha, or at worst write a helper program in some other environment that Alpha can invoke (or that can invoke Alpha).

    The thing to keep in mind, however, is what the client wants and what they're actually getting. They don't =want= XML, most likely, they don't know what it is.

    What they actually =want= is for the data to be auto-entered, and this entry to automatically noted in their own system.

    There are many, many, MANY ways to do this that don't involve XML. Most of these ways will involve a lot less overhead, too. And you could secure them better. And you don't have to scrap everything and start over. Etc. Etc. Etc.

    ===Blake===

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      #3
      RE: Handling XML Transactions

      Thanks Blake,

      We have discussed alternatives with the client, the fact is we do other work for them succesfully that involves .csv data files being sent to us, we have request a continuation of this method for this other project but I suspect that they will much prefer the direct xml route.

      Not sure where to go from here with A5!?
      Chris Tanti
      Technical Support

      Nuance & Fathom Ltd - The data-driven marketing agency

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Handling XML Transactions

        The only thing to keep in mind is that direct does NOT necessarily have to mean XML.

        A5 can receive e-mails, yes? It can parse, yes? Ergo, you can have it receive an e-mail and import directly.

        If it needs to be XML, then you can parse the XML and import it that way. You may have to go to the API to do it or find/build a DLL.

        But really--XML is a LOT of overhead, and you won't get anytihng for it.

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