Part import

In this procedure you can import parts, BOM and routing, as well as annual budgets for purchase and sales as well as measuring data and part contents from text files. The procedure is mainly used to load/import new parts. But it is also possible to update parts that already exist in the part register.

If the part number that you import from the file already exist in the system, that part will be updated. For the parts you select which fallback values to use, their type and status, if they should be stock updated and load values from a selected part template. After the import it is also possible to synchronize new or both new and existing imported parts with a part template. This only applies to parts, not BOM and routing or annual budget.

For existing parts and material you can only import the part's standard unit. You cannot change unit, but you are able to add new alternative units in connection with the import. For new parts, the unit you enter will become the part's standard unit.
Existing parts are validated and updated only based on part numbers during imports. New parts must both have part number and name to be validated during import.
For supplier links you can modify prices from existing suppliers. This is only possible if the supplier number and the supplier's part number matches the ones already in the system. If the numbers differ, a new supplier link will be created.

If external data processing needs to be done before it is imported back into Monitor ERP, you can create a template in CSV format to help fill the import file. Please note that you use the format template when you create the import template.

If you have parts that you want to update, you can check Include parts from Clipboard, and once the template has been created, it will load the parts and the information from the selected columns.

In the Import file box you enter the path to the file from which you will import data. To start the import click the button Import in the toolbar. All data will be loaded to the list in the Loaded records box. You can manually add and delete rows. You can also filter to decide which rows to see. To complete the import you must check the box Include for the rows you wish to save and then click Save . When you save, the included rows will be removed from the list.

When importing a text field of rich text, you are able to create line breaks by using the <br> command.

If the file is coded in UTF-8, then Å, Ä, and Ö also work (if it occurs in part numbers). This is not possible if the file is coded in ANSI. If you save the file from Excel, you should use the alternative Unicode text rather than the alternative Tab-separated text file.

For parts, you can also import extra fields of the types called Text field, Integer, and Deciaml number, incase you are using such fields.

In addition to the parts you can also import BOM (bill of material) and routing (the order of the operations) for the parts. For bills of material (BOM) and routing lists you can either add operations and material to what already exists on the parts. The other alternative is to delete existing BOM/operations and only add the imported ones. This is determined with the settings Delete existing material and Delete existing operations.

The part type must be entered using digits in the import file. The meaning of the digits are: 0 means Purchased, 1 means Manufactured, 2 means Fictitious, and 5 means Service.

When you import bills of material and operations you can also create the main part to which the operations/materials belong. This is possible if the part number does not exist in the system already. Both part number and name for this main part must then be included in the file.

When importing operations, the default time unit in the system setting Time unit Time units are units used to indicate the setup and unit times at BOM and routing. Normally, minutes or hours are used. for setup and unit time for operations will be used. The unit is shown at the bottom of the box Default values when you select the type Operations. Queue time Queue time refers to time which is added to create a gap between two operations when the manufacturing order is created. It is normally stated in days, where 1 means the rest of the commenced day will be the "gap". 2 means the rest of the commenced day plus 1 full day will be the gap. For work centers with hourly planning, the queue time is instead entered in hours. The entered queue time will be added before the operation which has a value entered. is displayed in days or hours depending the settings of the work center.

When you import the type Annual budget – sales or Annual budget – purchase, the row number, part number, old annual budget, and new annual budget are shown. You also find a column called Difference %. Then all columns that you have selected to include in the current format template are shown.

If your customer sends a file containing Annual volume, you can import the file here. Select the import type Part, and create a template for this purpose with the columns Part number and Annual volume.

At the time of the import you can add measuring data to the part's operations. During the import you can select if existing measuring data should be deleted or not from the operation.

If a part has the same operation number on multiple operations you can use the Operation row index column to determine which operation should be affected by the import. This column can be added in a format template which you base on the Measuring data import type. Read more about format templates below.

If your supplier includes a file containing Part contents, you can import the file here. Use the import type called Part contents.

You can configure the format of the file at the time of the import. You can create a temporary format or a format template which can be used again. The function Format templates is found in the backstage of the procedure. There you can select for which columns data should be loaded/imported. For the content of the file you can also configure which limiters should be used as column limiter and decimal limiter. Furthermore you can enter a specific number of initial rows which should be skipped during the import.